Norlha Information

Norlha was founded in 2007 in Ritoma village, the Gannan Tibetan Prefecture, by mother and daughter Kim and Dechen Yeshi. Drawn by Kim’s belief in the possibilities of yak khullu and Dechen’s desire to deepen her connection with her Tibetan roots, Norlha began as an exploration of fibre, of place, and of what it means to create something lasting, rooted in tradition yet open to the future. Over the years, Norlha Atelier has grown into a community of over 100 artisans and staff, the majority of whom are from Ritoma village. Many have been with us from the beginning, learning and mastering skills in spinning, weaving, felting and tailoring. Today, 65% of our team are women. Together, we have built a small but pioneering textile workshop, one that combines traditional knowledge with thoughtful innovation. As a company, we invest back into our community through training, secure livelihoods, and the possibility of staying close to tradition while imagining new futures. Norlha offers an alternative to herding, helping reduce pressure on the grasslands while keeping the bond between people and yak intact. In eighteen years, we’ve watched children grow into artisans. Dorjee Tso was only two when we set up our first tents; now, she is a skilled tailor – a marker of what long-term commitment can mean. Our products are wholly ethical, vegan by nature, and made with minimal energy. Every decision from sourcing fibre to packaging, reflects a conscious approach to scale, sustainability, and impact. Norlha is grounded in the Tibetan Plateau, guided by its people, animals, and landscape. It is a story shaped by daily choices; in the way we make, the way we live, and the way we care. In each piece, a thread of this story endures: something warm, well made, and with meaning.