Naadam is a New York-based cashmere brand founded in 2013 by Matthew Scanlan and Diederik Rijsemus after they spent time with nomadic herders in Mongolia's Gobi Desert. It buys fibre directly from herders to cut out trading intermediaries and sells largely direct-to-consumer. Its signature sweater is priced at $98, well below typical luxury cashmere.
Key facts
- Founded 2013 by Matthew Scanlan and Diederik Rijsemus; headquartered in New York
- Sources cashmere directly from herders in the Mongolian Gobi Desert
- In 2015 the founders financed a first 50-tonne raw cashmere purchase with a $2.5 million loan
- The Original Sweater is priced at $98
Fibres and construction
Naadam works principally in Cashmere, Sea Island & long-staple cotton. Construction and techniques associated with the house include machine-knit. It is based in United States, American luxury knitwear is led by Los Angeles and New York labels: hand-dyed and hand-loomed cashmere from California, and direct-to-consumer cashmere houses that source in Mongolia..
How to judge Naadam quality
- For cashmere pieces, look for a stated micron count or grade, 2-ply yarn for sweaters, and a dense knit with no daylight through plain areas. See the cashmere grading guide.
Similar houses
Naadam: frequently asked questions
Where is Naadam knitwear made?
Naadam is based in New York, United States. Founded 2013 by Matthew Scanlan and Diederik Rijsemus; headquartered in New York.
What is Naadam known for?
Naadam is known for direct-from-herder Mongolian cashmere at accessible prices. Its principal fibres are Cashmere and Sea Island & long-staple cotton.
Is Naadam a luxury brand?
Naadam sits in the premium tier of this index (roughly $150–$400 for a sweater). Its construction methods include machine-knit. It is listed here on the basis of fibre quality, construction and provenance rather than price alone.
How much does Naadam knitwear cost?
Naadam is roughly $150–$400 for a sweater at the time of writing. In 2015 the founders financed a first 50-tonne raw cashmere purchase with a $2.5 million loan
Sources
- https://naadam.co/
- https://www.cnbc.com/2024/03/07/how-naadam-grew-from-risky-loan-to-lucrative-cashmere-fashion-brand.html
Facts verified against the sources above on 16 September 2026. Prices are indicative and change; check the house's own site.