A few moments with Norlha’s founder Kim Yeshi, on her travel must-haves, favorite hotels, and dream destinations.

Kim Yeshi of Norlha has spent three decades living in Asia, researching and developing indigenous handicraft in an innovative fashion.

Norlha’s artisans, many of whom live on the Tibetan Plateau, create exceptionally soft knitted apparel using the obscure—but locally abundant—yak wool fiber. Although the business possesses all the elements of small-scale, local production (wool is collected, then hand-spun and -woven in Norlha’s Tibetan workshop), the designs have won the acclaim of Louis Vuitton and Balmain.

Given her design credentials—and her ability to flawlessly link the seemingly disparate—we asked Yeshi to share what inspires and shapes her world. From Bach to New Delhi, her answers are below.

My motto is… “Look at the positive side of things.”

The piece of advice I give most frequently is… Take care of the inside; the outside will take care of itself.

A free evening is best spent… Relaxing, thinking, catching up, and being ready for tomorrow.

Artisans I admire include… The Kashmiri weavers of the 19th century and the Tibetan [Buddhist] Statue makers.

I would like to collaborate with… Urban Zen.

The best thing I can make is… A handspun, 100% yak wool shawl.

My favorite photograph depicts… An old Tibetan woman with her prayer beads.

The last great book I read was… Empress Dowager Cixi by Jung Chang and The Garden of Evening Mists by Tan Twan Eng.

The one album I’d bring on a road trip is… The Brandenburg Concertos by Bach.

I’d describe my home as… Comfortable, spacious, with a beautiful view.

My favorite meal to make at home… Mushroom dumplings.

My favorite hotel is… The Imperial in New Delhi, India.

I never travel without… My iPad.

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