Cashmere and Climate: Why We Make to Order: Explained

Cashmere, Climate, and Our Way

Sustainable fashion practices are more than ideas for us, they guide every decision we make, right down to each cashmere strand. You won’t find racks packed with Monticelli sweaters. Instead, our workshop is quieter. Cashmere rests in bundles, waiting to be shaped only when you ask for it. This is made-to-order, the kind that feels patient, like something your grandmother would have called common sense, but somehow it’s now a revelation. We want you to feel the difference in intention and care, not just in a tactile way, but in spirit too.

Why Made-to-Order Matters

In the world of fashion, speed has become the norm. Clothes arrive by the thousands, often ending up forgotten or discarded. We chose a different path, and it’s a quieter one. Every Monticelli piece, whether a lush crew neck or a generous scarf you might steal from a partner, is crafted as soon as an order is placed, not a moment before. This creates no overstock and leaves no room for waste. We think of our cashmere as living closer to the earth, in both origin and mindset. For us, slow isn’t a trend. It’s a way back to clothing that means something and lasts through seasons and stories.

The Touch of Italian Artisanship

We think the real story of sustainable fashion practices starts with hands, experienced, steady, and proud hands. Our sweaters and scarves are crafted by artisans who have been working with Italian cashmere since before it was cool. There’s a practicality in their process, never hurried or showy. Every stitch is done with a level of attention that reminds us of old studio benches worn smooth by years of use. We work only with mills and makers in Italy who use gentle, low-impact methods—because cashmere should do no harm, not to people or place. See the Women's Cashmere Links Stitch Boat Neck if you like a knit that feels both familiar and fresh.

Rethinking Style and Scarcity

Most brands put out styles in hopes someone, anyone, will care enough to buy. We decided we’d only ever make what’s wanted, nothing more. It goes against how fashion usually works, but it makes sense if you’ve ever hated waste or felt overwhelmed by too many choices. Honest sustainable fashion practices feel like a relief, not a sacrifice. There’s a freedom in waiting for your garment to be made just for you. If you’ve browsed our Wine Cashmere Scarves & Hats collection, you might find something that’s just the right fit, not more, not less.

How We Make Sustainability Personal

When a customer chooses a Monticelli garment, it’s not coming out of a warehouse. The sweater or scarf, maybe like this Oversized Cashmere Boatneck—is made for her, just for her. It’s a personal act, almost old-fashioned, like waiting for bread to rise or having a pair of shoes cobbled. It brings together what matters to us: saving resources, supporting Italian makers, and giving people clothing they’ll want to hold onto. It’s not about chasing trends or seasons. It’s about feeling connected to what you wear and to the people who made it.

Looking Forward: Cashmere With a Conscience

Real change doesn’t have to be loud. We believe that focusing on sustainable fashion practices, keeping things simple, and putting craft above quantity is the way forward. If you come to Monticelli, you’ll find a slower pace, softer textures, and a bit more meaning in each piece. That’s our hope anyway, to share Italian tradition in a way that feels both grounded and kind. Each order helps us keep this approach alive, garment by garment.

Other Blog Posts You Might Like

If this topic resonated with you, here are a few more stories we think you’ll enjoy:

• Best reasons to skip fast fashion forever
• How to style a red cashmere wrap or poncho 16
• Mixing soft neutrals with italian texture