Angora

What is angora?

Angora is a wool that comes from a natural textile fiber derived from the eponymous rabbit. Angora rabbits are the result of a genetic mutation that causes their coats to grow faster and more abundantly than normal. This special wool is particularly appreciated for its soft, fluffy, warm texture. Rabbits' hair is very long (up to 13 cm long), smooth and shiny. This wool is thermoregulating, retaining heat and absorbing moisture while remaining light and supple.
Today, it is used in the textile industry, mainly to make angora sweaters, cardigans, socks, scarves and more. All in all, it's a characteristic winter garment.

Where does angora come from?

The main producer of angora wool is China, where almost 90% of the world's production is made. There are also a few farms in France.

What are the processing stages for angora? (from animal to garment)

Like other types of wool, the fiber requires various stages to be transformed into yarn.
First of all, the wool must be collected from rabbits. The methods are varied and more or less barbaric (see section below).

Once harvested, the wool is sorted. The highest-quality ("softest") hairs are separated from the lowest-quality and impurity-filled hairs.
The wool fibers are then washed to remove impurities. Washing is often done by hand with lukewarm water and mild detergent.

The wool is then gently pressed to remove excess water and finally laid flat to dry.
The fibers are then carded, i.e. combed and aligned in the same direction. Once carded, the fibers are spun into yarns (spinning). It is at this stage that the yarns can be blended with other fibers.

Angora fur is naturally white, cream or brown. If required, the yarns can then be dyed.
Finally, the newly created yarns can be hand-knitted or woven on looms to produce the desired garments.

Is angora compatible with ethical and responsible fashion?

Although angora is a natural fiber, it cannot be considered a material compatible with ethical and responsible fashion. Indeed, wool harvesting is most often the result of animal mistreatment brought to light by the animal rights association PETA.
Warning, we recommend that sensitive souls refrain from reading.

In China, where almost 90% of angora wool comes from, breeders use atrocious processes to harvest the wool from rabbits. The wool is not shorn, as it would lose its quality, so it is torn from the rabbit's body.
Rabbits' living conditions are equally appalling. Whereas a rabbit prefers to interact with members of its group, angoras are generally locked up in tiny, disgusting cages, all without facilities. They are plucked up to 4 times a year. During this operation, the rabbits are physically immobile while their entire body coats are ripped off, leaving only the hair on their heads. The poor animals cry out in agony. They undergo this operation for 2 to 3 years before being killed or dying of a heart attack (whereas a rabbit can live up to 12 years).
Unfortunately, this kind of animal abuse is not confined to China. In France, the combing method (otherwise known as depilation or depilation) is the most widely used. This involves removing the rabbits' hair 2 or 3 times a year, during the moulting period. This process requires the administration of lagodendron to the rabbits. This is a tropical depilatory plant that facilitates hair removal, but at the same time leads to the death of the most fragile rabbits.

As you can see, angora wool is the product of unequivocal animal suffering and therefore cannot be considered compatible with ethical fashion.
Other types of wool that don't require animal mistreatment exist and keep just as warm, like alpaca wool for example.

You can also opt for second-hand which won't involve the production of new garments.

How to care for angora?

Angora wool is delicate and fragile. It therefore requires special care if you want to keep it as long as possible.
Before anything else, it's essential to always read carefully and follow the instructions specified on the garment's labels.

When it comes to washing, opt for hand washing. Be careful not to let it soak, and use lukewarm water at a constant temperature. It's best to clean your garments using a detergent for delicate textiles or a suitable soap.

To dry your Angora garment, lay it flat on a terry towel. Avoid spin-drying at all costs, as this can distort the material.
Angora wool garments are notorious for shedding and pilling. To prolong their durability, it's important to space out washing as much as possible. A final tip will help you keep them longer: place your garments in a bag in the freezer, as the cold will help bind the fibers to the knitwear and reduce the appearance of pilling.


Find our favorites in women's angora