Are you like me in that you’ve seen cashmere yarn in the store, balked at the price tag and thought to yourself “I’ll never try that.”? Well I’m here to give a little prodding to say that its ok to splurge. It’s time to give cashmere a chance. Yes it is expensive but the fiber itself; my god is it soft!

Cashmere fiber comes from a specific type of goat, bred to produce soft downy hairs. And just like with Musk Ox, these goats can be combed for the luxury fiber and then spun into yarn. What is created is a soft, fine and yummy fiber that is irresistible. For fiber fanatics it is impossible to keep your hands off it.

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 Ahhh….the feel of cashmere!  Is there anything like it?  This incredibly soft and high quality cashmere is sourced and produced in a remote region of northwestern Mongolia which allows traditional Mongolian herdsman and knitters to sustain their centuries-old craft.  This helps them avoid pressures from cheap cashmere markets that lead to over-grazing and desertification. 

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Karen Stewart and Howard Brown, partners in life and work, call themselves “Organic Pioneers” because when they began in 2002 there wasn’t much demand for things like sustainable fabrics and eco-conscious style.  They decided to break out of the typical textile mold, had a vision for something greater and have undoubtedly been trailblazers in the industry. 

I was given an exclusive sneak peak of their Fall Collection which hits stores within the next couple weeks.  You can expect the same quality craftsmanship and romantic looks that are quintessential Stewart+Brown. 

Last week I had the opportunity to interview Howard Brown.  Check out the interview below…

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When I first read about husband and wife team behind Stewart+Brown, Karen Stewart and Howard Brown, I was inspired by their choice to create beautiful designs in a beautiful and sustainable way.

When I actually saw their line for the first time, I got that feeling that Carrie gets around shoes in Sex and the City. Forget the 401(k), I want the dress, the bag and the pants. When it comes to flowy, feminine and most importantly, flattering, Stewart + Brown has you covered. Their sophisticated sense of style is simultaneously relaxed and well-tailored.

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Hence, I am honored to introduce you to Thai designer Nunthirat “Koi” Suwannagate, who approaches her work through the prism of art. Each piece she designs is a completely unique, one-of-a-kind handmade garment, and reflects her own personal vision.

Koi has a thing for vintage cashmere and incorporates the recycled material into her collections. Her signature style is to hand-sculpt the cashmere into fabulous rosette appliques. She also designs with organic cotton and silk. The combination is a richness and superior softness that Koi says is the epitome of luxury and pure indulgence.

Koi’s talent to enhance and beautify the natural contours of the female body are obvious, but less emphasized in the press. I think it’s because each admirer is hypnotized over the construction details, and speak less of the drape that allows fluid movement and ultimate comfort. Yet the press is dishing loads of favorable reviews from the pages of W and WWD, Vogue, Bazaar, and much more.

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The musk ox is a large gentle creature similar in weight and stature to a buffalo. They have large curved horns and long shaggy hair and are more closely related to goats and sheep than to oxen. I first fell in love with these animals when I was researching the arctic a while back for work. For those of you that have watched the Planet Earth series you know how cute they are.

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