Here’s what ‘renoa’ — the first new fiber in 25 years — feels like
Sometimes it seems like everyone — and every occasion — demands cashmere these days.
Numerous brands sell cashmere sweaters, from Bruno Cucinelli’s $7,900 cable knit cardigan to Quince’s $50 crewneck. Menswear company Loro Piana has made cashmere a cornerstone of its lineup, helping to drive the LVMH division’s valuation above €11 billion. There are even cashmere running shirts.
But as cashmere has spread throughout the fashion industry, it’s not for everyone. It’s still relatively expensive, hard to care for, and environmental fraught. The goats that produce cashmere have been trashing rangelands across Central Asia.
That may change, though. I recently experienced an alternative fiber called renoa, developed by a startup called Everbloom, that’s washable and promises to be more affordable. It could bring the cashmere experience, via a substitute material, to more products and people.
Renoa is made from sources of waste protein, including cashmere and...
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