With the Holiday spirit all around us, we are getting ready to bid our farewells to the year 2023. We, at GOBI Cashmere, have had the chance to dive into many exciting projects and bring forth many outstanding collections, all while furthering our goals towards a more sustainable future. Let us take a trip down memory lane with nothing but gratitude towards the past year.
GOBI Cashmere’s Notable Collections from 2023
2023 has been a year of growth and innovation at GOBI Cashmere. We have launched numerous collections in the past year, drawing inspiration from a wide range of themes and utilizing both traditional and innovative techniques. While all our cashmere collections are unique and different, the one thing that always unites them is the way they are always made with the utmost love and care towards our customers and the planet itself.
One notable example would be “The Face” Collection which seamlessly fused Mongolian craftsmanship with Western techniques, with all the garments in the collection carrying the Italian spirit. The F/W 2023 Collection drew inspiration from the natural forms that can be found all around us, from majestic mountains to mesmerizing sand dunes. The garments re-established the shapes of the body, mixing technology and tailoring. Gently sloping shoulders and fluid movements on garments, the necklines of which are never loud but naturally evolved – we have tried breaking down nature into its hidden details.
The whole collection consists of details and processes that repeat and dovetail into each other, trying to bring forth garments that enhance without overwhelming. The garments were designed to give the same gentle sensation of reassuring familiar warmth with every movement, like the hand of a loved one stroking our skin. It’s a sensation only high-quality and authentic cashmere can give.
One of the highlights of the year was our proud entry into the world of footwear production. We launched our first cashmere trainers in August, officially marking a new beginning for GOBI Cashmere. This extraordinary addition to our product lineup redefined contemporary footwear and elevated the standards of style and comfort. This combination of the timeless appeal of cashmere and the versatility of trainers offered our customers countless styling possibilities. The moisture-wicking properties, the breathability, and the unparalleled warmth made the trainers a true luxurious investment piece for many.
The F/W 2023 Collection “Country Chic” focused on English heritage and history and its many knit techniques, textures, and patterns. To give this collection a contemporary feel it was important to contrast the country with the city and towns where many country looks are being worn on the streets. The collection utilized many techniques, from fine gauge to heavy, smooth, and brushed knits, chunky ribs, and twists.
“Touch of Nature” was a mother’s gentle embrace, emanating delicate beauty from its soft color palette and subtle silhouettes. This collection celebrated the simple yet distinctive natural elements such as ocean waves, the transient lights and shadows, and the ephemeral beauty of flowers. This story is much influenced by the natural shades and colors of the organic undyed cashmere yarns. The masterful use of classic silhouettes is paired with eye catching knit details and stitches. This collection is the embodiment of our efforts toward a sustainable future, with smart and casual designs made entirely in natural colors without the use of dyes.
Our latest collections “Sports Casual”, “The Reborn” and “3D Knit Seamless Collection” are characterized by the use of innovative ideas and techniques as we align our pace with the progress of humankind. Our extraordinary collections are a testament to both cutting-edge technology and artistic craftsmanship. Classic silhouettes, versatile enough to harmonize with any outfit, were engineered for optimal comfort. The non-restrictive, shape-defining styles guarantee a harmonious blend of style and ease.
An Unforgettable Fashion Show held at a Historic Landmark
We had the honor to hold a truly magnificent Fashion Show at the Choijin Lama Temple, a historic landmark that holds tremendous significance for the people of Mongolia. We unveiled the designs of our “The Face” Collection that were created in collaboration with the Italian fashion designer Giorgio Spina. The Fashion Show truly was a sight to behold, with designs that fused Mongolian craftsmanship with innovative Italian techniques gracing the grounds of the breathtaking temple. The historic temple has witnessed the passage of time and experienced remarkable transformations over the years. It underwent a transformation like no other for our show. After our event, we dedicated ourselves to fully restoring and preserving this sacred place, paying the utmost respect to our cultural heritage.
Campaigns and Events we look back at with Pride and Joy
We, at GOBI Cashmere, are very proud to say that we work closely with our herders who are the backbone of our cashmere manufacturing, and ensure their just treatment. Authentic Mongolian cashmere can only be obtained through a tight collaboration with Mongolian herders who respect their livestock and mother nature herself. Our 4 Seasons Campaign offered a glimpse into their lives and unveiled another layer of the beautiful Mongolian countryside as we tagged along on the herders’ journey through the passing seasons.
Another event that marked a new milestone for us was the grand opening of our second physical store in Germany. We officially opened a store in Düsseldorf on October 11th of the year 2023 in our continued efforts to reach a wider audience.
The number of both digital and print publications that mentioned GOBI Cashmere reached a whopping number of 219 and we successfully collaborated with 547 influencers and celebrities. We are also proud to say that we held 12 successful events in the USA, UK, Germany, France, and the Netherlands.
Another noteworthy event that happened was the visit of CNN TV representatives to our factories and stores for an interview. The content filmed for the “Made in” series was unveiled on American TV between the 26th of June and the 6th of July. This event was very significant for us, for we had a chance to share information about our authentic Mongolian cashmere products that are produced entirely at our factories in Mongolia from locally sourced fibers.
Considering our continued collaboration, Google representatives also visited our factories and familiarized themselves with our cashmere manufacturing processes. It was a great honor for us, and we believe our continued collaboration with them is sure to keep yielding impressive results in the following years.
Continued Efforts Toward Excellence
As we all know now, cashmere is the only fiber that has a very narrow diameter which makes it extremely soft to the touch. To protect the term cashmere, the US Government made the Wool Labeling Act which says that in order for it to be called cashmere, it has to be 19 microns in diameter or less. Some parts of Mongolia produce cashmere with a diameter ranging between even 13-14 microns. This means that it is the finest and the most expensive fiber, in other words, the so-called Khaan Shirkhegt, ‘King-Fiber’ which stands out for its high quality.
The highest grades of processed cashmere are classified as “Khaan Shirkhegt”, I, II, and III. The Green Gold project launched by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation updated the cashmere standard and extended it to “Khaan Shirkhegt” and successfully got approval after consulting with industry researchers, scientists, and relevant professionals. Quality-wise and sustainability-wise, Mongolia is getting more and more recognition in the international market.
We also had the honor to announce the extension of the Standard 100 by OEKO-TEX® for GOBI Cashmere's 100% cashmere yarns in natural white, beige, warm grey, brown, bleached, and fiber-dyed. The internationally standardized, independent mark assures that the certified yarns meet the strict limit values for harmful substances of Standard 100 and that these substances are not present in critical concentrations. The tests for hazardous materials cover illegal and regulated substances, harmful chemicals, and other parameters for health.
This year we also took on the project of renovating our main store in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. The grand opening of our main factory store after the renovations was held on 25th of May. The interior of the store was changed in accordance with the natural organic colors of cashmere fibers. It was a truly important event for us, as we got one step closer to offering our customers an unmatched experience of shopping truly authentic Mongolian cashmere.
Furthermore, we are continually organizing our GOBI Factory Tours in an effort to give everyone a chance to witness first-hand the journey of raw materials to final products. We have successfully organized 256 tours involving 3276 domestic and foreign visitors, of which 2046 were foreign travelers. We, at GOBI Cashmere, are always proud of the fact that our beautiful, authentic cashmere pieces are produced 100% at our own factories.
Farewell 2023
2023 was a year of tremendous importance to GOBI Cashmere. It was a year of impressive achievements and immeasurable gratefulness toward our customers and partners. We extend our heartfelt appreciation to all our partners who accompany us on every step of the way and to all our valued customers who push GOBI Cashmere to be the best version of itself every day!
We are wrapping up the year on a very happy note and we wish all of you a joyous Holiday Season and a Happy New Year!
Sincerely,
From our Family to Yours,
GOBI Cashmere