Gobiwear Story
Fashion with Purpose
Welcome to this beloved chapter of my recent endeavor! I am honor to introduce you to Gobiwear.
Gobiwear was a vision that came to an end in its infancy due to the unprecedented challenges of the pandemic. Despite the closure, I still want to carry forward the mission we set out to accomplish. Support local businesses, embrace sustainability, and help preserve the cultural heritage of the camel herding communities and the delicate ecosystem of the Gobi Desert area.
When I embarked on this venture, my mission was clear: to create stylish and functional outdoor wear brand using Camelrong, a cherished organic and traditional clothing material known to the Mongolians. At Gobiwear, we aimed not only to provide exceptional products but also to uplift and support the camel herding communities and the delicate ecosystem of the Gobi Desert area.
Gobiwear's mission extends beyond fashion; it was about fostering a deep connection with nature and supporting the communities that have depended on camel herding for generations.
Though the story of Gobiwear may have ended prematurely, let us carry the spirit of our mission forward. Thank you for reading our story.
About Bactrian camels and camel herding
Gobiwear: Preserving Traditions, Embracing Nature
In Inner Mongolia, China, on the southern edge of the vast Gobi Desert, bounded by Badain Jaran Desert at northwest, lies the Tengri Desert. The name “Tengri” means “heavenly father” in Mongolian language. In the Tengri Desert, an accelerated desertification has caught some international attention. Some scientists said that it is caused by climate change and human activities[1], due to the rapid economic expansion in the recent decades. At an unprecedented pace in the recent decades, Tengri is growing. Many native villages have been forced to move away.
The Bactrian camel specie, also known as two-humped camel, is indigenous to the Gobi Desert. These camels are unique creatures and can survive extreme harsh environments, such as extreme cold and hot climate in the Gobi Desert. Bactrian camels are primarily herbivores, however, they can feed on anything they can find in extreme conditions. Once they are fed with enough food and water, they can go without eating for several weeks. Their dietary habits make them one of the few surviving species on earth from many climate changes in the past history. However, today they are facing new challenges from human activities and urban expansions.
Camels play an important role in the sustainable ecosystem of the Gobi Desert. Camels are natural gardeners of the desert vegetation. Proportional number of more camels can slow down the desertification.
Camels are migratory and don’t stay in one place for too long, they like to graze the top of the vegetation. This behavior very much resembles what gardeners do to trim the plants to help them grow. Camels can thrive on wide range of desert vegetation, mostly thorny and salt-watered, like tamarisk and saxaulon, which are commonly found in the Tengri Desert. Camel herding has been an important tradition, a transportation necessity, and a sizable income to the native Mongolians for thousands of years. But in the recent decades, things are different; camels no longer generate more income than other livestock like goat, sheep and cattle. Camels need a vest area to roam, dislike the other livestock that can live in a small fenced area. Camel herding involves training techniques and distant chasing, which historically were done by young men. Unfortunately, in the contemporary days, the younger generations prefer new opportunities and life style in urban cities. Many remaining farmers are mostly older generation. More families have given up camel herding.
At Gobiwear, our mission was to create functional outdoor wear that not only provides style and desirability but also generates interest and awareness for supporting the sustainable camel herding tradition in the Gobi Desert. Committed to use 100% organic Camelrong and quality materials, Gobiwear partnered with a local dehairing manufacturer from Alxa, Inner Mongolia, known for their sustainable practice. Through our partner, we were going to collaborate directly with herder communities. We aimed to create economic opportunities and empower them to sustain their traditional way of life while safeguarding the delicate balance of the ecosystem.
About Camelrong
CAMELRONG - A regiested trademark
Definition: the inner layer, cashmere-like, fine protein fiber that grows beneath the long and coarse protective layer of camel hair. Also known as "camel wool", "camel down".
Attributes:
There are many interesting attributes about Camelrong, one of which is that Camelrong is characteristically different from the outer layer hair. The core of the outer hair is solid, while the core of the inner layer Camelrong is hollow.
Camelrong has a temperature regulating attribute, due to its hollow core structure. This hollow core works as an air insulator mitigating condensation, it can wick away the excessive humidity from your body. You'd always feel dry and comfortable. This makes Camelrong a warm and breathable, a wonderful organic material for fall and winter clothes.