The black sheep rehabilitated
It is time to rehabilitate the black sheep ...
There is a special fabric in our collection that we would like to give some extra attention; the so-called Pecora Nera fabrics, a range of Loro Piana´s rare fabrics made using New Zealand merino wool coming exclusively from the fleeces of dark coloured sheep.
These extraordinary animals are the result of 20 years of careful selection by a New Zealand breeder, who has restored the dignity and importance of dark sheep by discovering that this was the original color of the sheep bred in the past.
White sheep are in fact the result of long-term man made selection after discovering that it was possible to dye white wool in a broader range of colors. However, the dark color remained as a recessive or secondary genetic characteristic of some white sheep, which is why the flocks occasionally give birth to a black lamb whose wool is not used. This is the origin of the use of the term "a black sheep" to describe a negative member of a group.
But the New Zealand breeder focused on dark sheep, only crossing specimens endowed with this genetic heritage, rediscovering all of their original characteristics, such as the extraordinarily thick fleeces that give rise to a bright and highly resistant wool, whose natural color ranges from various shades of mixed browns to black.
Another aspect is worth underlining: the wool of black sheep is totally natural and not dyed and therefore it is not affected by chemical agents.
It´s special and we gladly present it to you ...
Published on 17-1-2007 - Fashion
