iTNGife,

What Puts the Cash in -
Cashmere?

It's the labor-intensive handwork that
makes cashmere so expensive. The best
garments are made from fibers that are
hand-combed, washed, dehaired and
dyed. They're spun mechanically, but
ultimately hand-knit. Seams are linked
stitch by stitch by an expert in the art
and the finished garment is individual-
ly inspected to insure perfection. In
addition, check out the following cost
considerations:
* It takes one cashmere goat four
years to, grow enough fleece for one
sweater.
* The yarn is so fine that it takes
seven miles of it to make one sweater.
* All cashmere is not created equal.
Value is a combination of price and
quality. Let your fingers tell the differ-
ence.
* European and Scottish manufac-
turers use Chinese cashmere, but can-
not afford to include the amount of
labor that goes into the finished detail
included in a Chinese sweater.
* Two-ply is more even and stronger
than single-ply and it drapes better. But
increasing the plys beyond two does
not increase the quality, just the weight.

Trinity® Watch*

Yellow, white and rose

01 997 Confer, Inc.

separating the
fine down in
the goat's fleece
from the coars-
er outer hairs.
This break-
through shifted
the cashmere
manufacturing
to scotland.
They say it's
the Scottish
river water that
adds an extra
element of
softness to the
sweaters.
Recently,
Red polo sweater,
however, the
$24-5, Brooks
business of
Brothers; Claret
cashmere has
plaid scarf, $175,
shifted back to
Burberrys.
China, the
place of origin.
Having
imported the latest technology, China
is now the major source of high quali-
ty cashmere knitwear.

'Design Potent Pending

LUXURY from page 50

18K gold interlocking rings.

Bordered by pave-set diamonds.

Authorized Cartier Agency

Classic vs. Cutting-Edge

Crewneck sweaters, fringed plaid
scarves, argyle cardigans and hand-
knit socks are all traditional staples in
a cashmere collection. Add a V-neck
and a polo sweater to the mix for a
tried-and-true Brooks Brothers look.
Classic colors range from black and
ivory to charcoal, navy and red. But
this year, cashmere goes trendy in
vibrant colors, bold patterns and
weaves. Combined with a touch of
Lycra, the fiber becomes ultra-alluring
in halter tops, ribbed tanks and body-
hugging dresses. Couture colors
include lavender, amethyst, lemon and
nectarine.

Cashmere Care

Most experts recommend dry-clean-
ing, but choose your dry-cleaner
wisely, as certain chemicals can strip
cashmere of natural oils. Wesch
Cleaners on Woodward Ave. in
Birmingham is expert at handling
luxury fabrics and their cleaning flu-
ids are odorless. Otherwise, hand-
wash cashmere in cold water with a
non-detergent soap for no more than
10 minutes. Rinse well, then roll in a
white absorbent towel. Reshape and
dry flat. Do not store in plastic bags.

— All merchandise from the Somerset
Collection, Troy.

SCilu aliESOT

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1997

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