Mandkhai founder talks luxury cashmere and why yaks could be the way forward
London-based knitwear designer Mandkhai Jargalsaikhan describes following in her parents’ footsteps, using sustainable fibres from Mongolia
Why cashmere? “My parents started the very first cashmere business in post-socialist Mongolia and it is one of the country’s biggest knitwear manufacturers. I grew up in the business – my mum runs the factory and is a designer herself. I remember meeting famous actors like Julia Roberts and Richard Gere when I was young, as celebrities would always come to visit our factory when they were in Mongolia.”
Sustainable practices are a core part of your brand DNA – why? “That’s how my parents have always done business. We have an integrated supply chain. The production of cashmere itself is sustainable. The whole nomadic lifestyle is interesting – the goats rely on humans to survive for winter, but humans need their hair to keep them warm.
“Every spring they need to be combed because it’s hot and they no longer need their hair. We then buy the hairs direct from brokers or the families that live in the villages. My family has been doing it this way for over 20 years, which is what makes it so special. In terms of production, we make everything ourselves – we spin, dye and wash our own yarns.”
Tell us about your designs. “Our style is timeless and ageless. I want different people to wear it so it’s not about trends. I saw a gap in the market for exciting knitwear, and no one had my story and background. I named it after myself as it’s so personal and we are transparent in terms of sourcing.