Perugia: Angora, Cashmere and Umbrian Knitwear
In 1928 a woman from Perugia had the idea of knitting fashion from angora yarn. Today the city is home to the designers behind the wool, cashmere and silk knitwear we carry.
Shop the Pieces
Angora, 1928
Luisa Spagnoli was born in Perugia, and with Francesco Buitoni she founded Perugina, the chocolate maker, in her home town. After the war she began breeding angora rabbits, and in 1928 she had the idea of using angora yarn for knitwear, from shawls and boleros to fashionable garments.
Wool, Cashmere and Alpaca
Much of the Perugia knitwear we carry is virgin wool, some of it blended with cashmere or alpaca: the Poise jacquard sweater in wool and alpaca, the Drift Fair Isle cardigan in merino, and the Drift cropped cardigan in wool and cashmere with contrast trim.
Cashmere and Silk, Made in Umbria
Other pieces are produced in Umbria, the region around Perugia that is called the green heart of Italy. The Frame sweater alternates raised cables with wide ribs in brushed cashmere and silk; the Column turtleneck is knitted in flat cables in cashmere and wool; and the Contour V-neck is ultralight cashmere and silk, fine enough to wear beneath a jacket.
Sources: Luisa Spagnoli, Wikipedia; Made in Umbria, designer's own history
