Naked Cashmere

The author Fran Lebowitz, who is no one’s idea of a voluptuary, once famously avowed, “I don’t believe in God. I believe in cashmere.” The merits of faith aside, the quote — from someone the Paris Review described as disapproving “of virtually everything except sleep, cigarette smoking, and good furniture” — speaks volumes about this legendary fabric’s abiding appeal. Indeed, even the curmudgeonliest among us are enraptured by cashmere’s coziness.  

Goat herders in Mongolia have been harvesting cashmere wool every spring for centuries, when mountainous goats descend to the flatlands of the Gobi Desert to shed their winter coats. The herders gently brush and remove excess fine hair, a process that yields a fibrous bounty that will be spun into the best yarn in the world. 

Like Fran Lebowitz, fashion industry veterans Leslie and Bruce Gifford have long been partial to cashmere. In 2016 they founded Naked Cashmere, making it their mission to source the most luxurious Mongolian yarn to create sumptuous sweaters and accessories. 

“When I first put on Naked Cashmere, I didn’t feel like I was anyone other than myself.”- Kate Moss 

As a direct-to-consumer company, Naked Cashmere can offer spectacular knitwear without relying on retail stores and the associated mark-ups, making cashmere available to almost anyone who appreciates the finer things in life. Case in point, the exquisite Spencer Gloves and Parker Scarf included in this month’s Vices box. 

“Finding great marketing partners is both challenging and exciting,” says Bruce. “We are fortunate to have found that kind of partner in Vices. Like Naked Cashmere they understand the upscale luxury lifestyle market, but do so with an eye on value.”  

Naked Cashmere prides themselves on working directly with the Mongolian goat herders to ensure all their cashmere is sourced responsibly. Their manufacturer is certified 100% organic, and all of their goats are raised on farms that eschew using chemical fertilizers, pesticides or genetically modified substances. Each and every herder in their employ undergoes animal-welfare training to ensure the goats are treated with the utmost care. 

Ratcheting up the social responsibility even further, Naked Cashmere guarantees to purchase 100% of the herders output every season, regardless of the ups and downs. Speaking of guarantees, they vow to use only pure cashmere, and keep detailed records that give them the ability to trace all cashmere fibers from herder to final garment. 

Legendary supermodel Kate Moss told the Los Angeles Times, “When I first put on Naked Cashmere, I didn’t feel like I was anyone other than myself. It was really amazing.” Other high-profile wearers of Naked Cashmere wares include Beyoncé, Selena Gomez and the Hadid sisters. 

“We could not be more excited to offer Vices subscribers the opportunity to own Naked Cashmere,” says Bruce Gifford. We wholeheartedly agree, and hope the scarf and glove set included herein makes you feel like you, and you alone... or like Kate Moss, for that matter. That sounds pretty fun too.