The Fibre
ABOUT THE NOBLE FIBRE
It’s called the noble fibre, and sometimes the diamond fibre. Lustrous, resilient and offering exceptional colour reflection, mohair has become a symbol of luxury and exclusivity.
Mohair is the fleece of the Angora goat, and it’s one of the world’s most beautiful sustainable natural fibres.
South Africa is the biggest global producer of mohair, producing approximately 50% of the world’s mohair. Most of South Africa’s Angora goats are farmed in the Karoo area of the Eastern Cape.
Angora goats thrive in the Karoo, with its combination of hot, dry summers, cold winters and semi-desert vegetation. In the pursuit of perfection, their fleece has been refined through consistently high breeding standards and meticulous genetic selection. Angora goats are shorn twice a year and are not harmed in any way during the process.
This combination of best practice farming and best environment for Angora goats sets South Africa apart from other Mohair-producing countries. South African mohair is globally acknowledged as one of the finest natural fibres money can buy.
The added beauty of mohair is that it is a natural, renewable resource, providing a sustainable production chain between animal and human while contributing to the long-term prosperity of the Karoo region.
Unique Qualities
Uniquely resilient, durable and beautiful.
Mohair is a versatile and luxurious fibre that is coveted by the world’s fashion industry elite, as well as interior designers, craft specialists, industrial fibre specialists and the tourism sector.
However, mohair offers more than exceptional beauty and luxury. The fibre holds a number of rare, natural qualities, including:
Lustre
Mohair’s natural lustre gives garments a silky sheen. It’s the ideal garment to wear day or night.
Lightweight
Mohair fabric is luxuriously lightweight and renowned for its versatility, staying cool in summer and warm in winter.
Dye-responsive
Mohair responds magnificently to dyes, retaining even the most brilliant colours over time.
Climate control
Mohair breathes naturally, absorbing and releasing atmospheric moisture and controlling its own ‘climate’ to ensure optimal comfort.
Durability
Because of its pliability, mohair is rated as one of the world’s most durable fibres.
Crease-resistant
Products made from mohair have an innate elasticity, which ensures that they hold their shape and do not crease.
Non-flammable
Mohair is virtually non-flammable, keeping you safe and chic all year round.
The Mohair Mark
A symbol of ultimate luxury
The Mohair Mark has been developed to help consumers select products that contain only the highest quality natural mohair fibre.
Display of the Mohair Mark is a commitment to excellence. It is a symbol of authenticity and luxury that should be treated with respect and worn with pride.
To apply to use the Mohair Mark on your mohair products, click here to fill in and submit the application form.
The Process
From farm to fashion.
Shearing
Clipping the mohair fleece from the Angora goats twice a year, either by hand or with electric shears. The animals are not harmed in any way.
Classing
Sorting the mohair into various lengths, fibre diameter and quality types. Meticulous classing adds value to the product.
Scouring
Washing the mohair to remove excess dirt and oils.
Carding
The mohair fibres are positioned in uniform lengths and most of the vegetable matter is removed. A sliver or coil of mohair, called a ‘carded sliver’, is produced.
Combing
The remaining vegetable matter and shorter, irregular sized fibres are removed from the carded sliver to transform the mohair into the soft, luxurious Mohair ‘top’.
Spinning
Converting the mohair top into yarn. The top is spun into a yarn specified for structure, thickness (yarn count) and surface. Mohair yarns are often twisted or brushed (raised) for a fluffy appearance.
End Product
Dyeing
Products can be dyed after combing (top dyeing), spinning (yarn dying) or weaving (piece dying).
Weaving
Yarn is used to manufacture worsted or woven cloth.
Knitting
Yarn is knitted into panels for garment production or circular-knitted for socks.
Product Care
Maintaining the beauty and longevity of your Mohair products.
Mohair care and helpful hints.
With its delicate appearance, it is often a surprise to discover just how durable and hard-wearing mohair can be. As with most luxury fibres, however, mohair requires proper handling to ensure that it lasts and maintains its beauty over time.
• Store garment in a cool dry place. Do not store in plastic.
• Do not spray perfume directly on garment, especially if it is white.
• Do not keep knitted mohair garments on hangers. Fold and store on a shelf.
• To fluff up garment, lightly shake or gently brush down by hand.
How to wash mohair.
Your mohair item can be cleaned by a reputable dry cleaner or you can wash it yourself by following these simple steps.
• Soak in tepid water using mild detergent recommended for washing wool, or even hair shampoo.
• Very gently agitate by hand to dislodge dirt particles. Do not agitate unduly.
• Rinse in clean, cool water. A small amount of fabric softener can be used if desired.
• Hang or lay flat to dry (mohair dries quite quickly). When dry, a brisk shake or brush (with a stiff hair brush) will restore the pile. Gentle coaxing, rather than firm strokes, is advised to ease out tangle and create the downy pile for which Mohair is renowned.
• Do not tumble dry.
Washing your mohair carpet.
Carpets, being of natural hair, are best washed with soap and water. A large carpet can be put on a deck or patio, soaked wet with a hose pipe and washed with warm water, hair shampoo or Woolite, and a soft scrubbing brush. Rinse well with a hose pipe and leave to dry over a railing, a wall, or a garden table and some chairs. Choose a warm and windy day and your carpet will be dry within 24 hours. After washing, the carpet may appear a bit une-ven in texture, but within a few days of walking on it, it will look smooth and new.