The timeless beauty of Cashmere

Some legends even claim that ancient Roman aristocrats displayed great affection for the wondrous fibres from the distant East, which offer an incredible softness and provide gentle warmth.

While it seems perfectly feasible that European merchants might have repeatedly come into contact with cashmere wool via the legendary silk road at an earlier date, evidence for a wider popularity among some parts of the Western nobility can be more easily found from the 16^th century onwards.

The “fibre of the kings”, as it was sometimes called, only truly became a household name in Europe towards the end of the 18^th century, however, in the wake of innovations in weaving technology. Ornate and extravagant cashmere shawls in particular were all the rage in the salons of Europe’s high society during the 19th century.

Patterns and styles changed and continued to evolve throughout the centuries, but the cross-cultural recognition that cashmere wool has unique and desirable qualities ensured its lasting legacy and attractiveness outside of the regions close to the Himalayas.

It is exactly the timeless elegance and luxurious feel of high-quality cashmere products that led the small team at Leodoro to make them one of the main pillars of their product offerings, in addition to their leisurewear collections.

In Leodoro’s family run business, a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law team focuses on creating their own exclusive collections of premium quality garments and accessories, including cashmere sweaters, cardigans, shawls, scarves and even cashmere slippers.

Round-neck, v-neck or turtleneck versions are available in a variety of classic and vibrant colours.

“I have worked with professional cashmere suppliers from inner Mongolia for nearly fifteen years and am confident that the cashmere products we offer in our boutique are of the highest quality. The 2-Ply cashmere sweaters in our collection can easily be worn for more than a decade, if handled and stored correctly. Since my mother-in-law Elke is a great cashmere fan anyway, I didn’t have to do a lot of convincing, once I showed her our supplier’s great quality.”, explains Oznur Stucken, Leodoro’s design & production director.

At a time where more and more customers are beginning to grow tired of fast fashion, returning to classic cashmere fibres appears to be much more than just the latest trend.

“A beautiful cashmere sweater or shawl are perfect gifts for those who value beauty, comfort and elegance. I don’t know a single person who would ever have been disappointed because they received a cashmere product as a gift.”, remarks Leodoro founder and managing director Elke Groos, with reference to the shopping woes some of us might encounter when trying to find that perfect gift for their loved ones right before Christmas.

At the newly opened Leodoro boutique in Almancil, customers can intuitively understand that they have come to a place that allows for a uniquely personal shopping experience, where one can be inspired and empowered in relaxed surroundings that support one’s overall well-being during the hunt for that perfect cashmere gift.

In a world where seemingly anything can be bought online, the Leodoro team’s decision to not open an online shop might seem surprising to some, but Elke highlights their overall strategy:

“We consciously made the decision to not have an online shop at the early stages of Leodoro’s development, in order to first properly establish the importance of the physical boutique environment in Almancil. Ideally our current and future customers will all appreciate the fact that our Leodoro boutique is not just a soulless point of sale, but a space that allows for people to really enjoy being there.”

Visitors to the beautifully renovated boutique will not only be impressed by the tasteful interior design that includes a sparkling chandelier, but also by the presence of a rather unorthodox sales assistant called Leo. Not only did this kind and congenial canine soul inspire the actual name of Leodoro, he also embodies positivity, natural grace and beauty.

“He is a very good boy indeed, although arguably a little bit spoiled. When it comes to his food and toy preferences, he constantly demonstrates his impeccable taste. If he were human, I am sure he would enjoy wearing one of our Cashmere sweaters.”, jokes Elke.

For those individuals tempted to buy their first piece of cashmere, but who may be a bit hesitant with regards to optimal product care, Oznur has some simple advice:

“When buying and wearing cashmere, especially if it’s your first time, I would suggest being particularly mindful when wearing individual pieces together with pointy or sharp metal accessories like wristwatches. This way you can protect the integrity of the cashmere fibres and can make sure that you can enjoy the maximum possible product longevity. For cleaning purposes, we recommend gentle hand washing or washing machine cycles that are suitable for delicate garments and are not hotter than 30ºC, together with a suitable cashmere care shampoo. And it never hurts to look at the care label for more information.”

Cashmere lovers can find the Leodoro boutique on the Avenida José Santos Farias 135 in Almancil, close by the Jardim das Comunidades and next to Arcadia Luxury Villas.

The boutique is normally open for business Wednesday to Saturday from 11am until 6pm, but in light of the festive season, it’s open every day until and including the 24th of December.

Contacts:

shopondemand@leodoro.pt

+351 919 903 040

Instagram: leodoro_fashion

Website: www.leodoro.pt

Address:

Leodoro

Avenida José Santos Farias 135
8135-167, Almancil