Mongolia’s climate is famously challenging, but it happens to be the perfect environment for creating a singularly beautiful organic cashmere — the foundational material in Munkh’s pillows and throws. Reproducing it elsewhere — or with a synthetic equivalent — is impossible; nothing is as soft and as strong. “Mongolia produces the best of this fiber, because our natural environment is perfectly suited for it,” says Bayarmaa, Munkh’s creative director and founder. “The climate is harsh, with temperatures ranging from 85 degrees in the summer to 40 below in the winter — but this allows our goats to grow this delicate, soft-yet- strong cashmere under its fur.” Munkh practices sustainability at every step of its design and production process: “Our company procures directly from herders who have been tending these domesticated goats for centuries,” she says. “These herders are still living a lifestyle that reflects care and respect to our natural environment.” Bayarmaa plans to create a no-waste factory in the future: “I am proud we are heading in this direction,” she says.

Read more in our journal article here.