Caring for Luxury Fabrics

Your cashmere remembers everything you do to it. So does your silk. The difference between a garment that looks like money after five years and one that falls apart after five washes isn't the brand — it's how you look after them.

The cold water rule

Heat is fabric's worst enemy. Hot water causes fibres to contract and interlock permanently — this is what felting is, and it cannot be undone. Cold water, or no water at all, is almost always the right answer for anything worth owning. When in doubt, go cooler.

Why fragrance-forward care matters

Standard detergents contain optical brighteners, harsh surfactants, and synthetic fragrances that coat fibres rather than cleaning them. Over time they dull natural lustre and stiffen hand-feel. ORA's Fabric Care Spray uses a water-based formula that refreshes without stripping — it removes odour, lays fibres flat, and leaves a whisper of fragrance that fades within an hour.

The refresh method

For garments that aren't dirty but aren't fresh — the silk blouse after a dinner, the cashmere sweater after a flight — full washing is often the wrong choice. Hang the piece flat, hold the spray 25cm away, and mist lightly. Smooth with your palm. Let it air for 20 minutes. This is how European ateliers care for their samples between fittings.

Storage

Before folding anything fine for storage, lightly spritz the garment. The scent discourages moths, keeps fibres from going musty, and means the first wear of the season is always the best wear.