Luxury Fibre & Fiber Market: Trends, Prices & Forecast

With increasing affluence around the world and a growing fascination with luxury clothing, luxury fibres are set to thrive in the worldwide textile and apparel market. Two of the most popular luxury fibres include cashmere (or cashmere wool) and down (or down feather).

Cashmere is a fibre obtained from goats, principal among them the namesake cashmere goat. It is considered one of the most luxurious fabric types in the world and is prized for its softness. This softness enables it to be used widely in clothes that stick close to the body, such as underwear and shirts.

Cashmere benefits from having no or limited alternatives. Even supposed alternatives like merino wool often have some degree of cashmere blended into the yarn. Its lightweight quality and fine feel are hard to replicate and thus it is sought after heavily in the textile industry.

The use of cashmere is widespread in winter wear, as the material allows excellent heat retention properties. Winter applications of the material include sweaters, socks, scarves, and thermal gear. Cashmere is especially prominent in luxury gowns, dresses, blazers, and more because of its considerable drape and is used to impart glamour to clothes.

Down fibre is an exceptionally soft fibre derived from the feathers of birds. In addition to its very soft feel, down fibre is also a good thermal insulator. It is thus used prominently in padding for clothes such as jackets.

Among the textile applications of down fabric are jackets, vests, and sweaters. The home textile applications of the material include pillows, mattresses, and bedding. The light and comfortable nature of this fabric makes it popular among both consumers and textile manufacturers.

Cashmere production is concentrated in the area where cashmere or pashmina goats are reared in high quantities. Hence, China and Mongolia are the leading countries in the world for cashmere production. China is also at the top when it comes to down fabric production.

TexPro provides comprehensive cashmere and down fabric pricing data, eliminating the need to consult multiple sources or tools. Historical costs are broken down day-by-day, current prices are also updated daily, and there are even forecast prices to aid decision-making. Sourcing teams are thus able to take decisions quickly, making procurement easier.

Cashmere and down fabrics have both come under scrutiny for animal cruelty practiced in their production. However, manufacturers and retailers are now taking concrete steps to ensure the production of these fabrics is ethical. Hence, the production of down and cashmere is becoming more transparent, making the material even more attractive in textile production.