Since 2013, a Cashmere Conception, The Story:
Gia Bardot was founded in Cape Town in 2013 by mother-daughter duo Yolande Bridger and Ty Wiese. The brand was born from a shared love of refined design and an adoration for high-end cashmere.
Ty, a former model, brand manager, and Parsons Paris student, brought a fashion-forward sensibility to the brand whilst Yolande returned to South Africa after two decades in the South of France designing interiors for superyachts and private jets – an experience that shaped her appreciation for subtle luxury and bespoke craftsmanship.
The two set out to create something timeless with unsurpassed quality that could be passed down to future generations. Their vision led them to a boutique manufacturer on the island of Mauritius, working exclusively with Cariaggi, the revered Italian mill known for its long-fibre yarns and ethical, sustainable practices. To this day, Gia Bardot continues to produce each garment with the same trusted maker – now considered part of the family.
As the brand took shape, Ty was also expecting her first child. The names Gia and Bardot were both under consideration – not only for the brand but also for the baby. In a serendipitous twist, one name became her daughter’s, and the other became the name of their new venture.
Gia Bardot is, in every way, a cashmere conception – woven from heritage, family, and a passion for lasting beauty.
From right to left, Bardot, Yolande & Ty
Our Cashmere
We exclusively use the finest Italian Cariaggi cashmere yarn in our garments, ensuring exceptional quality and luxury. The yarn is spun and dyed in Cagli, Marche region, Italy, using raw fibers sourced from the Alashan and Ordos regions of Inner Mongolia. These regions are known for producing exceptionally fine, long-staple cashmere fibers due to their cold, dry climate. Cariaggi utilizes fibers from Hircus Laniger goats (also known as Capra Hircus), specifically from their underfleece (duvet) which is collected during natural spring moulting. This underfleece averages an ultra-fine 14.5–15 microns. All processing is done in-house in Italy, allowing for exceptional quality control and sustainability. This results in lightweight, pill-resistant yarn with beautifully dyed soft tonal or rich saturated colors. Cariaggi’s approach to sustainability prioritizes caring for the environment, respecting human activity, and safeguarding future generations. Their Ethical Yarn Evolution collection is based on inclusive sustainability, focusing on environmental care, social interests, human activity, and animal welfare. Cariaggi also developed Systema Naturae, an entirely natural and ecological yarn, through a dyeing process that reduces synthetic chemicals and favors vegetable elements.
Our Factory
BECOME A RETAILER
If you’re interested in becoming a Gia Bardot retailer, we invite you to reach out to us for more information.