Where it begins
The integral approach
1 Fighting desertification
Ecosystem
We collect our wool from Mongolia, also known as Outer Mongolia (and not to be confused with Inner Mongolia which is a part of China), a landlocked country located in the plateau of Central Asia, between Russian Siberia and China.
The country is mountainous with an average altitude of 1580 meters above sea level, which makes Mongolia one of the highest countries in the world.
Mongolia has 110 million hectares of rangeland, and 90% of this rangeland has the capacity to regenerate itself within a span of 10 years.
The Chinese region of Inner Mongolia has been, according to The World Bank fighting desertification for six decades where 57% of its territory has been affected by desertification.
Many nomadic herders in Mongolia now see the challenge and damages of desertification their neighbouring country is facing. Together with national and international involvement they have initiated environmental management projects throughout Mongolia. The aim is to manage pasture areas in a sustainable manner. They will ensure degraded pasture areas are rehabilitated and enable a cyclical pasturing system for future generations.
2 Animal friendly wool
Free grazing hand combed wool
Mongolia has long winters and dry climate. It is generally not suited to growing crops. As such livestock, primarily goats, sheep and cattle, make up around 80% of the country’s total agricultural production. Mongolian wool has a lower carbon footprint compared to wool from other wool producing countries. Livestock husbandry practices in Mongolia use mainly indigenous breeds, with low productivity and small body size. They do not have the same impact as industrial dairy, pig and poultry production.
Wool from Mongolia is considered to be amongst the highest quality wool in the world. The animals are able to yield superior quality wool fibres because of the harsh winter temperatures, at times -40 degrees celcius. The animals graze in the vast steppes of Mongolia and are free from mulesing practices. The wool is hand-combed by the herders. Combing excess fleece off the animals will not only financially secure the herders, but the animals will also be more comfortable during the hot summers in Mongolia.
3 Validating Traditions
Natural lifestyle
We source our wool from the nomadic herders of Mongolia. They live a traditional lifestyle, where respect and harmony prevail between humans and their livestock. Buying wool from them enable the communities to be self-sufficient and help them thrive.
Animal welfare is important for Mongolian herders. The herders depend on their livestock for food, security and income. Treating their livestock with respect is a part of the nomadic herders' lifestyle, as carried out for generations.
4 Ensuring livelihood
Empowering local communities
Our collaborating partners in charge of processing the raw materials into final garments are committed to the environment. They practise pollution prevention and pollution control. In addition, they are investing in their workforce by establishing daycare facility, as well as in green projects in their local community - the right step towards a respectful and greener environment.
We knit our sweaters in Mongolia, where the raw material is from. Because of this the value chain remains in Mongolia for as long as possible, which in turn will benefit everyone involved in making our cherished garments.
