● Tell us about House of Tengri?
Tengri is an award-winning social enterprise pioneering regenerative noble fabrics and yarns. The company began after realising a lifelong childhood dream to travel to remote mountains and live with nomadic families in Mongolia. In the Khangai Mountains, I discovered that nomadic families supply cashmere fibres for the luxury fashion and textiles industry. I witnessed firsthand the inequities in the supply chain and the industry's negative environmental impacts.
There, I also encountered the Khangai yak, an ancient animal that has been on our planet for over 10,000 years. Its noble fibres are as rare as vicuña, as soft as cashmere, warmer than merino wool, and naturally resistant to pilling, water, and odours. Despite these qualities, it had been overlooked by the global luxury market.
With the blessing of the families, Tengri was born. I even wrote Tengri's business plan on the back of a chocolate wrapper! We secured a 10-year trade partnership with Mongolian herders, supported by local and national government, to introduce this precious noble fibre to the market. The name “Tengri,” meaning Sky Gods, reflects the brand’s connection to the cultural and spiritual heritage of Asia’s last mountain communities, honoring the land, people, and natural phenomena.
● You have deep roots in Asia, America and the UK – how have they informed your life and work?
Growing up as an Asian American female, a first-generation refugee, and living across continents and among communities from diverse socio-economic backgrounds profoundly shaped my worldview.
My time in Mongolia introduced me to the nomadic way of life, instilling a deep respect for living in harmony with nature. It redefined sustainability for me—principles I now apply in my urban lifestyle.
The UK's rich textile heritage and America’s entrepreneurial spirit inspired me to honour tradition while embracing innovation, blending heritage crafts with modern art and design collaborations.
Navigating feelings of "otherness" in my formative years was challenging without role models like me. Today, I view my cultural differences as a unique gift, informing Tengri's manifesto. I’m proud to bridge diverse global communities, creating a new kind of luxury —one that challenges the status quo and connects us all through a single thread.
● What you and your brand do is deeply interwoven with the way of life of indigenous and nomadic communities. Tell us more.
Indigenous nomadic communities are stewards of some of the world’s most fragile ecosystems. By working directly with them, we preserve traditions, protect their livelihoods, and safeguard the environment. Tengri is more than a brand—every product sold supports the land, animals, and unique cultural heritage threatened by industrialisation and climate change.
Our trade agreement was a first for Mongolian nomadic communities, enabling them to leverage legal trade contracts with an international entity. This facilitated access to financial tools, empowering them economically and ensuring representation in policies affecting herders. Community-inclusive supply chains and equitable partnerships are integral to sustainability, a cause I am passionate about promoting.
● Sustainability is a key pillar of your House of Tengri – what can we all learn from your working practices?
Sustainability means different things to different people. For me, it starts with valuing life and prioritising long-term impact over short-term gains to enhance the well-being of people, plants, and animals—now and for future generations.
At Tengri, our production rhythms align with nature’s cycles and the lived wisdom of our suppliers, enabled by transparent supply chains. I’m documenting these principles in The Tengri Way, a book to be published in 2025. Here are the six pillars of our sustainability approach:
Collaborative Partnerships: Respectful, equitable trade, not aid.
Community & Cultural Preservation: Embedded in the business.
Conservation: Protecting tangible and intangible resources.
Circularity: Zero waste—reuse, repair, recycle, regenerate.
Impact: Enhancing societal and environmental well-being.
Quadruple Bottom Line: Measuring People, Planet, Purpose, Profit.
● You are a lecturer at Central Saint Martins – what do you feel is your key message to the next generations?
It’s a privilege to share my experiences and inspire different ways of design thinking. Many industries are rooted in exploitation, extraction, and waste, often neglecting or supressing the cultures and customs of a source material and community. I encourage students to rethink how products or services are designed, made, and delivered. Who is involved, and what impacts do these processes have? Change begins with decisions. We can design the future we want and be agents of change through better choices and collaboration.
● Where do you see House of Tengri going? Where would you like it to travel to in the next few years?
House of Tengri began with friends traveling in Mongolia, where the idea to create a London-based brand to support nomadic families took shape. I envision continuing this tradition. This past summer, for the first time Tengri invited people to experience the communities, yaks, and mountains—the sustainable source of our noble fibers.
Christine Hanway, a fellow EEAG member, joined our inaugural Khangai Mountains trip, inspiring a new impact initiative called Source Mountain, launching in 2025. I’m excited to share more collaborations and experiences that connect communities in Bhutan and Nepal over the coming years.
● What are your top three tips for experiencing the mountains.
Immerse Yourself: Slow down and connect with the environment, people, plants, animals, food and local culture.
Respect the Land and People: Follow and respect local customs, and engage with indigenous communities to understand their sacred connection to the land. And always respect your hosts and guides.
Be Prepared: Weather and terrain can be unpredictable, so prepare well. Embrace the adventure but also know your limits—it’s part of the magic.
Leave No Trace: Always leave a place the way you found it, tread lightly and stay on the trail. With every step, you may be accidentally destroying an entire microcosm of life.
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