It is called Chiengora and it is a special wool obtained from the undercoat of dogs. As valuable as cashmere, up to 80% more insulating and completely sustainable, this yarn is the result of the idea of an Italian start-up, founded by two young students from Bocconi in Milan. Their Chiengora Project won the HEC-42 Launchpad in June last year, one of the most prestigious competitions in Europe for startups and innovative products. However, their intuition has its roots in history. Before Spanish colonists imported sheep to the New World, dog hair was actually the most widely used “yarn” on the North American continent. According to studies on the ancient art of spinning dog hair, the best breeds for obtaining excellent wool are those typical of the north, such as the Newfoundland and the Samoyed, which have a particularly soft underfur.
