The founder of Silk and Cashmere, Ayşen Zamanpur is a successful entrepreneurship example for 30 years with her cashmere brand. We have talked with Zamanpur about the story of Silk and Cashmere, which was inspired by the Copra Hircus cashmere goats in Inner Mongolia and to opened stores all over the world.
The seeds of Silk and Cashmere are planted during a trip to Mongolia. In fact, you talked about your previous book, Kashmir Yolu, and we would like to hear the foundation story of your brand from you.
If we go back to 1992, at that time, retail was not as attractive as it is today, nor was the topic of branding such a bright topic. The concept of entrepreneurship was almost non-existent. As a result of our many trips, researches and feasibility studies, we realized that there is no cashmere brand in the world in the field of quality but accessible luxury. We set our eyes not only on Turkey, but also on the world. Ours is the story of finding such a niche and creating a brand by working hard with a small team, with very few people, with countless travels for that niche. Moreover, neither cashmere nor silk existed in our country. We were aiming for the world.
“Pure cashmere creates a tide feeling on your skin.”
We have deployed the epicenter, brain team and creative staff in Turkey. We shifted our production to Inner Mongolia / China, which is the homeland of both valuable raw materials. In 1992, we became one of the foreign companies that made the first joint venture (joint investment). Over the years, I think we have succeeded in becoming a popular brand in the field of silk and cashmere in many countries by opening our own stores, giving dealerships or opening corners in the most exclusive shopping environments of the world.
You describe cashmere as “a tide in the skin”. What makes cashmere so valuable? Can you talk a little bit?
Yes, pure cashmere creates a feeling of tide on your skin… We liked this sentence, which best describes its cloud-like feeling, its texture that wraps you but does not burn, does not hurt, does not sting, but only gives pleasure, and we have made it our motto.
“Like our symbol, the cashmere goat, we have been standing stubbornly, patiently and determinedly for 30 years, never giving up and risking everything to achieve the difficult…”
