Ensconced among rolling hills at 3,200 meters is the nomadic settlement of Ritoma Village.
Its population of 1,500 is outnumbered almost 10:1 by the yaks grazing nearby.
The Dhundup familys yaks roam across the Tibetan Plateau.
Pema Tso joined Norlha in 2015, starting in quality control and now overseeing orders and global logistics. A mother of two young daughters, she wears the fall 2024 collection.
The rarest yaks have golden brown or white coatsmost are dark brown, with some in shades of gray.
Multiple generations of Norlha women gather after a days work66% of the brands workforce is female.
The lounge and dining hall are newly completed, and the scent of freshly cut pine fills the room.
The Dhundup family’s yaks roam across the Tibetan Plateau. The rarest yaks have golden brown or white coats—most are dark brown, with some in shades of gray.
This seasons designs feature subtly weathered details, capturing the natural power of the Plateau.
Norlhas chief community officer, Serwu Kyap, and inventory manager, Dorjee Dhundup, perform alaptseceremony.
Warm, earthy tones are a Norlha signature.
Multiple generations of Norlha women gather after a day’s work—66% of the brand’s workforce is female.
The designs in these shades use natural, undyed fibers.
Nomads Karmo Tso and Kathap Tso herd yaks across the plateau shortly after sunrise.
The atelier, where the shuttles of weaving looms clatter rhythmically, is Norlhas beating heart.
Norlha’s chief community officer, Serwu Kyap, and inventory manager, Dorjee Dhundup, perform alaptseceremony.
Just as the architecture has evolved, so too have the production methods.
We use 18th-century flying shuttle looms that Britain sent to India after automated looms emerged.
Norlhas meticulously handspun textiles have attracted collaborations with the likes of Hermes.
Nomads Karmo Tso and Kathap Tso herd yaks across the plateau shortly after sunrise.
A Norlha artisan weaveskhulluon an 18th-century British loom imported from India.
Hermes was an early collaborator, sourcing handspun textiles from the brand.
Khulluis cashmere-soft but nearly twice as breathable, and 30% warmer than sheeps wool.
Norlha’s meticulously handspun textiles have attracted collaborations with the likes of Hermès.
Norlha founders Dechen Yeshi (left) and her mother, Kim Yeshi (right).
Norlha is deeply rooted in its community, with artisans frequently featured in the brands campaign imagery.
Pema Tso sits among local wildflowers.
A Norlha artisan weaveskhulluon an 18th-century British loom imported from India.
Ritomas proximity to Labranga major Gelugpa (Yellow Hat sect) monastery in Tibetan Buddhismwas a significant attraction.
A lama guides me through Labrangs temples and the Institute of Medicineone of sixtratsang(monastic colleges).
The lamas burgundy and fuchsia robes have inspired the hues of Norlhas naturally pleatedkhullusilk scarves.
Norlha founders Dechen Yeshi (left) and her mother, Kim Yeshi (right).
It is about celebrating thekhulluthrough simple, classic designs where people feel comfortable.
Kim likens Norlhas mission to how the Scottish developed tweed.
We work with local artisans, using locally sourced quality materials and natural colors.
Dukar Tso, a master weaver who has worked at Norlha since 2008, wears the handspun “River” blanket, crafted from 100% yak khullu.
These pieces have value; they are crafted to grow old with you; they have provenance.
I follow as the family releases their yaks from the night enclosure and onto the fog-veiled grasslands.
Here at Norlha, the spirit of the Plateau is woven into every fiber and thread.
Pema Tso sits among local wildflowers.
Her husband and daughter also work at Norlha.
Pema Tso recently joined her two sisters and two nieces at Norlha, leaving her nomadic life to work as a chef in the staff dining hall.
Dukar Tso (left), a Norlha artisan since 2008, excels in weaving carpets and intricate scarf details. Her husband and daughter also work at Norlha. She is photographed alongside her sister Rinchen Kyi (right) who joined Norlha four years ago after transitioning from a nomadic lifestyle with her husband.
