When cashmere is cared correctly, it can last a lifetime
GOBI Mongolian Cashmere USA Corp is a leading provider of high-quality, sustainable cashmere products sourced directly from Mongolia. The company is committed to promoting ethical and eco-friendly practices, offering a wide range of luxurious cashmere garments and accessories to the US market. Speaking to Fibre2Fashion, GOBI’s CEO Unenbat Ch. discusses cashmere, its production and benefits.
What is cashmere, and how is it different from other types of wool used in the fashion industry?
The main difference is that cashmere is manufactured from the delicate undercoat of the cashmere goat, while wool is made from the fur of sheep. Another difference is that, while cashmere is combed to eliminate impurities before being spun into yarn, wool is normally spun into yarn before being woven or knit into fabric. As a result, the yarn becomes softer and finer. Overall, what distinguishes wool and cashmere the most are the softness and fineness of the fibres.
What are the benefits of using cashmere in fashion, and how does it add value to high-end clothing and accessories?
In general, there are loads of benefits to wearing cashmere. One of the great benefits is that when cashmere is cared for correctly, it can last a lifetime. It is a timeless fabric and classic styles will always be on-trend. You can say that it becomes a lifetime investment.
What are the ethical considerations surrounding the production of cashmere?
The GOBI relies on nomadic herders whose activities are closely tied to the company’s ethical principles. For example, Mongolian herders use hand combing method, which allows hair to be removed without using shears. In addition to being safe and gentle, this technique leaves the goat with a layer of hair, meaning they will retain protection from the elements.
How has the use of cashmere in fashion evolved over time, and what trends are emerging in the industry with regards to this luxurious material?
Throughout history, it has been the fabric of choice for royalty and the wealthy. Despite its ability to attract the interest of the rich and important, the origins of Cashmere are surprisingly humble. It is now the fabric of choice for all the top designers in the world, and over the years, it has become more accessible to the public.
What are some of the challenges facing the cashmere industry, and what steps are being taken to ensure its sustainability and longevity in the fashion world?
There is a popular belief that Cashmere is made from the soft undercoat of goats who are cruelly abused. Contrary to popular belief, Mongolian herders show love and care for their animals in several ways. In fact, the method of traditional hand combing is unique to Mongolia.
What is the history of GOBI?
With the founding of GOBI through the cooperation of Japan and Mongolia in 1981, GOBI has been operating as Mongolia’s first and leading cashmere manufacturing facility. Our story begins with GOBI becoming the first factory in Mongolia to receive an international quality prize and certificate, gradually implementing the international ISO 9000 standard. Consequently, we have begun working on improving our products, constructed a new garment factory, bolstered our capabilities with technology from Italy, Germany, Poland, and Japan, and supported the expansion and development of employees.
What makes your products unique compared to other cashmere products on the market?
GOBI’s focus on responsible quality doesn’t add to the cost for the end customer. Instead, GOBI adds more value with a responsible, traceable approach to manufacturing. By increasing the traceability of our cashmere, GOBI continues its conservation efforts for Mongolian nomads and their cashmere herds. This offers you the best cashmere in Mongolia — where the softest and finest cashmere is produced — with a guarantee of its origin.
Where do you source your cashmere wool from?
At GOBI, all our products are made from Mongolian Cashmere, the highest quality cashmere fibres in the world! Cashmere’s quality is determined by its length and thinness, in other words, ‘microns’. Compared to the industry average of 19 microns, Mongolian Cashmere, or King Fiber, is the longest and thinnest ranging from 13-14 microns. Our climate, the habitat, and the living conditions of our cashmere goats lead to the highest quality of cashmere we so boldly claim. This means that it is the finest and the most expensive fibre. It is also called Khaan Shirhegt (King-Fiber), which stands out as top quality above the others. Even though we use high-quality cashmere, we are committed to serving the best quality cashmere products at affordable prices for everyone.
What steps do you take to ensure that your production practices are ethical and sustainable?
Respect for local herders and nature is woven into each cashmere fibre at GOBI. From the hands of herders to their manufacturing facilities, GOBI combines traditional heritage with modern production to deliver a world-class cashmere offering that celebrates the country’s nomadic heritage and allows it to live on. Humane treatment of animals is also deeply intertwined with sustainability (responsibility) and the quality of GOBI’s cashmere. The herders who work with GOBI opt for humane hand-combing of their goats, which yields an even more comfortable and supple cashmere.
What are some of the benefits of wearing cashmere, and how can customers care for their products to ensure longevity?
When cashmere is cared correctly, it can last a lifetime. Proper care and a gentle washing routine will help to extend the life of cashmere garments and keep their quality for extended use. However, dry cleaning for all cashmere products is recommended for longer durability.
How do you approach pricing, and what factors contribute to the cost of your products?
At GOBI, we make our cashmere affordable by eliminating the involvement of middlemen and other third parties, which traditionally drive-up costs, leaving herders struggling to make a living, while charging a very high price to the end customer.
How and where is cashmere processed and manufactured?
GOBI manufactures products in-house at the GOBI Factory in Ulaanbaatar Mongolia. While many manufacturers can only produce a specific kind of cashmere garment, GOBI’s factory is designed to create a large variety of items. The brand brings the highest-quality cashmere to the world by manufacturing at scale. Instead of using untraceable factories in other countries, GOBI manufactures responsibly sourced cashmere in its own factory with its own employees, overseeing every step of the production process.
What are the future plans for GOBI?
At GOBI, we make cashmere a lifestyle. We envision cashmere not simply as a winter sweater, but as everyone’s favourite choice of garment to wear every day, every season, every occasion, at any age, and in all walks of life. By doing so, GOBI will bring closer a lifestyle of softness and comfort that’s reachable by all.
Interviewer: Shilpi Panjabi
Published on: 05/05/2023
DISCLAIMER: All views and opinions expressed in this column are solely of the interviewee, and they do not reflect in any way the opinion of Fibre2Fashion.com.
