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Style with a touch of humanity
Shokay, founded in 2006, is the world’s first lifestyle brand focused on using yak fibers to provide maximum warmth, comfort, & style. Shokay prides itself not only in its classic and modern designs, but also in its social impact.
We, Carol Chyau and Marie So, met when we were classmates at the Harvard Kennedy School’s MPA/ID program. Carol, from Taiwan, and Marie, from Hong Kong, saw in each other the passion and perseverance to promote the “social enterprise” concept in the Greater China region. After almost a year of researching and brainstorming, we decided that the best way to help catalyze the growth of social enterprise in China was to start one ourselves.
In January 2006, we visited Yunnan, where we saw a need for poverty alleviation. However, there we also saw abundant resources – YAKS! The seeds of Shokay was born.
Together with a few friends, we entered the Harvard Business Plan Competition, Social Enterprise Track, and placed first. With the prize money, our team trekked all over China following the footprints of yaks. In the beginning, we knew very little about yak fiber or of the textiles industry. We searched everywhere for experts to help, from the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, yak experts all over China, to the Esquel Group, one of the largest cotton manufacturers in the world.
By November 2006, we formally founded Shokay. Since then, Shokay has been recognized both internationally and locally. In 2006, we placed first in the Business in Development Competition; in 2008, we were selected as Echoing Green Fellows; in 2009, Marie was selected as one of the 100 Young Global Leaders of the World Economic Forum and Carol was selected as the Asian Finalist in the Cartier Women’s Initiative Awards.
Shokay can now be found around the world in over 100 stores in 10 countries. We have come a long way, but we also have a long way to go. Thank you for your encouragement and support.
Happy Yakking!
Carol & Marie |
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