Everything begins with fiber.
Yak wool is the material at the center of everything we make. Its warmth, softness, and natural lightness are what first drew us to it, and what continue to shape the way we design.
It comes from the animal’s fine undercoat rather than the heavier outer hair. The fiber is smooth, lightweight, and naturally hollow, helping it hold warmth while still allowing the body to breathe.
That fineness also matters against the skin. Yak down is flexible, so it tends to feel softer and less prickly than coarser traditional wools. It contains little to no lanolin, which some people with wool sensitivities may find easier to wear.
Yak wool is also naturally resistant to odor and does not need frequent washing. Often, airing a piece between wears is enough to refresh it.
Why it is compared to cashmere.
Yak wool is often compared to cashmere for its softness, warmth, lightness, and fine hand. The resemblance is real, but the material carries its own story.
Conventional cashmere production can place heavy pressure on pastureland when goat populations grow beyond what the landscape can support. Responsibly sourced yak wool offers a different relationship to the grassland. Yaks graze without pulling plants up by the roots, while seasonal movement helps prevent too much pressure from settling in one place.
That matters to us. We chose yak wool not as an imitation of cashmere, but as a material with its own beauty, character, and sense of responsibility.
A luxury fiber, grounded in sustainability.
Made to be reached for
For the women we design for, a knit has to do more than look good and keep warm. It needs to move easily through work, care, travel, changing weather, and the full shape of a day.
That is where yak wool keeps proving itself. It feels soft against the skin, holds warmth without bulk, and stays breathable enough to wear for hours at a time. The result is a piece that asks very little and gives a great deal back.
Care note: Air between wears when possible. For the gentlest care, we recommend dry cleaning. When hand washing is needed, use cold water, press gently without wringing, and lay flat to dry.
Our yak wool is sourced through Shokay, a woman-owned pioneer in responsible yak wool.
Shokay works directly with herding communities across the Tibetan highlands, bringing value to yak fiber at its source while supporting the people who know the material best.
Each spring, as yaks naturally shed their winter coats, herders gently comb the fine down by hand. Only a small amount is gathered from each animal, making the process seasonal, non-invasive, and naturally limited.
Through Shokay, the fiber is connected to herder income, community development, and the care of the grasslands where the animals graze.
That origin matters to us. Yak wool is not an endless input or a material chosen after the design is finished. Its availability, character, and seasonality help shape the collection from the beginning.
Tercette takes its name from tercet, a poetic form built in threes. That structure reflects the relationships at the center of the studio: material, form, and use; the piece, the wearer, and the life around it.
Our collections are produced in small seasonal editions, shaped by the yak wool available, the season around us, and the pieces we feel belong together.
Some forms may return in a new color, yarn, weight, or proportion. When they do, they are considered again rather than simply repeated.
Over time, the collections become an evolving wardrobe. Each belongs to the moment it was made for, while carrying forward ideas and silhouettes that continue to develop.
The archive holds that progression, tracing the pieces that have moved from the studio into daily life.
View The Archive
Shop The F/W 26 Collection
Still curious about yak wool?
A few practical questions about how it feels, wears, and fits into daily life.
Is yak wool itchy?
Yak wool is naturally soft, with fibers averaging around 18 microns, similar to fine cashmere.
Most people who find traditional wool uncomfortable are pleasantly surprised by yak wool's softness. Like all natural fibers, individual sensitivities vary, especially for those with wool allergies. If you're particularly sensitive, layering over a lightweight tee or shirt may feel most comfortable.
Can yak wool be worn year round?
One of yak wool's greatest qualities is its versatility.
Because it is naturally breathable and temperature regulating, many people comfortably wear it across autumn, winter, spring, and even cool summer evenings.
How does yak wool change over time?
Like all fine natural fibers, yak wool changes with wear. During the first few wears, you may notice some light pilling in areas of friction as loose surface fibers settle. This is a natural characteristic of premium knitwear rather than a defect and can be easily removed with a sweater comb or fabric shaver.
Over time, the fiber softens, relaxes into its shape, and develops an even more comfortable hand. With thoughtful care, your knit is designed to be returned to season after season.
What colors does yak wool naturally come in?
Unlike many fibers that begin as bright white, yak down naturally grows in earthy shades ranging from light taupe to deeper brown. These colors come directly from the animal, so they do not require bleaching or dyeing to become wearable colors.
When we call a color Undyed Light Brown or Undyed Dark Brown, we mean the shade comes from the yak fiber itself. Undyed Light Brown has a softer taupe-brown quality, while Undyed Dark Brown has more depth and earthiness.
Across our collections, we work with both undyed and thoughtfully dyed yarns. The undyed shades keep the material closest to its natural state, while dyed colors allow us to build a seasonal palette without losing the softness, warmth, and hand-feel we value in yak wool.
