About
Connecting the people cashmere depends on.
Cashmere Futures is an emerging research and collaboration platform initiated by Imran Ishrat, focused on transformative and sustainable supply chains in the cashmere sector. It connects research, communities, industry, and policy to generate evidence-informed insights and support the development of a more sustainable global cashmere industry.
Most people in the cashmere sector see one part of the picture. We're building a place to see more of it.
Herders know the land and the animals. Spinners and weavers turn raw fibre into fabric, often entirely by hand. Researchers study fibre quality, climate pressure, and market structure. Buyers and brands set demand. Policymakers shape the rules everyone operates under. Each group holds knowledge the others need — but rarely in one place, and rarely in a form the others can use.
Cashmere Futures exists to narrow that gap: a shared, evolving picture of the sector that's honest about what's still uncertain, and useful to whoever's trying to make it better.
What we're aiming for
01 — 05Community-first
Herding communities as primary stakeholders, not a data source — their priorities should shape what we look into, not the other way round.
Evidence over assumption
Verifiable data and named sources over convenient narratives — and saying clearly when something is still uncertain.
Transformative, not just protective
Not only preserving the status quo more sustainably — looking at what structural changes, in market access, technology or governance, could genuinely change outcomes.
Open to collaboration
Built to connect people already doing the work — not to replace or compete with existing efforts.
Transparent about limits
Saying plainly what's still early, uncertain, or not yet built — rather than presenting a more finished picture than what actually exists.
Want to shape where this goes?
Whether you're a researcher, a herding community representative, or working in industry or policy — we'd like to hear from you.