Cashmere
Mongolian cashmere comes from the exceptionally fine undercoat of cashmere goats, developed naturally to protect them through Mongolia’s harsh winters. As the weather warms and the goats begin to shed, this precious fibre is carefully collected before being sorted according to qualities such as fineness, length and colour.
The raw cashmere is then cleaned and dehaired, separating the exceptionally soft undercoat from the coarser outer fibres.
Naturally soft, lightweight and insulating, high-quality cashmere offers warmth without unnecessary weight. With considered care, it becomes softer and more characterful with wear, to be enjoyed season after season.
Yak Wool
Yak wool is equally remarkable. Yaks have adapted to some of Mongolia’s coldest and most exposed environments, developing a dense coat to protect them from extreme conditions.
Beneath the animal’s coarse protective outer hair lies a much finer, softer undercoat. This down is collected during the natural shedding season, then carefully separated and cleaned to reveal the soft fibre beneath. The result is a fibre known for its warmth, softness and natural character.
Cashmere or Yak: What’s the Difference?
Both cashmere and yak come from the soft insulating undercoat, but each fibre has its own distinct character.
Cashmere is exceptionally fine, soft and lightweight. It has a smooth, luxurious hand feel and provides remarkable warmth without heaviness.
Yak has a slightly more substantial, tactile character. Soft and exceptionally warm, it has a natural depth and richness that feels both luxurious and grounded. Yak fibres occur naturally in beautiful earthy shades.
Where cashmere feels light, refined and exceptionally soft, yak feels warm, enveloping and naturally tactile. Neither is inherently better - they offer two different expressions of natural luxury.
At HWIN Studio, we choose each fibre for its individual qualities.