Cashmere
Mongolian cashmere is considered among the finest in the world due to Mongolia’s extreme climate, where harsh winters encourage goats to develop exceptionally fine, insulating undercoats. As the weather warms and the goats begin to shed, the fibre is collected and sorted by fineness, length and colour. The raw cashmere is then cleaned and dehaired, separating the soft undercoat from the coarser outer hair.
Yak Wool
Yaks are long-haired relatives of cattle, adapted to Mongolia’s cold, exposed landscapes. Beneath their coarse outer hair lies a fine, soft undercoat that protects them from the cold. This down is collected during the natural shedding season, then separated from the coarser hair and cleaned. We use it for its softness and warmth.
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. Yak wool is soft and exceptionally warm, with a slightly weightier feel and a lovely natural texture.
Cashmere and yak are among nature’s most luxurious fibres. Each animal produces only a limited amount of fine undercoat annually, making these fibres naturally rare. Their delicate processing requires skilled craftsmanship and meticulous attention to detail.