About Us
Finding Inspiration in Every Turn
This is the community of Mongolian yak wool, felt, and sustainable cashmere producer artisans, cooperatives, local artists, and nomads. It was initiated by Ulziibat Enkhtur, a Mongolian born and raised in the Altai mountains, who lives between Switzerland and Mongolia today.
Our Story
We are a Swiss-Mongolian couple living in Switzerland. My husband, Alexander Hartig, lived for five years in Mongolia. Central Asia fascinates him because of its diverse cultures, infinite space, and nomads’ auto-sufficient lifestyle.
My grandparents were herders in the Altai mountains, and I was born and raised there. Therefore, Mongolians must preserve their nomadic way of life and authentic values. Men, nature, and their herding animals are interdependent.
Increasingly growing herds affect the degradation of pasture land. With this in mind, we work mainly with yak wool. Yaks graze the top of the grass, meaning they always leave it to re-grow. Pure wool is an alive substance. It feels the wearer and creates an affinity towards Mother Earth.
We have worked with freelance artists, felt-making cooperatives, and yak wool producers since 2010.
While majoring in anthropology at the University of the Humanities in Ulaanbaatar from 2004 to 2007, I engaged in 18 NGOs and 12 religious groups. I was on a quest to find ways to contribute to a better society.
As I grew up in the steppes, my natural choice was to support the nomadic way of life and introduce it to the outside world.
Therefore, the Swiss Brand 'Modern Nomad' was born in 2010, and the Mongolian Handicrafts Community has been building since then.
Ulziibat Enhktur,
Yak-down producing cooperatives
We work with 14 different Fine Quality Yak-down and Sustainable Cashmere-producing cooperatives and companies.
Designed by Mongolian artists and designers, made in Mongolia with Swiss quality and standard.
Mongolian Tribal Art Cooperatives
Community of Felt Producing Artisans, designers, artists and cooperatives
Felt handicrafts, carpets, and art-producing nomads and craftsmen in Bayan-Ulgii, Gobi-Altai, Arkhangai, and Ulaanbaatar.