AUTUMN / WINTER COLLECTION

Norlha launches its latest collection of luxurious yak wool garments and scarves for autumn and winter, offering exceptionally soft and warming protection from the elements.

As the Tibetan Plateau’s first yak khullu atelier, Norlha is committed to celebrating the remarkable qualities of this rare fibre known for its softness, durability and warmth. Founded with a deep commitment to sustainable development and positive social change, Norlha works with local artisans to create the world’s finest yak khullu scarves, clothing and homewares.

The inspiration for this collection is drawn from the rich tones and shades found in rural Tibet: the earthen colours of monasteries; terracotta mud walls and walkways; whitewashed stone; and the dark yak wool of nomadic tents, with their warm central hearths and smoking mud stoves which glow throughout the short days of winter.

The collection’s colours also have symbolic value in traditional Tibetan culture, which subtly underscore the garments’ quiet beauty. Red (as used in the seamed shawl & classic felted vest) is the colour of powerful rituals, deeds and wisdom; it is also seen as a sacred colour with protective qualities. White (seen in the women’s patch pocket overshirt) is the colour of learning and knowledge, yak milk, and the snowy plateau. Blue (threaded through the shepherd’s jacket & smock jumper) is associated with healing, purity and abundance and green (saturated throughout the men’s patch pocket overshirt & women’s fringed dress) is the colour of the pasture, which represents balance and harmony.

This season, Norlha has also added to its expansive range of handmade yak khullu and silk khullu-blend scarves. Whether handspun and woven, knitted or felted, Norlha’s scarves are made from the finest yak wool and will last long enough to pass onto the next generation.

As with all Norlha items, each garment is impeccably handwoven at the Norlha Atelier on the Tibetan Plateau by highly skilled artisans using sustainable processes. The yak khullu is sourced from local nomad cooperatives and treated using a variety of traditional techniques to produce varying textures and degrees of fineness or rawness. The result is a collection of garments in differing weights and densities that can be easily layered for optimal warmth.