Located on the Tibetan plateau, Norlha (a sister project of Norden Camp – a fab glamping destination) produces luxury woven textiles from baby yak yarn. Norlha was founded in 2007 by Kim Yeshi, who discovered that yak wool can be spun into unbelievable soft yarn for use in scarves, sweaters, booties, cushion covers, and more.
The Norlha Vision
Norlha’s mission is the work with local nomads to obtain yak yarn, using their centuries’ old skills herding yak. Working together with local tribes, Norlha has helped to transform the local economy and infuse capital into a region where it can be used to better infrastructure and support local inhabitants.
Super Luxe Woven Textiles
Norlha, as a company, is involved in the entire life cycle of its products, from wool collection to finished products. Their yarn is made from the super soft down undercoat called “khullu.” Yaks shed this layer in the spring, so it must be harvested before it’s scattered. While 90% of a typical yak herd are black, only 10% are grey/white, making this color of khullu even more of a hot commodity!
After the Khullu is sheared from the yak, locals spin the wool into yarn using shuttle looms. It is often combined with other luxury fibers like silk, fine wool, and cashmere, making it even softer! Felting, a technique used by nomads in Central Asia for centuries, allows local weavers to make the khullu waterproof– perfect for tents and other outerwear (much-needed in the region!).
Socially and Environmentally Conscious
I love finding companies like Norlha that combine beautiful goods with a mission of giving back to the local community. Working with a local population that was eager to hone their spinning and weaving skills, Norlha helped to bring in more sophisticated equipment and instruction to allow them to increase their production, and in turn sales. Part of their vision statement sums it up perfectly: “Norlha is based on simple principles: giving to those who can afford it something they seek, and those who make it, a new life.”
Norlha products can be purchased directly on the website HERE and select stores (a store finder is located HERE).
