Rare Fibers Used in Vonoz Shawls

At vonoz, we believe that a shawl should be more than soft — it should tell a story. While our foundation is pure, traceable cashmere, some of our most extraordinary creations are elevated through the careful use of rare and historic fibers.

These materials — some nearly forgotten, others simply too precious for mass production — are not chosen for novelty, but for meaning. Each one adds nuance, tactility, and symbolic depth to the art of shawl-making.

Byssus – The Sea Silk of Ancient Civilizations

One of the rarest materials ever spun into yarn, Byssus (also known as sea silk) is derived from the long silky filaments secreted by the Pinna nobilis clam in the Mediterranean. In antiquity, it was reserved for royalty — shimmering in sunlight, weightless in the hand.

At vonoz, we have worked with Byssus in select bespoke shawls, where its golden sheen is used sparingly to enhance handwoven patterns. Its use reflects our respect for textile history and our commitment to reviving lost luxury, ethically and sparingly.

Vicuña – The Andean Treasure

Native to the high Andes of Peru and Bolivia, the Vicuña is a wild relative of the alpaca. Its fiber is considered the finest in the world, averaging just 11–13 microns in diameter — even finer than the best cashmere.

Due to strict regulations and conservation efforts, Vicuña wool remains rare and expensive. vonoz occasionally incorporates small quantities of certified Vicuña fiber into exclusive shawls, adding unmatched softness and a subtle luster.

Qiviut – Arctic Warmth Reimagined

Qiviut is the downy underwool of the musk ox, native to the Arctic regions of Alaska and Canada. Light, warm, and unusually strong, it retains heat even when wet — a natural marvel.

While rarely used in traditional Kashmiri weaving, we have reimagined its place in contemporary cashmere craftsmanship. In our Nepali atelier, qiviut is sometimes blended into limited-edition shawls that pay homage to the resilience of Arctic and Himalayan traditions alike.

Lotus Fiber – A Meditation in Material

Harvested from the stems of the lotus plant, this rare fiber is extracted and spun entirely by hand in parts of Myanmar and Cambodia. Revered for its spiritual symbolism and peaceful texture, lotus fiber is often used in meditation robes.

At vonoz, we incorporate lotus fiber for its meaning as much as its feel. It is light, breathable, and delicate — a perfect complement to the softness of cashmere in select shawls focused on stillness, purity, and restraint.

Wild Silks – Eri and Tussah

Unlike mulberry silk, eri and tussah silks are harvested without killing the silkworms — making them both ethical and texturally unique. These wild silks offer a more matte, slightly nubby finish that blends beautifully with cashmere’s softness.

In the hands of our master artisans, these fibers are sometimes woven into the warp or used in highlights, creating subtle contrast and character. Their use affirms our belief in slow, responsible luxury.

Gold & Silver Lahn – Threads of Time

In some of our most elaborate creations, vonoz incorporates Lahn threads — traditional yarns spun with real gold or silver filaments. Historically used in ceremonial garments and royal court textiles, these threads add both visual brilliance and cultural resonance.

Lahn is never used in excess. Instead, it is integrated with precision — to underscore a motif, illuminate a Kani pattern, or trace the geometry of a double face weave.

Always in Harmony with Cashmere

No matter how rare or symbolic, each of these fibers is used in harmony with our foundation: pure, traceable cashmere. Their presence is never decorative alone — they must contribute to the shawl’s integrity, identity, and story.

That is why every piece that bears the name vonoz remains, at its heart, a cashmere shawl — with its essence rooted in softness, tradition, and time.

Want to know more about cashmere? See our Cashmere Knowledge Hub.