A Pashmina Shawl is an accessory of luxury, crafted in the Kashmir Valley with diligence and craftsmanship. With richness of intricacy and luxury, the beauty of each masterpiece of Pashmina Shawl relives traditions and heritage. Thus, the endless crafting that reciprocates sustainability makes a way for the beauty of Pashmina as a craft of Kashmir.

Origin of Pashmina

Stunning land of Ladakh - All you need to know about the Pashm fibre
The Changthangi goats in the Himalayas with the herder

It all started when a Persian saint was travelling 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 beauty of the valley and to 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 marvellous 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. Thus, perceiving the beauty of Cashmere wool, suggested making an industry that cultivates the Pashmina in desirable styles.

Crafting a Pashmina Shawl

The crafting of finest Cashmere procured ethically from Ladakh is Pashmina Craft. With this definite craft, the beauty of luxury reflects along the intricate crafting of a Pashmina Shawl.

Collection of Raw Fleece

The raw wool is procured from Changra goats. They dwell near the foothills of the Changhthanghi range. The goats develop a thick wool on their bodies to protect themselves from harsh winters. This wool is highly soft and fine. Eventually, when spring arrives, the goats shed their wool by rubbing against rocks and trees. Additionally, the herders comb out the excess wool and make small packets to transfer to the valley of Kashmir.

Raw cashmere fibre
Raw cashmere fibre before cleaning

Cleaning and Sorting

The small packets of Cashmere wool reach the valley of Kashmir. The local cleaners clean the Cashmere wool and thoroughly dry the Cashmere wool. Further, the soft wool is sorted and chosen for further steps of Pashmina Crafting.

Spinning the Delicate Yarn

After cleaning and sorting, The Cashmere wool is given to the womenfolk of Kashmir valley, and the Art of spinning begins. Therefore, the women spin the Cashmere wool into Cashmere yarns on a wooden wheel called a yinder. The skill of spinning is the forte of women of the valley.

The Art of Weaving

weaving cashmere
Artisan weaving the Pashmina on the wooden handloom

Further, the Cashmere yarn is taken to the local karkhanas/workshops where several handlooms are fixed. These handlooms are made of forest wood. The highly skilled artisans work upon the handlooms using their hands and feet in coordination with the process. The process of weaving is to use Cashmere yarn to create warps and wefts. Thus, producing a whole fine Cashmere fabric. The Cashmere produced is given the required dimensions. Thus, crafting of Pashmina shawl.

Dyeing with Natural Colors

The finest Cashmere is imbued with azo-free dyes to touch the luxury with hues and tones of nature. Also, this step signifies the richness of Pashmina Craft as it imbues the liveliness of the aura of Kashmir's scenery and nature.

Embroidery: Adding the Final Touches

Artisan Hand Embroidering Pashmina
Hand-embroidering the Pashmina

The finest Cashmere fabric after dyeing is embroidered in specific hand embroideries including Sozni, Aari, Paper Mache, Aksi and Tilla Dozi. The intricate hand embroidering of each masterpiece of Pashmina reflects nature and high skill of craftsman of the valley of Kashmir.

Characteristics of a Pashmina Shawl

There are several characteristics of a Pashmina Shawl that define fashion and luxury on another level.

High-end Softness

The Ladakhi Cashmere, crafted to make a Pashmina Shawl, is highly soft and fine. The wool is 10-16 microns in diameter. Thus, the Pashmina Shawl is crafted from a highly soft and luxurious material.

Unmatched Warmth

The ultimate Cashmere fibres can trap air, and thus they entrap the surrounding temperature and provide adequate warmth to the wearer.

What do you wear with a Pashmina shawl?

Ombre Pashmina
The bright and alluring shades enrich your winter wardrobe and ensure you look the best version of yourself

Pashmina Shawl is an epitome of luxury crafted with diligence and skilled craftsmanship. It can be worn with several of types of accessories or as an accessory itself.

Pashmina - For a Chic Look

Pashmina Sawl has entangled itself well with contemporary chic looks including any modern attire.

The Classic Jeans and Shirt

Take your Pashmina Shawl and drape it while wearing your casual jeans and T-shirt. Thus, this effortless look is well for any grocery day or shopping spree day.

Flowy Sundress

The warm seasons also take Pashmina Shawl well by wearing any sundress to feel the breeze of summer while draping elegance.

Boho Look

The Pashmina Shawl goes well with any attire like maxi dress. Thus, take your Pashmina Shawl and drape it in any way to make the look more boho like the season demands.

Pashmina for Office

Women often believe that Pashmina shawls are embroidered and colorful, and hence only preferable for weddings and parties. But this is definitely not the case. Pashmina shawls can be easily added to a formal outfit and one can look even more formal with its addition. Here are some style to match Pashmina shawls with office attires:

Business Casual

Drape your Pashmina Shawl with your formal attire to showcase luxury and grace alongside the beauty of contemporary business casual.

Pashmina - Everyday Elegance

Patterned Pashmina
The Pashmina wrap is as easy as it is essential for your winter accessory wardrobe for the modish pattern of pin stripes it hosts

Pashmina shawls are the epitome of versatility. These luxury accessories aren't just for special events but can be used for a regular use too. As seasons begin to change and there is a nip in the air, Pashmina shawls are the most preferable wraps one can think of, owing to their warmth, breathability and comfort. Here are a few ways one can wear Pashmina shawls in winters:

Trench Coat Chic

Drape your Pashmina Shawl with trench coats, suits, and warmers in the winter season to get additional warmth and softness from the accessory. Thus, the beauty of luxury is explored all over the world through this look.

Monochromatic Magic

Drape your colorful Pashmina shawl with some monochromatic attire to add the pop of luxury whenever you drape it.

The Best Travel Companion

Whenever you are going on some trip, accompany yourself with a Pashmina Shawl worn as a shawl, wrap, or a throw to provide comfort on any day.

Pashmina Shawl - A go-to Accessory at pashmina.com

We, at pashmina.com, craft authentic and luxurious Pashmina Shawls with diligence. The varied range of Pashmina Shawl, including Solids, Ombre, Embellished, embroidered, printed, etc., provides a wide spectrum of options to relish the season of fashion. You can drape any Pashmina Shawl with elegance, as the Pashmina Shawl itself is an identity of grace and luxury.

Also read: How Cashmere Scarf is in style for 2025?