“We believe in the exceptional qualities of a rare fiber, in the skill of our dedicated artisans, and the creation of superior products. We honor each of these guiding principles equally and without compromise,” – a mission of Norlha, a Tibetan sustainable luxury fashion brand.

The Norlha Atelier is located in Ritoma Village on the Tibetan Plateau. The atelier has been working with the local community in the village for the whole making process of the precious fibres, textiles, and design of yak khullu wool since the opening in 2007 by the Norlha founders, Kim and Dechen Yeshi. Khullu is a fiber of many virtues, one of which is durability and warmth. Some of reports said that yak fibres are sustainable alternatives to cashmere and wool.

Recently, the atelier has presented Autumn Winter 2020’s Home Collection: felted yak wool cushion cover with zero-waste process, textured cushion cover handwoven in yak wool and silk blend, blankets woven from 100% dark yak wool and natural white yak khullu with various trimmings from blanket stitching, tassels, and fringes with a distinctive geometric design in shade and tone earth colors.

Before the home collection, Norlha presented the clothing collections of childrenswear, womenswear and menswear AW2020 in September 2020. The collections are focusing on style references of the traditional Tibetan tailoring and classic Tibetan chuba. The childrenswear are mostly unisex, they are children’s shepherd jacket made from yak khullu, natural yak felt jumper made from a melange of natural brown, grey and white yak khullu, children’s gown warm yak khullu and silk blend, girl wrap dress from a feather-light yak khullu and silk blend, hand-felted contrast felt jumper, and many more in in soft pastel and deep bright colours. 

You can shop the collection of Norlha in their webshop in its official website. They have 20% off offer with code: MADEBYHAND – until the end of the midnight of Wednesday, 2nd December 2020.

— The clothing collection of Norlha, an atelier of yak khullu wool, in Ritoma village of Tibetan Plateau. Evergreen Children’s Shepherd’s Jacket (left) and Prussian Blue Men’s Overcoat (right). Source: Norlha.com —

The womenswear and menswear collections present some tailored coats, jackets, blazer, and many more for each gender. Some of them are monk red fringed women’s jacket woven, slate mountain coat full-length women’s coat in exceptionally warm 100% yak khullu, soft tailored Prussian blue men’s overcoat from yak khullu and silk blend, aubergine classic men’s fitted blazer in 100% yak khullu, and many more.

As stated by Norlha Admin on the impact of the Norlha in the area – Norlha has brought positive impacts on the developments of the economy, culture, animals, and the environment of the village of Ritoma on the Tibetan Plateau where 230 families with thousands of yaks and sheeps live. The first artisans of Norlha, who knew nothing but herding, received proper education about weaving, felting, dyeing, and administering in the atelier. Hundreds of families have elevated their economy level and made smooth paths towards a better future.

For its success in applying positive impacts on superior quality of fibres, textile and products, the happy life of artisans, the healthy workforce, Norlha has received many awards and international certificatios from United Nations Development Programme Award, 1.618 Sustainable Luxury Award and Certified, B-Corp Certified, Positive Luxury Certified.

The sacred yaks highly contribute in maintaining the ecosystem in the area. They graze high varieties of flora, fertilize the land with their manure, and spread the seeds with their hooves. The herders follow them in a transhumance pattern between spring, summer autumn and winter pasture.

During the pandemic in Ritoma, according the Norlha journal on September 12th this year – wearing face masks was already common thing to be worn long before the pandemic. Their view of cleanliness was required for both spiritual purity and physical cleanliness. The Tibetans are aware that a lack of cleanliness could bring about unfortunate results, among them, communicable disease.

According to Open Edition Journal: Norlha’s social business model suggests that selling extremely high range products to luxury houses can be a way out of poverty and rural desertification for these communities.

For more information about Norlha: Website www.norlha.com – Facebook Norlha – YouTube Norlha – Instagram @norlha_atelier.

Source: Norhla: Restoring the glory of khullu wool for social development and environmental protection in the High Tibetan Plateau — Official Website of Norlha  – Our Journal – IS YAK THE NEW CASHMERE? A SPOTLIGHT ON SHOKAY.