Iris von Arnim: The World of Timeless Cashmere

Iris von Arnim: Cashmere pieces for eternity

There are materials that you don't just see, but feel. Cashmere is one such material – a fiber that promises warmth, softness, and an unparalleled feeling of comfort. And there are designers who don't just use such a material, but understand its essence and bring out its soul. Iris von Arnim is the undisputed master of this art. Since the 1990s, she has been one of the key pioneers who have given German cashmere fashion a modern, international face.

With her clear, distinctive design signature, she has liberated the fine yarn from its conservative image and given it a new, deeper meaning. In her collections, cashmere is no longer just a symbol of luxury, but an expression of timeless elegance, intelligent durability, and an almost emotional connection between the wearer and the garment. An Iris von Arnim sweater is not a trend; it is a promise. Below, you'll learn why these pieces are so much more than mere knitwear, how they are created with the utmost care, and how you can continually reinvent them as faithful companions in your everyday life.

To Iris von Arnim

From pasture to knitted piece

Behind every piece by Iris von Arnim lies a philosophy of mindfulness that begins long before the first design sketch. The journey of the precious fiber starts in the heart of Inner Mongolia, on the vast, untouched steppes where the climate is characterized by extreme contrasts. It is precisely here, in response to the icy winters and hot summers, that the cashmere goats develop their exceptionally fine and dense undercoat – the warmest and softest protection that nature has to offer.

Iris von Arnim places the utmost importance on the ethical and sustainable sourcing of this raw material. The valuable undercoat is not sheared, but rather harvested using a traditional, gentle method. Once a year, during the natural shedding season in spring, it is carefully combed out by hand by the shepherds. This act of respect for the animal and the rhythms of nature is a non-negotiable cornerstone of the brand.

Before the fiber continues its journey, it undergoes rigorous quality control. Only the longest, finest, and purest fibers pass this check. This is followed by a refining ritual: the fibers are gently cleansed in a bath of precious camellia oil. This process not only preserves their natural suppleness but also enhances it. After this bath, the yarn is meticulously carded (combed) to perfectly prepare it for spinning.

Originating in the rugged landscape of Mongolia, the refined yarn journeys to its second home: a specialized, family-run manufactory in Northern Italy. Here, where the art of knitting has been perfected over generations, traditional craftsmanship meets cutting-edge technology. Experienced "Maestri"—masters of their craft—receive the yarn and transform it into finished knitwear with almost meditative precision. Every single stitch is placed with absolute accuracy, edges are hand-linked, and each sweater undergoes numerous quality checks. This unbroken chain of care—from combing the fiber to the final seam—is what you ultimately feel against your skin: the incomparable, cloud-soft feel and the perfectly even, flawless stitch structure that makes an Iris von Arnim garment a companion for eternity.

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