In the world of tremendous handicrafts, the craft of Pashmina has adjoined nature with luxury. Pashmina is the indigenous handicraft of Kashmir served by generations of artisans. Pashmina as a Craft is versatile and rich through the shades of seasons. Existing in the Vale for many centuries, Pashmina has become a part of the heritage. Defining the beauty of skill over the years, the culture and traditions upheave the admiration of Pashmina. On the other hand, Cashmere wool has provided warmth together in its yarn of radiance. Cashmere is the finest wool procured from the undercoat of Changra Goats dwelling under the feet of Changhthanghi mountain in Ladakh.

In the season's arrival, you must be pondering about the better option for your attires of elegance. Whether you should consider Pashmina as your luxurious confidante? The answer is Definitely! There are ways of consideration of the craft of Pashmina through the designs and styles of luxurious fashion.

Moreover, there are distinct differences between the two of them. Pashmina, being the successor in terms of the luxurious fashion of Cashmere is exquisite. Pashmina, a process of spinning and weaving the finest grade of Cashmere is explicit. Thus, it is the crafting of the finest and purest Cashmere procured from Ladakh. Therefore, the whirls of creativity confer to the styles and designs of Cashmere by the art of Pashmina in the sphere of Luxurious Fashion. With a definite co-relation for each other, Pashmina and Cashmere are interlinked for their existence. Pashmina cannot exist without the finest Ladakhi Cashmere. Likewise, the finest Cashmere without the craft of Pashmina is like a lifeless soul.

From the dawn of Cashmere to the Dusk of Pashmina

Cashmere, from the undercoat of different types of exquisite Goat breeds, is obtained. Cashmere, procured from the downy and wooly pelage of the different breeds of Goats from around the world, especially from Mongolia, China, Iraq, Iran, and Nepal is of premium quality. Pashmina Shawls, specially made from the wool of the Changra breed of goats. The Cashmere from the feet of Changthangi mountain in the Ladakh region is the finest among all. It is the finest wool from the rarest breed of Changra belonging to the tribe of Changpa who are the traditional herders of Changra Goats. Therefore, the journey in Ladakh for the commencement of the creation of Cashmere.

Therefore, the Cashmere wool grown on the Changra goats is to combat the harsh winter season. Moreover, to overcome the heat of nature, it naturally sheds off the wool during the spring season. The wool, combed or plucked out manually as well is fine. Thereby, cultivated from nature to cherish every part of wool. The premium quality, preserved by plucking out the wool manually is a divine process. Furthermore, the wool grows toward the steps ahead for the curation under high-quality Pure Pashmina. The wool blesses off the magical yarn through the process of Spinning. Wherein, the women folk of the families tangle their skill to give shape to the yarn of Cashmere. Now, the crafting of the yarn is experienced in the handlooms of Kashmir. Woven with grace and diligence, the pashms, a Persian word meaning "soft gold" give rise to the meticulous craft of Pashmina.

How is finest Cashmere procured?

There are diverse breeds of Cashmere producing goats. Each breed has a specific percentage of production in the total production. The several breeds viz;  Australian Cashmere Goat, Liaoning, Inner Mongolia, Xinjiang, Hexi, Zhonghwei, Tibetan Plateau, Luliang breeds, Changthanghi, etc. Therefore, all the breeds produce Cashmere wool that produces warmth. The exclusive breed of goats called Changra Goats is rare species of goats that produce the finest of all Cashmere wool of diameter 12 to 16 microns. Changra goats are medium sized goats with two twisted horns and a peculiar fine wool surrounding their bodies only found in Ladakh. As Changhthanghi region of Ladakh is the coldest in winters, the Changra Goats develop thick wool coat over their bellies, behind ears and under neck for protection.

Eventually, the seasons change and the Goats adapt to spring by shedding off the wool by rubbing their bodies against trees and rocks. In addition, the herders comb out the excess wool to make the Changra goats well off in spring. In addition, the Goats produce fine Cashmere wool once every year. Therefore, only around 80 to 170 gm of Ladakhi Cashmere are produced during a year. Therefore, considered the rarest. Also, other breeds of it produce several times more as there are almost 400 million Cashmere eliciting Goats all over the world.

What is Pashmina Craft?

Pashmina Craft is the crafting of the finest Cashmere procured from a rare species of goats dwelling in the region of Ladakh. The foremost step is cleaning the Cashmere wool. There is a thorough cleaning of the wool to get all sorts of dirt out. After the process of cleaning, the next step is the procedure of Spinning. It begins by giving the local women the Cashmere wool to spin fine Cashmere yarn. The womenfolk of the valley mainly spin Cashmere wool. The process is done on the wooden wheel/charkha called yinder in the local language. Thus, the women artisans meticulously spin the Cashmere wool to the miraculously fine Cashmere yarn.

Afterward, the spun Cashmere yarn is taken to the local workshops/karkhanas to move ahead in the Pashmina Art. The next process is the weaving process. The weaving is the conversion of Cashmere yarn to fine Cashmere fabric. The intricate warps and wefts create the beautiful woven Cashmere fabric. Therefore, the most common pattern in weave is chashm_e_bulbul or the diamond weave. The weave is exclusively the masterpiece in itself. The eloquently woven Cashmere fabric goes on to further design.

Designing in Pashmina Craft

Designing starts in the valley of Kashmir after the required dimensions of the fine Cashmere fabric are crafted. The traditional design includes several patterns, prints, embroideries, and certain embellishments. There are several styles crafted in Pashmina Art viz; Cashmere wraps, Cashmere Scarves, and Pashmina Shawls. The design of each begins with the weaving process by cutting the Cashmere fabric to adequate lengths. Further, there are versatile designs in Pashmina Art including Embroidered, Patterned, Printed, Ombre, Solid, Kani, Embellished, Reversible, etc. Before the design begins, the Cashmere base is dyed in the Valley with precision and care.

There is the process of Dyeing by the dyer or Rangur in Kashmir to pervade Pashmina Shawls with the tinges of nature. In addition, the Designing begins in Kashmir itself where artisans work manually on each masterpiece with the beautiful intricacies in designs or Naqoosh. There are three main styles in Pashmina Craft viz: Cashmere Wraps, Cashmere Scarves, and Pashmina Shawls. Each style has definite variety of designs that showcase the richness of the Craft of Pashmina.

Profound Cashmere Wraps

The meticulous weaving of Cashmere yarn on the handlooms creates an accessory of uniqueness. The Cashmere Wraps are the explicitly woven Cashmere fibres with the most unique designs, patterns, weaves, and embroideries. Therefore, different wraps are distinguishable in their meanings. All shawls and stoles can come under the term of Wraps but not all wraps are shawls. In other words, the Word Wrap means "the outer covering". Therefore, in the fashion world, wraps are precisely termed as the accessory that covers the outer body. In the world of fashion, it's a contemporary term. Therefore, Cashmere Wraps stylizes every soul with its efficiency and elegance.

In addition, history has been familiar with Cashmere Wraps due to several reasons for luxury. From the contemporary style to the Old royalty, Cashmere Wraps have prolonged along with all generations. Meticulously woven like Kashmir valley, with the motifs and patterns of heritage, Cashmere wraps confer highly Luxurious fashion. Moreover, there are several designs in the collection of Cashmere Wraps.

Dainty Cashmere Scarves

Cashmere Scarves are versatile accessories from the Pashmina crafted in the glory of Kashmir Valley. Cashmere Scarves are crafted from the finest Cashmere wool of Changra Goats from Ladakh. A rare species of Goats produce the finest quality Cashmere. Further, the premium Cashmere wool is crafted in the Valley of Kashmir for several Cashmere accessories. There are various Cashmere accessories for Men as well as Women. In Pashmina accessories, an exquisite range of Cashmere Scarves is present. Cashmere Scarves are the outer clothing in the dimensions of 80in x 28in/2m x 70cm. Therefore, Cashmere Scarves are the elegant style of accessories adorning souls all over fashion. The accessories worn over by generations are these. Thus, crafted for the beautification of the attires and fashion. The luxurious presence of the Cashmere Scarves is touching the milestone of fashion.

Elegant Pashmina Shawls

Pashmina Shawls are the most versatile and presentable craft in the fashion world. Pashmina Shawls are diversified into various designs and styles to bring forth the best versions of you on any occasion initiating the happiness of the time ahead. The exploration of Shawls is described with a love for supreme glory and authenticity. There are distinct styles in the Pashmina craft. In the form of Pashmina Shawls, there are collections of Pashminas serving different virtues. The versatility in the styles and designs from Solid Pashmina to Swarovski Pashmina. The ability to mold into any design, pattern, and culture makes the Pashmina Shawls versatile. Indeed Pashmina Shawls are the most versatile. Can be presented as gifts for any occasion. Also, worn with formals, semi-formals, weddings, and casual styles. The colour palette of the collection of the Pashmina gathers the opulence in every occasion.

With elegance, the Pashmina Shawls helps in combating the chilly season of winter. As soon as the temperature drops, it's time to wrap around a Pashmina Shawl of genuineness and fineness. Also, the softness pledges to the warmth underneath to fulfill the winter with glory and glamour. The unique way of crafting Pashmina is through the hands of highly skilled artisans. From the finest Ladakhi Cashmere, the fleece is translated to radiant yarn. Thereby, creating the best Pashmina Shawls on the handlooms of the Kashmir Valley. Indeed making and curating with the hands of artisans, makes the Pashmina Shawl as special as the moon. The purity, fineness, and luxury confer to the well-defined Handcrafted Pashmina Shawls. From shedding the Cashmere wool to the hand dyeing of the Pashmina Shawls, the procedures remain confined to the nature of hand-made. Thus, preserving nature with highly skilled artisans of the valley of Kashmir.

How did Cashmere and Pashmina came into existence?

It all started when a Persian saint was traveling across the globe. Mir Syed Ali Hamdani was a sage from the Middle East. The footprints of a saint Mir Syed Ali Hamdani from the middle east came to Kashmir with 700 craftsmen to adorn the valley's beauty and spread the holy message. He rested his feet in the region of Changhthanghi Ladakh. Thus, the saint landed its appearance in the Changhthangi Mountain in Ladakh. While perceiving nature, he locked his eyes on the Goat of marvelous wool. Awestruck with the softness and fineness of the wool, he made socks out of it and gifted them to the Sultan Zain-ul-Abideen of Kashmir Valley. Perceiving the beauty of Cashmere wool, suggested making an industry that cultivates the Pashmina in desirable styles.

Also read: IS CASHMERE AVAILABLE IN ABUNDANCE?

Is Cashmere better?

Enumerating several differences will clarify the thought. Most people take these two terms quite synonymously. In the fashion world, the terms depict meanings to styles and norms. Therefore, these terms have specific meanings. There are distinctly diverse differences between the two.

Pashmina vs Cashmere

Firstly, Pashmina craft confers to the spinning and weaving of Cashmere wool from a particular breed of Goats. Ladakhi Changra goats give the finest Cashmere source for Pashmina. While on the other side, the Cashmere collection can have several pure Cashmere types of wool from the finest breeds around the world as their base.

Manual Processing

Secondly, the Cashmere yarn for Pashmina art can be spun only manually by hands due to the fine and delicate yarn. It ranges from 12 to 16 microns. The most delicate and finest Pashmina makes the collection of hand-crafted luxurious Pashmina Shawls. While other quality Cashmere is a bit coarser and can be spun on a power loom or machine loom. The quality differs on the basis of coarseness and fine presence.

Rare production

Thirdly, The production makes it the rarest and expensive, Pashmina art caters to the finest Cashmere for several art styles. Cashmere, from an exclusive breed in a specific period of the year is explicit. Only around 80 to 170 gms of Ladakhi Cashmere are produced during a year span. Therefore, considered the rarest. Also, other varieties of it are produced several times more as there are almost 400 million Cashmere producing Goats all over the world. Consequently, the production caters to the manufacture of different styles like Pashmina Shawls, Cashmere Scarves, and Wraps.

Ladakhi Cashmere

Fourthly, the marvel of luxurious fashion is imbibed in the Pashmina Accessories which is all due to the procurement of the finest Cashmere from Ladakh. Both Cashmere as well as Pashmina are responsible for each other's existence. Cashmere has traveled to Kashmir for its rich crafting.

Lastly, the rarity of Pashmina confers to its expensive and luxurious quality. On the other hand, Cashmere is produced in an adequate quantity for Cashmere wool accessories. Furthermore, the time taken to curate one exquisite Pashmina Shawl confers to the quality of its design and intricacy. Also, the warmth underneath a Pashmina Shawl propels the wearer to feel the luxury and skill in its creation.

Ingenious Craft - A bequeath journey

We, at Pashmina.com, have a soulful journey in the craft of Pashmina. We have been in the lives of artisans as their supporters for their livelihood. The high skill and diligence of each and every artisan inspire the fineness of our online platform. The heritage is revived over centuries to make the unique world of authentic fashion. Profoundly defined in nature, Pashmina Craft belongs to the class of premium quality. The Ladhaki Cashmere from the rarest breed of Goats cherishes the creation of artisans further.

Moreover, the valley itself preserves the skill of artisans from one generation to the other generation. The vividness in the skill of these artisans caters to the collection on our online platform. Further, the men's collection performs harmony with the attires belonging to casual, semi-formal, and formal. Similarly, the women collection has graceful elegance in its designs, patterns, prints, weaves, and embroidery. Different ways of styling, as well as distinct appearances, make the presence of luxury more wearable.

Framing the craft of Pashmina into world-class masterpieces is the prerequisite. Our platform confers to the state of authenticity in every yarn of Cashmere. Also, the craft forms a well-defined revere of Luxurious fashion. The heritage of the valley also confers to the uniqueness of culture and traditions. The artisans of the valley rely upon their livelihood in the craft of Pashmina for ages now. Therefore, catering the wellness with sustainability to nature makes our platform well recognized.

Also read: IS CASHMERE THE SAME AS PASHMINA?