Every high-quality item has its own origin story. For Barnard Mohair, this journey began in 1967 in Alicedale, a quiet town in the Eastern Cape. Initially, the business was started by John Paul Barnard, who discovered the potential of raw Angora wool during a visit to a friend, beginning to create hand-spun carpets and curtains from mohair.
Several years later, the brand took on its fashionable look after Jan Paul married Elsa Barnard, a designer from Munich. Together, they transformed local craftsmanship into a recognizable collection, expanding the range from home textiles to the luxurious mohair jumpers and jackets that are popular today.
Louise Cameron, the daughter and current owner of the Barnard Mohair clothing brand, helped at the factory and participated in trade shows from a young age. She recalls: 'During school holidays, we earned pocket money helping at the factory. That's how we learned how mohair is processed, dyed, and ultimately produced.'
About four years ago, Cameron took over the management of the company, introducing new design solutions and products, while also focusing on new sales and distribution markets. She admits that it was a serious learning curve but notes the huge support from staff, some of whom have worked at the company for over forty years.
According to Cameron, the Eastern Cape is one of the world's largest producers of mohair, supplying about 48% of the international market. Angora goat farms are mainly located in the vicinity of Kraddock, Kwanojoli (formerly Somerset East), Jansenville, and Willowmore. The goats are shorn twice a year, and farmers bring the mohair to auction in Gqeberha.
Cameron emphasizes that the company uses only mohair from the Eastern Cape, certified according to the Responsible Mohair Sourcing standard. This guarantees that the animals and farm workers receive necessary care and ethical standards are met. Furthermore, she considers the Eastern Cape a wonderful province to live in.
To present their products, Cameron told Food For Mzansi that initially, the business actively visited as many markets, shows, and exhibitions as possible. This allowed them to see customer reactions to new collections and understand which elements they liked, what could be changed, and which colors were in demand.
Later, the company launched a website and began using Instagram and Facebook to interact with the audience. She focused on connecting with old customers, keeping the brand in their memory. Despite the effort required for exhibition participation, it remains an excellent way to showcase products and meet new clients.
One of the company's main goals is educating customers about the unique properties of mohair. Cameron explains that it is not a widely known fiber, so they continue to explain its magnificent qualities. She calls it a noble fiber, which is among five such types in the world. Mohair is light, warm, and regulates temperature. Additionally, it dyes exceptionally well, allowing for bright, rich colors to create beautiful designs.
Cameron adds that lanolin, the natural fat in the wool, protects the fiber from dirt, meaning finished items do not require frequent washing.
When her father founded the business in 1967, social support was one of the key objectives. Cameron reports that they recently hired two additional employees, and most of the team members are women.
Sustainability is also very important. She notes that 96% of the products are made from natural fibers, using eco-friendly materials. Even the dyeing processes use vinegar and Lanaset dyes to ensure colorfastness without harming the environment.
Cameron believes in the power of one customer who loves the brand, but strategic collaboration has helped the business scale. As the company grew, it began working with retailers such as Corricraft, who provide significant support to their activities. They understand the mission of creating a beautifully crafted, high-quality product in the heart of the Eastern Cape, using exclusively South African mohair.
She also mentions that the luxury safari brand Singita has been a constant supporter of the company for many years. 'Singita genuinely believes in our business and is our long-term client. We believe in partnership; it is a great way to combine resources.'
The company offers several tips: pay special attention to personalized customer service, such as replacing a missing button or helping find the perfect shade; understand that the quality of the raw material directly determines the quality of the final product; actively maintain social media and call customers for feedback; and allow employees to experiment with ideas and acknowledge their successes, as one of the best-selling designs came from their seamstress.
The question arises as to why in Delhi shopping centers such as Sarojini Nagar, Lajpat Nagar, or Gandhi Nagar, jeans that cost 5000 rupees in large department stores can be found for only 800 or 1000 rupees. The initial reaction of most people is to assume that such a low price means a counterfeit. However, the real situation is more complex.
Although some items may indeed be counterfeit, a significant portion of the inexpensive clothing is explained by other reasons. Social media often circulates videos and posts claiming that very cheap clothing is sourced from the clothes of deceased people, but currently, there is no credible evidence or official confirmation of these claims. In many cases, cheap clothing represents export surplus, factory remnants, or goods with minor defects sold at a reduced price. Therefore, one should rely only on verified information, not on viral statements on social media.
It is interesting that this entire process originates not in any specific store or market, but in numerous large factories where products for well-known global fashion brands are manufactured. Every year, thousands of factories in India produce millions of units of clothing, most of which are exported to countries such as America, Europe, and other nations worldwide. This is why India has become an important center of the global apparel industry.
In cities like Noida, Gurugram, Tirupur, Bangalore, and Ludhiana, thousands of factories operate around the clock. Millions of items for international brands, including Zara, H&M, Levi's, Puma, Adidas, and Marks & Spencer, are produced in these factories. After inspection, most of the products are sent to America, the United Kingdom, Europe, and the Middle East. However, here begins the most curious twist of the story that few people know about.
Not every item produced is sent abroad. Some items remain in India due to overproduction, export surplus, inventory clearance, or other reasons, and are then supplied to our markets through various supply channels. This is what allows people to buy branded shirts or jeans for half or even less than their actual cost. Shmim Ahmed, owner of the Kanha Collection showroom in Gandhi Nagar, explained how branded clothing becomes affordable in Delhi markets. He stated that if a foreign brand orders 100 thousand T-shirts, the factory sometimes produces 103 or 105 thousand pieces for safety purposes to guarantee order fulfillment, even if some details are rejected during quality control. These excess goods, known as export surplus, can subsequently reach local markets through different channels.
Another important reason is exceeding the required production volume, known as 'overrun'. Furthermore, when a brand prepares a new collection, old stock is sold off with significant discounts to quickly make room. This stock then ends up in factory outlets, discount stores, or wholesale traders. This is why you can find the same branded shirt or jeans in some places for half the price you saw in a department store several months ago.
Yusuf, who runs a shop in Kamla Nagar, notes that not all cheap branded items sold in India are manufactured domestically. Some goods arrive from countries such as Bangladesh, Vietnam, China, Cambodia, Indonesia, Turkey, and Sri Lanka. These countries are major apparel production centers where many international fashion brands conduct their manufacturing. Sometimes, goods for inventory liquidation or authorized surplus arrive from these countries to international traders, which can then reach Indian wholesale markets.
Regarding the import of used clothing from other countries, the situation is more complicated. Many countries around the world have a long tradition of charity and second-hand sales. People in America, the UK, Japan, South Korea, and other European countries often donate or sell clothing they have worn for a short time or after changing styles. Some of this clothing is sold in local second-hand shops, and some is exported to other countries. Nevertheless, India has regulations regarding the import of used clothing, and not every piece of second-hand clothing can be directly put on sale in stores. Consequently, it is incorrect to assume that all cheap clothing in the market is imported and used.
Sarojini Nagar is considered not just a market, but a real treasure trove for fashion lovers. Here, you can find trendy clothing, export surplus, clearance items, and various fashion goods in one place. If you know how to bargain, the price can be even lower. Lajpat Nagar is known for quality clothing and ethnic fashion, while Gandhi Nagar is considered Asia's largest wholesale market for ready-made clothing, from which clothing is supplied to many states in the country. The Jafarabad area in Delhi is also known for its wedding attire and lehenga business. In some shops there, you can find used or once-or-twice-worn wedding outfits at a low price, although this is not guaranteed in all stalls.
It is extremely important to be vigilant because alongside export surpluses in the market, you can encounter fakes, replicas, and unlicensed products. Many people mistake a brand logo for a guarantee of authenticity, although reality may be different. For quality purchases, one should always carefully examine the seams, fabric, labels, buttons, zippers, and workmanship. One should not trust only the brand name in any store.
The answer to why clothing is so cheap lies not in one, but in multiple factors: export surplus, overrun, inventory clearance, factory outlets, and the network of large wholesalers. This is why the same type of clothing can have a different price in different places. Next time you see branded jeans for 800 rupees or a branded shirt for 500 rupees, do not rush to assume it is a fake. It might be export surplus, part of a clearance sale, or the result of overproduction at the factory. It is also possible that it is a first copy.
