Of all the innovations born from our partnership with Maeko Filati, this is probably the one that fascinated us most as we developed it: the blend of yak fiber and our merino wool. A combination that brings together two very distant worlds—the highlands of Central Italy, where we raise our sheep, and the Himalayan plateaus, where yaks have lived for millennia—and that stems from a very simple principle: taking the best of two natural fibers to obtain a yarn that neither could produce on its own.
What yak fiber really is
The yak is an animal that lives across Tibet, the Himalayas, and parts of Mongolia and Central Asia, at altitudes exceeding 3,000 meters and in temperatures that can fall as low as -50°C. To survive in such extreme conditions, it has developed an undercoat called yak down (Yak fiber ), with extraordinary characteristics: a diameter of just 16–20 microns, entirely comparable to cashmere (which measures under 18.5 microns), and thermal insulation capacity that, according to several comparative tests, can exceed that of merino wool by up to 40%. The secret lies in the small air pockets that form between the fibers and in a natural fatty acid, myristic acid, which acts similarly to the lanolin in sheep’s wool, helping the fiber retain heat even in damp conditions.
The nomadic communities of the Tibetan Plateau have worked with this fiber for over a thousand years to make clothing, tents, ropes, and blankets: an artisanal knowledge as ancient as the merino wool craftsmanship that we continue to carry on in Central Italy.
Why blend it with merino instead of using it on its own
If yak down is so high-performing, it is natural to wonder why not use it pure. The answer lies in the “intimate blending” technique that characterizes Maeko Filati’s work: combining the fibers before spinning makes it possible to balance each one’s strengths. Merino wool, which we have always known and worked with, offers elasticity, shape retention, and the versatility that makes a yarn easy to knit while maintaining good performance over time. Yak adds greater insulating power and an even softer, almost silky hand. The result is a yarn that provides more warmth at the same weight, retains the shape of garments better over time, and offers a touch that approaches the feel of cashmere, while remaining a more accessible fiber and, above all, consistent with our philosophy of using exclusively natural raw materials.
A bridge between two short supply chains
There is also an aspect that is particularly important for us to share: when done properly, yak fiber is collected without requiring the animal to be slaughtered. It typically involves combing the undercoat during the seasonal shedding period, as part of a centuries-old relationship between Himalayan pastoral communities and their animals that resembles, in many ways, what we experience with our own flock in Central Italy. Two supply chains that are far apart geographically, yet close in philosophy: respect for the animal, for pastoral tradition, and for a product born more from patience than speed.
What it means for your garments
In the garments from the new collection made with this blend, merino brings its elasticity and its Italian short-supply-chain heritage, while yak adds the extra warmth needed during the harshest winter months, without making the garment heavier or compromising its lightness. This is exactly the kind of innovation that interests us: not a fashionable material, but a concrete response to a real need, developed through research with a partner, Maeko Filati , that shares our same commitment to the quality and naturalness of the raw material.
With this third article, we are closing, for now, the story of our new fall-winter collection. Keep following us: the first garments made with these new yarns will be arriving soon.
