Good Wool Story

Good Wool Story clothing and accessories are made in Mongolia. With a focus on empowering local people and protecting the nature is the basis for this socially responsible business. 

The Yak down is sourced directly from the local Nomads, who receive fairer prices through the herder’s cooperative organisations whom they work closely with. Manufacturers and knitters also receive higher prices than their counterparts who are based in China and Southeast Asian countries. By working directly with the local communities, this ensures the products are made in an environmentally and ethical responsible manner. 

Products are also packaged in recyclable materials; carbon emissions are offset via tree planting and 2% of profits are paid to local NGO who support working with the Nomads. An example of a short-chain!

Good Wool Story clothing and accessories are suitable for adults and children and made primarily from yak down and Mongolian sheep wool. Mongolian yaks have adapted to survive extreme weather conditions ranging from -20 degrees to ‑50 degrees. The warm undercoat of down sheds naturally during late spring in preparation for the warmer temperatures. The Nomadic herders collect the down by hand combing the yaks. 

The natural properties of this precious Yak fiber are its natural softness, fire resistance, odour resistance, hypoallergenic, and breathable nature.

Good Wool Story only uses 100% natural wool fibers that are naturally biodegradable. Moreover, the wool is not bleached or dyed. So you can be sure that no harmful chemical dyes have been used to produce your soft scarf or jumper. 

Good Wool Story’s packaging is made of recycled paper, and transportation is carbon-neutral as its carbon emissions are offset by planting trees in Madagascar.

Good Wool Story commits well to circularity as all garments are made from 100% natural, undyed wool. Because the designs are knitted, this ensures a slight stretch in the clothes without the addition of elastane. Moreover, the scarves, plaids and other accessories contain no sewing threads, zips or other materials. This ensures that the products are even biodegradable!

Good Wool Story does have a longer chain in distance from Mongolia, but keeps the supply chain short in number of links. The brand works directly with the shepherd cooperative and knitting manufacturer in Mongolia. Also, the production of the clothes and accessories is done close to where the wool is sourced.

The well being of the Nomad‘s herds in Mongolia are said to be one of the best in the world. The animals – Yaks, Sheep and Camels are free to roam whilst grazing on wild grasses (depending on certain regions, the grass and plants are medicinal) and drink water from natural springs during late Spring through to the end of Autumn. During the colder months, they eat the grass and oats which have been prepared by the Nomads and consume water where it is not frozen over.

Mongolian sheep have evolved to survive high altitudes and cold winters. With their shorter and flatter tails, they do not suffer from moisture and flies, making the animal-unfriendly mulesing (cutting away skin at the hindquarters) to avoid fly infections unnecessary. 

When collecting the fiber from the animals, the Yak down is hand gathered and is also combed from underneath their bellies. Camel down is initially sheared in late April, beginning of May and then also combed in June. The Sheep are sheared at the end of Spring. This process of gathering the fibers was initiated with the NGO and local Nomad’s.

Good Wool Story’s collection consists of timeless accessories such as scarves, hats, plaids and gloves. You will also find wonderfully soft jumpers for men, women and children. 

The colour is the natural hair colour of the sheep and yak wool. This means that there is no bleaching or dyeing during the production process, and thus no chemicals are used. This also ensures that the colour can vary from product to product, and that you can wash it along with lighter-coloured items without worry.

Nomindari is the founder of Good Wool Story. She was born and raised in Mongolia and works closely with the Nomads and a local NGO who they also collaborate with. She ensures that the work they undertake is local and works closely with the Nomadic communities, knitters and manufacturers.