• Posted on

Sustainable Cashmere: What Does It Mean?

Sustainable Cashmere: What Does It Mean?

Sustainable and cashmere are two words you don't often hear together.
Yet at Backbone, they play a crucial role. Why? Because despite a global awareness of waste and unfair labour practices, we are still bombarded with countless fast fashion chains and multiple new must-have collections every season.

Fortunately, in recent years there has been growing attention for making the fashion industry more sustainable. Investing in investment pieces that you can wear all year round and that never go out of style is a step in the right eco direction. A way to take matters into your own hands and do your bit for a better world. And cashmere is, by its very nature, a wonderfully sustainable product.

4 reasons why cashmere is a sustainable product:

  1. Cashmere suits every outfit and occasion.
    Cashmere is an incredibly supple material and comes in a variety of shades and patterns.

2. Cashmere is gentle on your skin.
Where various types of wool can cause itching, cashmere does not. When you wear cashmere, you're guaranteed 100% itch-free comfort — even against bare skin.

3. Cashmere suits every season.
Since cashmere is insulating, it's pleasantly warm in winter and wonderfully airy in summer. A perfect accessory for every season.

4. Easy to care for.
Once you know the tricks, it's surprisingly simple to keep your cashmere scarf looking as good as new for years to come.

As you can see, a BACKBONE cashmere scarf is a sustainable investment. You buy it for life!

Discover the BACKBONE cashmere scarves here

Producing cashmere sustainably

The sustainable production of cashmere is still very much a work in progress. Cashmere goats live in semi-arid climates — something we in the Netherlands and Belgium can only dream of. Replicating their natural habitat here would theoretically be possible, but would be far from sustainable due to the enormous energy consumption it would require.

The vast majority of the world's cashmere comes from the Kashmir region in India, Pakistan and China. Today, cashmere goats are also kept in other countries such as Australia and New Zealand to meet the global demand for this precious product.

At present, there is no alternative to importing cashmere from Asia or Oceania. It therefore always travels a long way before arriving in Europe. That also calls for careful packaging to ensure the precious material survives the journey unscathed.

Water waste management

To minimise our environmental impact, we choose production facilities that take the environment seriously. One of our greatest concerns is the way producers handle water and water waste.

Our partners in Asia have a clear water waste management plan. This means, for example, that the wastewater from dyeing the wool is not simply dumped into a nearby river.

Many small steps together make one giant leap

We firmly believe that 100% sustainability is achievable in the long run. Continuously improving production processes is a step in the right direction towards meeting the demand for cashmere in a more sustainable way.

Even if they are often small steps, together they add up to significant progress over time. BACKBONE is proud to contribute by keeping every choice and decision in the light of sustainability — even after the products arrive in the Netherlands. From packaging to shipping!

When you purchase a BACKBONE scarf, we pack it in a beautiful, functional box — a real eye-catcher. Where we previously added tissue paper to protect the scarf during shipping, we now opt for beautiful dustbags. These dustbags can be used again and again — not just for your scarf, but also, for example, when travelling and wanting to pack a beautiful dress.

The BACKBONE mission

Our mission is to provide you with a sustainable cashmere scarf that effortlessly transitions from everyday use to a weekend accessory or a special occasion. We choose beautifully coordinated colours and timeless collections.

We deliberately choose not to launch a new collection every season. This also keeps your decision fatigue to a minimum — you never have to rush to buy a particular colour or style for fear of missing out on the latest trend. Our cashmere scarves are always available in a range of shades. They wait patiently until you place them in your shopping basket.

As you can see, BACKBONE stands not only for slow fashion and a beautiful, high-quality product made from sustainable cashmere. We also actively contribute to a cleaner world!

Read Also

See all Blog
Cashmere Scarf in Summer
  • Posted on
Cashmere Scarf in Summer
Four ways to wear your cashmere scarf in summer 1. Wonderfully wrapped:cashmere as a wrap Summer! As soon as the sun is in the sky, we celebrate everything there is to celebrate: outdoors!Picnicking with the kids, barbecuing in the garden, or dancing at a beach party.Unfortunately, as the evening sets in, not only does the sun go down — so does the temperature.Perfect for this is the large cashmere scarf, a generous two metres long and seventy centimetres wide, which you can wrap yourself in completely during those late-night hours.  Cashmere is insulating, making your wrap feel as though it has magical powers.Drape your scarf over your shoulders or across your legs in time. This way you keep the warmth of the sun's rays captured for hours. Because the large cashmere scarf is still lightweight, it's ideal to take on holiday. Choose one in a cheerful, vibrant colour and blend right into Mediterranean or tropical vibes. How stunning is the Blushing Pink ? Recommended as a wrap: large cashmere scarf 200 x 70 cm  2. The elegant cashmere stole Are you wearing a sleeveless or strapless dress to a ceremony or formal occasion? As feminine as it is, at formal gatherings or in a church it's more appropriate to cover your shoulders. It's a truly classy choice to use a scarf from the featherlight collection as a stole. These have no fringe at the ends and the fabric is slightly sheer: sexy and festive! The delicate fabric drapes elegantly around your shoulders. For weddings, pastel shades such as featherlight nude, featherlight brown or featherlight terra are favourites. THE biggest benefit for you: with a cashmere stole you'll never be shivering or sweating. Even if that romantic castle turns out to be a touch too chilly, you'll keep smiling radiantly. Tuck your stole away safely during the reception that follows. Tip: use the dustbag, which we include free with your order, as a protective (inner) bag. Trust us — you'll thank yourself forever for it, if someone next to you — just to name something — knocks over a glass of red wine… Recommended as a summer cashmere stole: featherlight collection 230 x 100 cm 3. Cashmere on your head Yes indeed, in summer we happily wear wool on our heads. It protects your head and hair from the blazing sun, from blowing dust and sand. Too warm? On the contrary! Cashmere wool breathes. The fine fibres wick away moisture, keeping your head feeling cool. Those same fibres are also absorbent. So wear your cashmere scarf as a bandana, loosely around your head with a simple knot at the back. Let the ends flutter playfully down your back, together with your loose hair. Do you prefer to put your hair up, or do you have short hair? Then you might be the 'turban type'. Here you tie the ends of the scarf at the front and tuck the loose ends away creatively. Did you know that among devoted turban wearers, quite a bit of cheating goes on with a volumizer cap? It makes it look as though you have an enormous head of hair hidden under your scarf… Cashmere is a favourite among Muslim women who wear headscarves. Optionally combined with an undercap, the sheer featherlight scarves create an enchanting, Ibiza-like effect. Always keep in mind: however strong and long the cashmere fibres are, too much fiddling won't do your scarf any favours. And pins in your scarf are definitely not our thing. Instead, use clothing magnets. Click, and your creation is complete!  Recommended as a bandana or turban: small cashmere scarf 180 x 30 cmRecommended as a headscarf: featherlight collection 230 x 100 cm 4. Layering is living — cashmere scarf becomes a poncho Honestly, many Dutch summer days are rather unpredictable. One moment there's a splash of rain, the next a cloud drifts in front of the sun… We call those 'layering days'. In the morning the cashmere scarf works as a summer poncho so you don't arrive at your destination shivering on your bike. If you're having lunch outside in your crop top in the afternoon, you can transform your cashmere scarf into a matching bandana top in no time. How does that work in terms of colours? We prefer tone on tone. This means every item you wear has the same colour tone, even if the exact shade differs slightly. We often spot Queen Máxima doing the same. If you go for light tones, combine them with the large cashmere scarf in pearl white or silk/cashmere ivory. This gives you a summery layered look with ultimate comfort. How lovely that your cashmere scarf, floating loosely over your top, creates a polished look at the office. That extra layer is also ideal when the air conditioning is a touch too cold. Is it five o'clock? Then head straight to the terrace and tuck your scarf away (in that handy dustbag, of course) in your bag. Because the material is so thin, it takes up far less space than, say, a summer jacket. Recommended as a poncho: silk/cashmere collection 193 x 66 cm and large cashmere scarf 200 x 70 cm
Cashmere Scarves in Summer: Luxury and Comfort in the Heat
  • Posted on
Cashmere Scarves in Summer: Luxury and Comfort in the Heat
Do you automatically think of winter when you think of cashmere? You don't have to! Cashmere scarves can also be a wonderful addition to your wardrobe in summer. Here are a few reasons why and how you can wear a cashmere scarf in summer to combine both style and comfort.
Washing Cashmere: Do or Don't?
  • Posted on
Washing Cashmere: Do or Don't?
Have you ever seen a sheep or a goat washing itself with shampoo? The very idea! It's rather amusing that humans are the only 'animals' that use soap products. We've become so accustomed to it that we only consider something clean if a cleaning product has been involved. We'd like to gently change that idea: the very best thing for your cashmere scarf is not to wash it. Not with water, not with soap — ideally not at all! Cashmere is a natural product. The goat hair is naturally resistant to grease and water.
What is Cashmere? Discover Luxury and Comfort
  • Posted on
What is Cashmere? Discover Luxury and Comfort
Cashmere is a luxury type of wool that features prominently in the collections of Backbone, both in winter and in summer. It's important to understand what cashmere is and why it is more expensive than sheep's wool.