See, Loro Piana’s whole *thing* is sourcing the best, *rarest* materials. They talk about it all the time. Like, they’re practically orgasmic about “baby goats in Mongolia and northern China” and how these little guys give up a single ounce of ridiculously soft cashmere. A SINGLE OUNCE! It’s like, imagine needing, what, a dozen goats to make a sweater? Crazy.
And that’s where China (and Mongolia, let’s not forget Mongolia) *really* comes in. They’re not, like, churning out Loro Piana products in some giant factory – at least, not that *they* want you to think. Their whole brand image is about Italian craftsmanship and tradition and, y’know, that whole “made in Italy” allure. But… the raw materials? That’s a different story. The *source* of the magic, if you will, is often Chinese and Mongolian goats.
I saw this exhibition in Shanghai recently (thanks to the provided texts!), celebrating their centennial. Honestly, it felt a bit… complicated. Like, they were showcasing all this amazing Italian design and history, but the elephant in the room was kinda the fact that their supply chain is deeply intertwined with cashmere production in China. And that supply chain, as with any supply chain, comes with its own set of ethical considerations, environmental concerns, and general… complexities. You know?
So, is there a “China Factory Loro Piana”? Not exactly. But is China crucial to Loro Piana’s operation? Absolutely. They may not want to shout it from the rooftops, but without those cashmere-producing regions in China and Mongolia, their whole luxury cashmere empire would probably crumble. It’s more like a delicate dance, a careful balancing act between luxury branding, Italian heritage, and global sourcing. And honestly, it’s a little bit messy. But hey, what isn’t, these days?
