Our fibres are exceptionally rare, soft, resilient, and coveted for their scarcity and purity.
Pashmina
True pashmina (from the Persian “pashm,” or “soft gold”) is exceptionally rare. The fibre is sourced exclusively from limited herds of Changra goats that live under harsh conditions high in the mountain pass of the Changthang region of Ladakh, 4,000 to 7,000 metres above sea level. The climate there is extreme, particularly in winter when food is scarce, the winds merciless, and temperatures can plummet below -30 degrees Celsius. It is during this season that the goats produce their exceptionally warm and soft undercoat beneath their coarser outer hairs to protect themselves from the elements. These hairs are finer that any cashmere from Mongolia and have been sought after by kings and empresses for centuries. When the winter relents and molting season begins, the shepherds carefully comb their goats to collect this precious fibre. This material is the only true pashmina, and there is very little of it. Each goat yields a mere 200 to 300 grams per year, barely sufficient to make a single shawl.
Yak khullu
The yak is a hardy, long-haired cattle native to the high-altitude regions of Ladakh, over 4,000 meters above sea level and in extremely cold temperatures. The wild yak, known as “drong,” (the female is known as “drimo”) is the largest, strongest, and most resilient of them all. These animals are impossible to tame and hold a significant place in Ladakhi folklore and oral traditions.
Domesticated yak are commonly found in the regions of Changthang, Zanskar and the Nubra Valley. For centuries, they have been central to the life in Ladakh, shaping the local culture, economy, and survival on the plateau. Among the Changpa nomads, nearly every aspect of their daily life revolves around the yak, as it provides milk, butter, cheese, meat, transport, and even materials for building shelter.
The yak’s soft undercoat, known as yak khullu, is prized for its warmth and lightness. It is spun into yarn for traditional garments such as shawls and blankets, and is also used to make ropes and tents. Beyond supporting livelihoods, yaks play a vital role in sustaining the fragile high-altitude ecosystem and the nomadic way of life.
Sheep wool
Our wool comes from sheep that live in the high-altitude regions of Ladakh where they endure extreme cold and rugged terrain. Their wool is naturally warm, soft, and lightweight, and provides excellent insulation in harsh climates. Once spun into yarn, it is woven into carpets, rugs and traditional garments such as shawls, cos (traditional attire) and blankets. Sheep and goats are the prime livestock of Changpa nomads, forming the backbone of their livelihood. For centuries, Ladakhis have been largely self-relient, creating their own clothing from locally sourced wool. Each region had developed distinct weaving techniques and textile practices, contributing to Ladakh’s rich and diverse textile heritage.