Cashmere, a delicate fabric crafted in Kashmir Valley is the finest. The fineness of Cashmere makes the softest and most luxurious accessories. These demand care due to high quality and natural crafting. The durability of the Pashmina accessory also depends on the way people wear it. It also depends on the way people have taken care of it. If these accessories have to be kept alive for generations, then there are specific ways of securing its luxury presence for decades. Exploring the definition of luxury involves properly taking care of Pashmina.
Pashmina is a luxurious craft that makes Cashmere accessories one-of-a-kind. The crafting begins in Ladakh and takes its shape in the Valley of Kashmir. Crafting in Kashmir is an extremely supreme and manual process that beautifully captures every essence of the journey. Further, there are definite ways of taking care of Cashmere at home. Before moving to Pashmina care, a journey awaits. The journey will help to know one's accessory better
The Procuring the fine Cashmere
The Ladakhi Cashmere goats in Ladakh while the winter is at its peak
A rare species of Goats known as Changhthanghi Goats have an undercoat of Pashmina wool around their bodies to prevent the harsh winters from entering their bodies. They are medium-size goats with two twisted horns. They develop the wool on their bodies while the winter is at its peak and the temperature goes to a minimum of minus 40 degrees Celsius. Eventually, when the season of winter changes to summer, the goats shed this wool off by rubbing it with rocks and barks. The herders also comb the excess wool off to sell in the market. Due to the rare species of Goats, the portion of Ladakhi Cashmere herders acquire is 80 to 160 gms a year. The wool is fine Cashmere wool.
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 a rare species of goats that produce the finest Cashmere.
In addition, the Goats produce fine Cashmere wool once every year. Therefore, goats produce only around 80 to 170 gms of Ladakhi Cashmere 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. Consequently, the production caters to the manufacture of different styles like Pashmina Shawls, Cashmere Scarves, and Cashmere Wraps.
Pashmina Crafting in Kashmir
Artisan spinning the cashmere on yinder
After the arrival of Cashmere in Kashmir, the first and foremost step in Pashmina Craft is the cleaning of the Cashmere wool. Artisans do it after thoroughly cleaning the Cashmere wool. Later artisans carry the wool to the homes of Kashmir where women work on a spinning wheel (called Yinder in the local language). They spun the Cashmere to make fine yarns. The fine and soft yarns are softer than anything.
After the process of Spinning, artisans weave the yarn to craft a Shawl, Cashmere Wrap or Cashmere Scarf. This is the process of hand Weaving. Enforced by the men's artisans who weave the Cashmere yarns on a handloom made of wood. Artisans work in the workshops where they set these handlooms up. The aura of Kashmir is adjoined in every interweave. Afterwards, workers dye the Pashmina accessory as per requirement. Eventually, given to the artisans who work on each cashmere accessory with the designs required including patterns, prints, hand embroidery, Embellishments, etc.
Mir Syed Ali Shah Hamdani came with an elixir of Pashmina
Pashmina handicraft was given as a skill to the people of Kashmir by the craftsmen of Persia accompanying the saint called Mir Syed Ali Hamdani. He was a mystic who traveled to the world to preach Islam. While traveling to Kashmir, the saint landed in Ladakh. He was astonished to see the species of Goats at the feet of Changhthanghi mountain. The wool they owned was softest and finest. That is why the goats are called Changhthanghi Goats. He combed out the wool from the goat and crafted a pair of socks from it. He also named the wool Pashmina. Derived from a word called pashm which means "king of fibres" or "gold fibre" in Persian.
The saint visited Kashmir with his scholars and 700 Craftsmen. His craftsmen taught the crafting of Cashmere to the local people of Kashmir. From then till now, Pashmina enlivens the hearts of the Artisans of Kashmir through generations.
This beauty has taken a year to complete, and after the meticulous work of hundreds of artisans, the shawl comes out to be magnum opus
The heritage of Kashmir has handicrafts that are highly luxurious. Pashmina Craft is a handicraft among the other premium handicrafts. The finest wool procured from a rare species of Goats called Changra Goats is Cashmere. To craft the luxury of Cashmere, Pashmina Art of Kashmir reflects the grace of hand skill of artisans on it. Therefore, it is the crafting of the finest Cashmere procured from Changra Goats who dwell at the feet of Changhthanghi, Ladakh. This craft is an indigenous craft belonging to the luxury of fashion.
There are mainly three types of Pashmina Craft styles; Cashmere Wraps, Cashmere Scarves, and Shawls. Cashmere Wraps are versatile accessories that travel towards the contemporary era of defined fashion. There are several designs in Cashmere Wraps including the rich Kani Cashmere Wraps, Hand-embroidered Cashmere Wraps, Patterned, Printed, Swarovski crystals, Laced, Solid, and Reversible Cashmere Wraps. Also, cashmere Scarves enforce versatile designs to reveal the beauty of Pashmina with such elegant accessories. Furthermore, Pashmina Shawls are the traditional accessories that define the fashion of royal courts as well as profuse to showcase modern fashion. Endless designs created on the Pashmina Shawls to define luxury are there.
Do's while caring for Pashmina wrap
Firstly, keep your wrap in a dry place away from sunlight. It will precisely help in caring for Pashmina. In case of contact with moisture, clean it and dry it out to get it moisture free as soon as possible.
While washing the wrap, make sure to use the light hand and hold it gently.
Wash the wrap with a gentle Cashmere soap or any other mild cleansing soap.
Always wash Pashmina in lukewarm water to ensure the softness of the accessory.
Gently brush the Pashmina accessory after every wear to clean it as they hoard dust easily.
Store the Pashmina in a muslin cloth to avoid the development of lint. You can also store Pashmina wrapped in chemical-free tissue paper to avoid the attack of moths.
In addition, use a clean outer box or storage drawer where you can keep the wrap separately away from all other clothes. Remember to put some Azadirachta indica or Indian Lilac sachets or lavender sachets to repel moths.
If you want to secure your Pashmina for a longer period as you wear it occasionally, add a layer of zip-lock plastic bag after the tissue layer to avoid any wear and tear in the closet.
Consider a professional restoration after each decade of using Pashmina accessories to cherish it for another decade.
Make sure you aerate the wrap periodically like once a month or once two months to ensure the freshness of the Pashmina.
Don'ts while caring for Pashmina wrap
Do not dry the Pashmina in direct sunlight after washing. In addition, spread it on a towel and put it in the air to let it dry naturally.
Do not wring the wrap while washing.
Make sure to never expose your wrap to direct sunlight for a longer period to avoid the degradation of the fine fabric.
Make sure you never hang a Pashmina in the closet as it can cause the fabric to stretch and lose its shape. Instead, always fold and stack it neatly to keep the material intact and fresh.
Never use Naphthalene balls around the Pashmina accessory. It can cast a smell on it and will leave the fabric not at all fresh.
Also, never use newspaper to wrap the Pashmina product. The ink absorbs into the fabric. Thus, making it more prone to moths and dirt.
Never use green chillies or any other herbs to preserve the Pashmina. These can create more ravage to the product than any benefit.
We, at pashmina.com, craft the luxury of Pashmina with high supremacy. The concept of sustainable fashion brought forward with zeal and grace is the charm of Pashmina. The endless accessories crafted in Kashmir cater to all the people of the world. We define the legacy of Pashmina in numerous styles and designs imbibing versatile elegance in all intricacies. To preserve the luxury of your Pashmina, follow the steps of caring for the Pashmina mentioned above.
Pashmina Shawl is a luxurious accessory beating the time with its flying sounds of culture and traditions. It is well known that Pashmina as a craft is an extensive process that requires hard labor and skill. Artisans from around the valley of Kashmir have devoted their whole lives to cherishing the Craft of Pashmina. They have excelled in the crafting of the finest Cashmere procured from Ladakh. With excellence, hard work is inevitable. working hard requires a particular amount of time. Therefore, with high skill, artisans bestow a huge amount of time to create one masterpiece of Pashmina.
Pashmina is the crafting of the finest Cashmere procured manually from Ladakh to several styles that have definite designs to showcase the craft. With several styles and designs in Pashmina, the period of crafting differs. yet, the amount of time required from procuring to weaving is specifically the same. Also, a Pashmina Shawl can take about 180 hours to one full year or more to be crafted. It depends on the style and design of a particular Pashmina Shawl.
Procuring the finest Cashmere
Changra goats in Ladakh
From the Changhthanghi mountain, the journey begins. There is the dwelling of rare species of goat called Changra Goats. The Changra goats are medium-sized goats with two twisted horns. These are mainly herded by the tribe of Changpa. In the Changhthanghi region, the temperature goes to -40°C in winter. Thus, the Changra goats develop an undercoat of thick wool over their bodies. Thus, protecting themselves from the harsh climate. The wool is thick and soft. It is called Cashmere wool.
Moreover, these goats shed off their wool in summer to feel the fresh air. The wool is also manually combed out by the herders of the Changpa tribe. Thus, fine wool is called Cashmere wool. The tufts of Cashmere wool are packed to send to the valley of Kashmir. The Cashmere wool of Ladakh is the finest among all the production of Cashmere wool. There are several breeds of goats that produce cashmere wool. But, the finest among all is the Ladakhi Cashmere wool. This process of procuring takes several days to several months.
Crafting of fine Cashmere wool
The tufts of wool are packed to transfer to the valley of Kashmir. There begins the Pashmina Art of crafting the finest Cashmere wool for diverse accessories. After the Cashmere wool reaches the valley of Kashmir, it undergoes the process of cleaning. The Cashmere wool is thoroughly cleaned to get the dirt, dust, and grime out. After the meticulous cleaning, the Cashmere wool goes into the journey of Spinning. The process of transforming the Cashmere wool to fine Cashmere yarn is Spinning. The process is precisely done by the womenfolk of the valley on a wooden wheel called yinder. They move the wheel in a circular motion with one hand and with another hand they elongate the wool into yarn. Thus, creating fine Cashmere yarn from the Cashmere wool. This process takes days to weeks to get the fine yarns.
Weaving of Pashmina on handloom
Afterward, the Cashmere yarn is transferred to the local workshops/karkhanas for the process of weaving. Weaving is the process of precisely looming warps and wefts to create a thin and soft fabric of Cashmere. The weaving is done on the handloom made of forest wood. The handloom is worked upon by highly skilled artisans. The artisans work on the handloom by simultaneously using their feet and hands to create the woven Cashmere fabric. The weaving is mainly done by the menfolk of the valley. The most extensive process of Pashmina art is weaving. It takes a minimum of 120 hours or 5 days to fully weave a Pashmina Shawl for further design.
The faith of each masterpiece is assigned by the designer as per the requirement. Unique and luxurious designs are given to the Cashmere fabric. Thus, creating the best of the Pashmina Art collection. Some diverse styles and designs lift the luxury of every piece in the most meticulous way. The diverse styles are Cashmere Wraps, Cashmere Scarves, and Pashmina Shawls. In these styles, several designs belong to the definition of luxury.
The faith of each design explicitly defines the number of days, months, or years that a Pashmina is crafted in. For instance; A solid Pashmina Shawl takes the least amount of time in crafting due to basic design while on the other hand, a Kani Pashmina can take years to be completed due to the intricate weaving of the designs. Likewise, a Hand Embroidered Pashmina Shawl can take several months to years to get completed due to the intricate hand embroideries done by artisans. In addition, there are maybe several artisans working on one Pashmina Shawl or only one artisan on a particular Pashmina Shawl. The time range is defined by the hard labor and high skill of the artisans of the valley of Kashmir who work days and nights to bring forward the luxury of Pashmina.
On average, a simple and plain Pashmina Shawl takes up to 180 hours to be completed. The beauty of crafting lies in the definition of hand skill. It is to be noted that each process from the event of procurement to the washing of Pashmina Shawl is done manually. This enlivens the essence of nature by enhancing the luxury of each accessory.
The scattered tale of intricacy is defined by the luxurious look of the Pashmina Shawl
We, at pashmina.com confer to the crafting of Pashmina accessories of various styles and designs. Defining the tales of Pashmina as a craft signifies our collection as a luxury. Wearing one of the luxury reflects culture and sustainable fashion in a proper elegant way.
Men have been associated with Pashmina ever since it came into existence. From the procuring till adorning, men have assisted the charm of Pashmina with their grace of knowledge and skill. There are many styles in Pashmina Craft. Men's Pashmina is a new avalanche in the collection of Pashmina. Fashion revolves around the luxury of Pashmina as the accessories are the dime of the time. Moreover, the various styles in Men's Pashmina Shawls include Men's Solid Pashmina Shawl, Men's Reversible Pashmina Shawl, Men's Patterned Pashmina Shawl, Men's Embroidered Pashmina Shawl, and Men's Kani Pashmina Shawl.
Men's Patterned Pashmina Shawl is an accessory that reflects the epitome of luxury in its patterns. Crafted with diligence and precise weaving, Patterned Pashmina Shawls imbibe the culture of Kashmir through each weave. Therefore, the beauty of each woven pattern speaks of the exquisite craftsmanship of the valley of Kashmir. Men's Patterned Pashmina Shawl is a one-of-a-kind accessory that goes well with the outfits of men to cast fashion all over their presence. Men's Pashmina redefines the grace of Fashion of previous eras where Men used to adorn themselves with the luxury of shawls. Before speaking of the luxury it bestows on Men's fashion, a journey of the Pashmina Shawl needs to be mentioned.
The rare breed of Changhthanghi
Changra goat in Ladakh
There are several breeds of goats that produce cashmere wool. Malra breed, Chigu breed, Licheng breed, Tibetan breed, Liaoning breed, Changhthanghi breed, etc. are some of the breeds. Among all, the Changhthanghi breed gives the finest Cashmere. Cashmere, procured from the downy and woolly undercoat, especially from the underbelly of the Changra breed of goats from around the world, especially from Mongolia, China, Iraq, Iran, and Nepal is of premium quality. The purest wool from the feet of Changthangi mountain of the Ladakh region is the finest among all. Thus, the exclusive wool used to create the finest Cashmere accessories is Ladakhi Cashmere. Thus, these are the finest wool from the rarest breed of Changra belonging to the tribe of Changpa who are the traditional nomadic herders of Changra Goats.
Moreover, the wool grown on the Changra goats is to combat the harsh winter season. Moreover, to overcome the heat of summer, it naturally sheds off fleece during summers. Also, the fleece combed manually is pure in form. Thereby, cultivated from nature to cherish every part of the fine wool.
How is fine Cashmere procured for Men's Patterned Pashmina shawls?
Changthangi goat being gently combed
The finest Cashmere, obtained from the rarest breed of goats is premium. They are called Changra goats. Also called Kashmir Goats. The goats are medium in size and have two twisted horns. They graze mainly on grass. Herded by the Changpa tribe of Changhthanghi. As the Changthanghi region goes to minus 20°C in winter, the Goats develop thick wool to protect themselves from the harsh cold. Gradually, as the seasons change so does the temperature. These Changra goats naturally shed their wool against rocks and trees. The wool is known as fine Cashmere wool. Also, the Changpa tribe herders manually also comb out the Cashmere wool. Therefore, the production starts.
Crafting of Pashmina Shawls
The Cashmere wool reaches the Valley in small packets. It is thoroughly cleaned and dried. The Cashmere wool, thereupon worked upon by the women of the valley is fine. The premium Cashmere wool, translated to Cashmere yarn by the process of Spinning is fine. Spinning is the meticulous process of transforming fine Cashmere wool into premium Cashmere yarn. Done on a wooden wheel called a yinder. The women work diligently over the Cashmere wool to present the high skill of intricacy. Therefore, the mesmerizing beauty of yinder and the whole process befits the elegance of Pashmina Art with precision.
Artisan weaving Pashmina shawl on Hand Loom
Weaving is the next step in Pashmina Art. It is the process of crafting the Cashmere yarn into premium Cashmere fabric. The highly skilled artisans work on the handlooms set up in the local workshops/ karkhanas. The handlooms are mostly made of forest wood. The artisans mainly men artisans work meticulously on the fine Cashmere yarn. By creating magical warps and wefts using their hands and feet, the Cashmere fabric comes into existence. The supremely premium Cashmere fabric is turned into the further steps of designing. The designing of the Patterned Pashmina Shawl starts at the stage of weaving itself. The delicate weaving of the warps and wefts in a specific manner crafts different patterns on the masterpieces of Pashmina.
The shawl has been handcrafted in a modish pattern, that gives one the joy of having more than one hue in their outfits
The beauty of exalted creativity of the artisans particularly adorns the finest Cashmere. Pashmina Art is the crafting of the finest Ladakhi Cashmere from the Changra goats. The Art propels the divine skill to enhance the dimensions of the finest Cashmere in several styles. The designs with lines, designs, and all the contemporary patterns confer the horizon of Pashmina Art. The serene look of each masterpiece crafts the uniquely premium Cashmere in several styles.
The design in Pashmina Art is tremendously versatile. The various designs in the Art of Pashmina are miraculous in their creation. The artisans with the hand of heaven marvel at the art of precision. The diverse form of Men's Pashmina Art is Men's Cashmere Scarves and Men's Pashmina Shawls. The luxurious collection of Pashmina Art is marvelously crafted by the artisans. In addition, the further designing of the distinct forms of Pashmina Art is done by versatile artisans. In small workshops or households, the art of serenity gracefully done by the presence of artisans is explicit.
They are versatile accessories with several patterns. There are linear, checked, geometric, etc. patterns. Therefore, the artisans on the handloom bless the Cashmere fabric with different patterns in the weave. Thus, giving an exuberant appearance to each Men's Patterned Pashmina Shawl. Patterned Pashmina Shawls in Men's Collection are versatile in design. There are numerous colors in the design of Patterned Pashmina Shawls in Men's Pashmina. In addition, there are distinct ways of wearing the Men's Patterned Pashmina Shawl that adorn Men most luxuriously.
Cashmere is a premium wool procured from the Changra Goats. There are exquisite qualities of the Cashmere collected from Ladakh that make it an expensive and rare accessory. With its luxurious properties, the finest Cashmere also is very delicate and premium and to retain its quality for ages, there is a proper way of washing the premium Cashmere. A question is often asked about when to wash the Cashmere accessory to keep it durable for years. Before knowing how often Cashmere must be washed, let us review the procurement, crafting, and proper way of washing the finest wool. Worldwide, there are several other breeds of Cashmere giving Goats. Malra breed, Chigu breed, Licheng breed, Tibetan breed, Liaoning breed, Changhthanghi breed, etc. are some of the breeds. Among all, the Changhthanghi breed gives the finest Cashmere. Therefore, the finest wool is given by the Changra Goats.
Cashmere wool is a rare type of wool procured by hand to preserve the luxury of each hair of the wool.
How is the finest Cashmere procured?
Changra goats in Changhthangi region of Ladakh
From the Changhthanghi mountain, the beginning of the journey starts. There is the dwelling of rare species of goat called Changra Goats. The Changra goats are medium-sized goats with two twisted horns. These are mainly herded by the tribe of Changpa. In the Changhthanghi region, the temperature goes to -40°C in winter. Thus, the Changra goats develop an undercoat of thick wool over their bodies. Thus, protecting themselves from the harsh climate. The wool is thick and soft. It is called Cashmere wool. The Cashmere wool of Ladakh is the finest among all the production of the finest wool. There are several breeds of goats that produce fine wool. But, the finest among all is the Ladakhi wool.
In addition, the goats produce fine Cashmere wool once every year. Therefore, only around 80 to 170 gms 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. Consequently, the production caters to the manufacture of different styles like Pashmina Shawls, Cashmere Scarves, and Cashmere Wraps.
Pashmina Craft in Kashmir
Raw cashmere wool
Pashmina Art is the crafting of the finest Cashmere wool in the sphere of heritage and artisans in Kashmir. Crafting leads to explicit accessories that speak of luxurious fashion in diverse ways. After the tufts of wool reach the Valley of Kashmir, the wool is cleaned and soaked. This signifies the outset of Pashmina Art. Further, the cleaned and soaked wool is dried in nature to preserve the essentiality in its natural form. The cleaned and dried fine wool is distributed to the local households of the Valley. There begins the next step of Pashmina Art, Spinning. Spinning is the translation of fine wool to the finest Cashmere yarn on a wooden wheel called yinder. Spinning is mainly done by the womenfolk of the Kashmir Valley.
Moreover, the unique definition of Spinning is acquainted with the essence of precision and diligence. In addition, the Cashmere yarn thus produced confers to the purest and finest yarn of 12 to 16 microns. Thus, the finest yarn moves further in the procedure radiating the Art of Pashmina.
The weaving of the finest wool
Artisan weaving Pashmina on handloom
After the process of Spinning, the process of transforming Cashmere yarn into fine Cashmere fabric begins. It is done by the process of Weaving. It is the translation of fine yarn to Cashmere fabric. Therefore, the weavers of the Kashmir Valley profoundly weave the fine yarn into the fine fabric on the handloom made of forest wood. The process of weaving is to use Cashmere yarn to create warps and wefts. Thus, producing a whole fine fabric.
Therefore, the Cashmere produced is given the required dimensions. Thus, diverse styles like Pashmina Shawls are crafted. After Weaving, the fine Cashmere fabric is given the required dimensions to make it an exquisite accessory for the Pashmina Shawl. There is the process of Dyeing by the dyer 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 design including patterns, embroideries, embellishments, prints, etc.
Designing of finest Cashmere
The marvelous hands of artisans whirl in the designs and sing songs of art on the finest wool
Designing the finest Cashmere begins after the whole fabric is crafted on the handlooms. Several paths lead to the process of intricate design. The endless designing starts in the cradle of Kashmir where artisans have been working for ages. The process of designing commences as soon as the faith of the finest Cashmere is adorned. The marvelous hands of artisans whirl in the designs and sing songs of art on the finest wool. The surrounding aura of the valley signifies the profound design in diverse ways. There are three main styles in Pashmina Art; Cashmere Wraps, Scarves, and Pashmina Shawls. It is to be noted that Pashmina Art is the crafting of the finest Ladakhi Cashmere to a diverse range of accessories in distinct designs. In addition, the beauty of each design is reflected exquisitely and traditionally in the handcrafting techniques prescribed by the generations of artisans.
How did Cashmere come into existence?
When a Persian saint was traveling across the globe, the beginning of Pashmina is there. 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 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, the name Pashmina, derived from the Persian word, pashm, meaning "the soft gold" is exquisite in being. In addition, the exquisite luxury of the Pashmina Shawl is beautified with the high skill of artisans who have worked day and night to unravel the marvels of Pashmina as a Crafting of the finest Cashmere.
How to properly wash fine Cashmere accessories?
The beauty of the Cashmere scarf is in its relishing luxury for years. By making sure the essence of your Cashmere scarf remains with you for a lifetime, there are simple ways to care for and wash cashmere for your grace of luxury.
Hand washing cashmere scarf
For washing your Cashmere scarf at home, all you have to do is simply take the Cashmere Scarf and soak it in lukewarm water for half an hour. The water is pre-prepared by adding some solution of Cashmere Shampoo of good quality. Therefore, this will ensure all the dirt has vanished from your luxurious Cashmere Scarf. Afterward, take the Scarf out of the dirty water and rinse it in clean water several times. Gently rinse it in a way that all the dirty water comes out of it. Then, simply squeeze it in your hands and press it gently to get all the water out. Make sure you don't wring it. Pressing it gently will keep it in form for years.
Afterward, take the Cashmere scarf on the dry towel and spread it all across. Gently roll the Cashmere Scarf along with the towel to ensure all the moisture is soaked by the towel. Then, take the Scarf and let it lay in your house for natural drying. Make sure the surface on which it is laid is clean.
Cashmere is an exquisitely high-quality wool that has been in the world for ages. Beautifully crafted in the valley of Kashmir after being ethically procured from the region of Ladakh, the essence of each accessory defines the luxury of Kashmir.
Cashmere is a delicate and soft wool with fineness more than a human hair. When you have a Cashmere belonging, you have to secure and preserve its elegance and luxury by taking proper care of the accessory now and then. Therefore, washing your Cashmere is a question that needs to be answered. Simply, remember the Two Hands rule. The rules describe the washing pattern as after wearing 10 times like the 10 fingers, the Cashmere accessory is good to go for washing. So, to preserve the luxury of Pashmina accessories, one needs to be cautious about the fine nature of Cashmere as wool. Also, washing based on this rule will make the Pashmina accessory durable and it will last for years. Pashmina is a lifetime luxury that keeps you warm for the rest of your life.
Properly washing the Pashmina accessory will not only clean the debris out but also will revive its freshness and elegance. Therefore, washing your Pashmina accessory is a must but doing it too often will scrap out the softness of the Pashmina. The softness of the Pashmina accessories is looked upon by using proper products, duration, and methods of washing itself.
Munazah Black Pashmina Shawl is an exquisitely defined piece crafted in the cradle of Kashmir to revive the Zari hand embroidery in the most premium way
We, at pashmina.com, define each of our masterpieces by the definition of Kashmir's rich culture and heritage. The crafting of every accessory is a pre-defined procedure that has been in Kashmir for ages. From cleaning the finest Cashmere to designing fine Cashmere fabric, the elegance is real. The beauty of the finest wool is well-defined in the realms of our platform. There are endless accessories that can make your wardrobe classy and contemporary at the same time as the crafting is well defined by the highly skilled artisans of Kashmir.
The highly skilled artisans have worked for ages to acquire the richness of the Pashmina Craft. Therefore, with their skill and fervour for Pashmina, we have enriched our collection with supremely luxurious Pashmina.
Pashmina is the traditional crafting of the finest cashmere procured from Ladakh. Pashmina has been in the world for ages now. Since time, the craft has witnessed several phases including the zest of fashion and the downfall of art. The beauty of Pashmina has remained unchanged for centuries. The craft has witnessed the traditions in its roots as well as been into the modern era with its new dimensions and designs. Moreover, modern fashion and Pashmina are co-related through the threads of numerous designs crafted in the valley of Kashmir. Defining the avalanches of modern fashion, Pashmina has always stood up by reflecting endless designs in the fashion world.
Pashmina.com has been very keen on creating the finest cashmere to numerous contemporary designs in the form of Cashmere Wraps, Cashmere Scarves, and Pashmina Shawls. We blissfully support the artisans of Kashmir to create masterpieces that explore modern designs and yet true to their traditional roots. The creation suffuses up to the mark of authenticity. Also, the beauty surrounded by our endless collection of Pashmina is exalted.
The Manual Procuring of Fine Cashmere
Changra goats in Ladakh
The Changthangi mountain in the Ladakh region is at a high altitude. The winters are the coldest there. The temperature goes to minus 50°C. A rare breed of goats dwells in the feet of mountains. The Goats are called Changra Goats. They are also called Kashmir Goats. The goats develop thick wool on their bodies in winter to overcome the cold season. Mainly raised for the production of fine wool. As, in summer, the goats shed wool to feel the air of summer. The wool is manually combed out by the herders of the Changpa tribe who raise the Goats of Changhthanghi. The soft wool is called Cashmere wool.
The cashmere wool of Ladakh is the finest. Although, there are several breeds of Cashmere producing goats. Yet, the finest is the Ladakhi Cashmere. The Ladakhi Cashmere is soft, fine wool. It is 10 to 16 microns in diameter. It is the finest wool with premium purity of nature. Crafted further to make luxuriously fine accessories by the Art of Pashmina. The Art of Pashmina prevails for ages in the Valley of Kashmir.
Craft of Pashmina
Art of Pashmina begins as soon as the packets of Cashmere wool reach the valley of Kashmir. The tufts of Cashmere wool are cleaned, soaked, and dried to further get the premium Cashmere wool. urther moved ahead to the process of Spinning. Spinning is the meticulous process of transforming Cashmere wool into the finest cashmere yarn. Mostly, womenfolk of the Kashmir Valley perform the meticulous process of Spinning. After the Spinning process, the fine Cashmere yarn is moved to the next process called Weaving.
Artisan weaving Pashmina on handloom
The process of Weaving is intricately turning the Cashmere yarn into the finest Cashmere fabric. The warps and wefts are sophistically woven with each other to present the meticulous Cashmere Fabric to the further process of designing. Mostly done by the menfolk of the valley on the handlooms made of forest wood. The artisans weave by using their feet in coordination with their hands. The meticulous harmony of aura and artisan creates the fine Cashmere Fabric.
Further, the Cashmere fabric goes on to the designing process. The design starts as soon as the Cashmere fabric reaches the hands of artisans. Thus, creating a wide array of masterpieces. Henceforth, the Art of Pashmina is the creation of diverse accessories from the finest Cashmere. The versatile designs confer to the world of luxury in several ways. The distinct styles cater to all genders. The styles and designs perform the ways of luxurious fashion in the most elegant looks.
Styles and designs in Pashmina
The red and black basket weave profuse in your fashion style and amazes the onlookers with luxurious glory
The handcrafted Pashmina comprises accessories that ravishingly explicit the beauty within the creation of a particular wrap. In the world of modernization, contemporary designs in the art of Pashmina are a must. Moreover, Pashmina in the form of wraps, scarves, and shawls has reached heights unending as the handcrafted wraps bestowed glamour in various directions of fashion and luxury. Thus, there are several designs and patterns in the craft of Pashmina viz., Solid Cashmere, Ombre Cashmere, Laced Cashmere, Swarovski Cashmere, Shibori Cashmere, Embroidered Cashmere, and Kani Pashmina.
The authenticity of the rarest and finest Cashmere, seen in the shadow of the Cashmere is exquisite. So, elegance with the creation of sustainable fashion is subsumed in the creation of radiant and ravishing accessories that go well with every attire of any kind. Thus, the Cashmere Accessories are among the Pure high-quality luxurious masterpieces that can be a revere to the presence of whosoever is wearing them. Therefore, the opulent Cashmere along with the creativity and hard work of artisans are the exquisite and extraordinary styles of Pashmina in the field of serene craft.
Modern fashion is an etiquette of classy and contemporary styles. Modernism in fashion has established a glance with Pashmina. The new ways of defining the craft of Pashmina prefer the quality of fine Cashmere. The vogue of modernism reflects the Craft of Pashmina in several styles and designs. Also, modern fashion has cherished Pashmina in graceful ways like using a Pashmina over the head with a dress. Modernism jubilantly accepted through the craft of Pashmina to touch the horizons of fashion.
Cherish the collection of Pashmina
We, at pashmina.com, beautify the process of crafting in Pashmina. Crafted with utmost precision and class, the designs are evidence of the luxury of Pashmina. Crafting in the horizons of culture and traditions, Pashmina cherishes the valley of Kashmir. With different stages of crafting, a fine cashmere fabric ansformed into elegant Pashmina accessories is our forte. Moreover, having one of the luxurious accessories from the rich collection is a forte of fashionistas.
A Cashmere scarf is one of the perfect blends of luxury, sustainability, and warmth, which are perhaps the most sought-after actors one looks for while buying scarves. Cashmere scarves. And while the weather is changing, and the colder days are fast approaching, everyone turns their attention towards stockpiling thicker layers and wraps. Be it festive days or casual ones, Cashmere will be your perfect companion for each freezing night and chilly day to come. In addition to keeping you comfortably warm, these scarves are super stylish, elegant and versatile, and present you to the world as a fashion diva.
Exceptionally covetable as well as a product of exorbitant prices, one might feel if Cashmere really deserves such attention and an inclination of the entire world towards itself. Does one wonder why to pay thousands of dollars for a small-size scarf when on the contrary wool scarves are less than half the price? However, when one comes to know about the special qualities of Cashmere fabric, then the price hardly matters. Let's find out more about Cashmere, its pricing, and the love people have for it, and dig a bit deep into history.
Why are Cashmere scarves the most sought-after?
Cashmere goats in the Himalayan region
While woollen scarves are made from sheep wool which is easily available in bulk at a low price, Cashmere scarves have a different story. These luxury scarves come from fine goat hair, and the animal is found in the Himalayan ranges of Asia. Cashmere grows as a down fibre to these goats in the winter season and is naturally lost by them in summer. It is collected, cleaned, processed and embellished to bring into existence the most luxurious and warm scarves.
Not just one, but there are a number of reasons why Cashmere scarves are worth the dollars we pay for them. Here are more reasons why Cashmere scarves are loved and why they are expensive.
Cashmere is a natural fabric
The buzzword, and rightly so, right now in the world is sustainability and saving the planet. Aren't we worried about the planet we live on? More amounts of pollution that industries are creating in the name of modernisation are actually causing more harm than good. Processing a large amount of fabric is contributing even more to the destruction, hence making it difficult to survive in a cleaner environment.
Fortunately, Cashmere is not one of those fabrics. Cashmere is a natural fabric firstly. Hence it is not to be artificially made using machines. And second, scarves made from Cashmere too are pure, and no thread of artificial fibre is used in their making. Even the process of dyeing is natural when it comes to the making of Cashmere scarves (azo-free dyes are used).
Warm, but not suffocating
One of the worst qualities of warm scarves found in marketplaces is that these tend to be suffocating. As warmth is trapped inside, it results in sweat and one keeps hemming and hawing whether to keep wearing the same or to remove it. Excessive sweating causes even more problems than the cold outdoors would.
On the contrary, Cashmere is a natural, breathable fabric, which comes with insulation that provides decent penetration of fresh air. This helps the wearer of a Cashmere scarf to stay comfortably warm. One can keep wearing Cashmere scarves indoors and outdoors, without having to worry about them becoming uncomfortably warm. And even if they do (if indoors are warm), one can easily fold these and place them in handbags.
No Allergies, No Redness
Even babies love Cashmere
Only those who are allergic to rough and coarse fabrics of almost all winter fabrics know the pain of buying another scarf and feeling the same. But this is not the case with Cashmere. If you have sensitive skin and are prone to allergies all year round, Cashmere scarves are your ultimate salvation. Cashmere fabric is soft and fine and does not cause any allergic reactions or redness. Hence, if you have sensitive skin, Cashmere is a fabric that has a specific structure that does not allow any allergens to dwell inside. This causes it to be hypoallergenic and emancipation for those with sensitive skin
Note of Caution: Even Though Cashmere doesn't cause allergy or redness, there are a few who are allergic to natural fibres only. For these, Cashmere too will be a source of allergy, since it is 100% natural.
Soft, Stylish and a Luxury Cashmere Scarf
Befitting the beauty of Blue Cashmere Scarf, the realm of Kashmir calls upon the artisans to craft the beauty of admiration in the form of paisleys
Other than the fact that Cashmere scarves are super lightweight and warm, these luxury wraps are immensely soft and smooth. In fact, it softens as it ages. For this reason, they have always been in vogue and even managed to earn the title of “timeless”. The scarves are statement pieces and will definitely grab your as well as the attention of others.
Cashmere scarves are soft, owing to their exceptionally fine fibre. The finesse of the fibre makes these scarves smooth and luscious. In fact, one can even pass a Cashmere scarf through a finger ring.
High prices of Cashmere scarves, owing to their wonderful qualities, make them a luxury to have. From a few hundred to thousands of dollars (for large, hand-embroidered shawls), Cashmere scarves are of many types, each of which can be worn on different occasions. So if you need one for casual events, one for formal, and another for weddings, Cashmere scarves will be a rescuer each day and that too perfectly.
Cashmere: Handmade from the beginning
Artisan weaving Cashmere scarf on handloom
It is the luxurious Cashmere scarves that only allow for manual processing. Right from the time it is acquired from the goat to the time when a scarf is ready, no intervention of machines is seen. Be it spinning the wool to produce fibre, or weaving the fibre to produce fabric, every process is manual, done by specialised craftsmen and women. Patterning the scarves is manual too. Be it embroidery, printing, dyeing, all embellishments are manual too.
How much is a cashmere scarf worth?
Raw cashmere fibre
For the reasons mentioned above, and more, Cashmere scarves are one of the most sought-after accessories in the world. And one of the main reasons is that a cashmere goat only yields around 200 grams of cashmere per year. On the contrary, sheep produce even 3 kg of wool per year. Moreover, even after obtaining the wool from the goat, just a portion of it is usable. Rest gets lost during cleaning or processing.
All these properties make Cashmere scarves expensive. A scarf can be $100 - $500 or more dispensing upon its purity and design. If the design is more complicated, it might cost a few hundred dollars more.
Care for your Cashmere
With such a price tag for a delicate accessory, one wonders if Cashmere scarves can ever be washed or not. Well, yes, the worry is justified as one would never like to see such an expensive and luxurious accessory getting damaged. Many women believe Cashmere is hard to take care of. Others fear that buying Cashmere might cost regular trips to the laundry. This would make them spend extra every month or two. But interestingly, caring for Cashmere is easy. One can wash Cashmere scarves at home with a gentle wash and water. Then air dries it and stores it in a clean and dry place.
One does need to be careful in many ways, but there is nothing disturbing or irritating about caring for Cashmere scarves. Wash it just once at home, and you are set for the next season.
Cashmere scarves are worth the attention and the price you pay for them. These will caress you admirably for a lifetime. We have been obsessed with these since we discovered them a long time back. Now it's your turn to fall in love with Cashmere - the soft gold - handcrafted into luxurious scarves. This will be your lifetime companion.
Take care and caution to always buy 100% pure Cashmere scarves. It is just Pure Cashmere which will let you reap these benefits. Mixed Cashmere scarves which have silk or nylon mixed with Cashmere threads are fake. Other categories of fake Cashmere scarves are those which are made from sheep wool but sold as Cashmere. Beware of these copies of the pure and make sure your newly shopped piece is a 100% pure Cashmere
Make sure you buy from authentic vendors who are known to a lot of customers.
Always ask the seller for an authenticity certificate. Certified Cashmere is the thing to buy.
Make sure you check your existing Cashmere scarves if they are pure or not.
The feeling of wrapping oneself in a luxury Cashmere wrap is one of the most premium experiences in one’s life. After all, these wraps are exceptional when it comes to the softness of their base, the warmth they lend, and the way they caress our skin with a cosy embrace. With these luxury qualities, comes a price that might be too much for some. But if compared to the quality, finesse and pleasantness it gives in winter and fall, the prices seem pretty well deserved. Women and men alike are in love with the wraps and scarves made of Cashmere but have an apprehension about how long these ideal partners will stay with them in the long run.
With the high prices yet immensely luxurious experience of Cashmere, one tends to take immense care of these treasures. The care has to be as per the delicateness of the gentle Cashmere fibre. As patrons of this opulent fabric, we too have taken several stringent recommendations from fabric experts all over the world, and hence came up with a guideline of how to care about Cashmere. Here are several tips on how to keep that plush and cushy Cashmere as sumptuous as it was the day you unwrapped it. This will guide you to washing and shaping your scarves, as well as protecting them from moths.
How to Wash Cashmere?
Hand washing Cashmere wrap
Washing Cashmere is perhaps the most challenging step when it comes to taking care of the same. The main thing to take care of is the delicateness of the base fibre, which is gentle enough to be torn with bare hands. Hence washing has to be done with extra precautions and care.
Hand washing your Cashmere at home is the best way to clean Cashmere. It is the mildest way of cleaning these exquisite wraps. Follow these steps when you plan to wash your Cashmere at home.
Fill a clean tub with lukewarm water. Hot water will ruin your luxury piece.
Add a mild detergent to the water. (Thankfully markets are brimming with Cashmere shampoos that do the job perfectly).
Now dip your Cashmere scarf in the water, and let it stay there for 30 minutes.
Post this time, gently take your scarf out and squeeze it between your hands. (Do not wring your Cashmere lest it loses shape as well as life).
It’s time to rinse the scarf. Fill the same tub with clean water, and soak the scarf again. Do this till the water runs clear and the scarf is free from any soapy residue.
Your Cashmere scarf is now clean, and it’s time to dry it.
How to Dry the Delicate Fabric?
Drying the Cashmere wrap
Cashmere is the most delicate when it is wet. Hence, one has to be vigilant and watchful of all processes that drying Cashmere needs. Follow the steps to dry your Cashmere at home after you have washed it perfectly.
Lay a clean, dry towel on the floor. It is better if the area is airy.
Lay your Cashmere scarf flat on this towel.
Place another clean and dry towel on top of the Cashmere scarf, such that it lies perfectly between the two towels.
Roll all three layers together such that the two towels squeeze all the remaining water from the Cashmere scarf.
Unroll the layers and pick the Cashmere scarf, to be placed on another clean and dry surface.
Let the scarf lie there for a few days till it is completely dry
Do not hang a Cashmere scarf for drying, or it will lose its shape permanently. Also, do not dry your Scarf in direct sunlight, which is believed to have ill effects like discolouration of the dainty fibre. Do not tumble dry your scarf lest it may shrink or become deformed permanently.
Now the scarf is completely dry. Post drying it might need ironing. Check the next section to knowing the rules of ironing these opulent scarves.
How to Iron the Dainty fabric?
Even though Cashmere creases and wrinkles less when compared to other fabrics, a scarf might be a bit unattractive if it isn't crisply ironed. However, these can be removed in no time, if one is super careful and observant. Here is how to iron your Cashmere in the most gentle way.
Select your iron on the lowest setting.
Start ironing the scarf without any direct contact with the same. Instead, place a cotton cloth in between the scarf and the hot iron.
If you are using a steam iron, hold the scarf away from the direct steam, lest it gets destroyed. From a distance, the steam will straighten the hairs of the Cashmere fabric, and it will look like new.
How to Store Cashmere?
A rather funny saying is “Moths love your Cashmere scarf as much as you do”. But isn't it a warning? How important is it to save your scarves are moths? Let us know more about how to store your Cashmere properly.
Firstly, ensure the scarf is completely dry. A semi-dry scarf will attract moisture and moisture will attract moths.
Fold your scarf properly and place it in a cotton or tissue bag. This keeps moisture away. Avoid plastic bags at all costs.
Cashmere scarves should be stored on dry and clean shelves, in a folded position and not hung for the retainment of their original shape.
Do not stack many scarves over one another directly. Instead, place a cotton cloth in between two scarves, and even between the folds of one scarf to prevent pilling. Proper storage is the key to preventing pilling, which happens even to the most premium Cashmere types.
Why do you put cashmere in the freezer?
At times, we have been recommended to ask customers to place their scarves in zip-lock bags, and then directly in freezers. This was quite confusing before we knew the fact behind it.
Cashmere scarves are natural fibres, and hence attract moths towards themselves. Moths are the worst thing that can happen to your luxury scarf. Moths destroy the scarf completely. Now, if, due to some lack of proper care or instruction, your scarf has fallen prey to moth attraction, it's time to put your freezer to use. Simply fold your scarf and place it in a zip-lock bag. Put the bag in a freezer for a day or overnight. Post this week, check the scarf again, and there will be no moths or larvae left.
The proper care will prevent the ageing of your Cashmere scarf
Be it the most premium quality, this luxury fabric will pill or wither if not taken proper care of. Only careful washing, drying, ironing and storage will prevent the ageing of your Cashmere scarves, which are otherwise timeless.
Always keep a de-pilling comb or an electric depiller handy, just in case your Cashmere grows ugly-looking bobbles. Lie the scarf down and brush it with the same to remove any bobbles on the surface. This will keep your scarf as new as it was in the luxury store you got it from.
With the colder days approaching us like a flash, we all know how important layering is. Shopping for sweaters, jackets, hence thicker versions of all clothing essentials might have started already. While some may love the concept of layering one thick layer over the other, a few like ourselves would like to feel a bit freer. There are women who feel burdened with the weight of so many layers. This is common for those who have to go out to work every day. For these women, there is a more elegant and graceful alternative that might relieve some burden off their shoulders which is Cashmere.
Cashmere is a fine animal hair that grows as a down fibre to Cashmere goats. It is acquired from the goats and processed to come up with luxury wraps - shawls, stoles, or scarves. These accessories are super fine, lightweight, and warm, and definitely something to choose in winter and fall. It was the Cashmere wrap that was donned by Empress Josephine in the 18th century. This revolutionized the world of fashion and drove everyone towards Cashmere wraps. Since then, these luxury wraps had no turning back, and have been a royal favourite through centuries.
What is Cashmere?
Cashmere goat
Cashmere comes from the underbelly of a peculiar goat species. The goats are found on the high plateaus of the Himalayan range. The Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir houses these goats and this species gives the finest Cashmere, owing to their surroundings. This cold and Arid zone is also known as the land of high passes. It extends from the Siachen Glacier in the Karakoram range to the main Great Himalayas to the south. The area is inhabited by people of Indo-Aryan and Tibetan descent. They are a nomadic, tribal population, whose primary activity is rearing animals. One among those animals is the Cashmere-producing goats.
Cashmere goats found in Ladakh grow the finest of all varieties of this fine wool. These goats (locally called Changthangi goats) which are the pride of this cold and arid region, produce exceptionally fine and lightweight fibre whose diameter is just 12 to 16 microns. Hence, after processing this variety, a luxury assortment of super fine and beautiful shawls/wraps and scarves are produced.
Cashmere is immensely fine. Precisely speaking, it is ¼ the size of human hair and holds a Guinness Book of World Record of being the “Costliest fiber in the world”. This comes after the ban imposed on the Shahtoosh – the finer-than-Cashmere fiber produced by the Tibetan Antelope.
A single goat produces about 150 grams of fine wool per year. To make a shawl of measurement 200×100 cm on average 3-4 goats are needed, adding to the reason for the wool’s exorbitant cost.
Processing Cashmere
Raw cashmere fibre
Raw Cashmere is available in lumps after the herders of Changthangi goats acquire the same. The animal loses much of it naturally, and the rest of it is gently combed off in the summer season by its herders or professionals if required. This is packed in small pouches and set to Kashmir, where expert experienced artisans await its arrival.
To start with, these wool lumps are first cleaned. Post cleaning, these are sent for spinning, which is manually done over a wooden spinning wheel. After the fibre is spun, it is transformed into fine long threads which are later hand woven to produce fabric. This is the fabric, which is long awaited by sellers as well as consumers.
It takes from a few weeks to a few years when it comes to produce Cashmere shawls and wraps. If the wrap is smaller in size and plain, it will be handwoven in just a few days. But if the shawl size is larger (like men’s shawls), then weaving might take weeks. Moreover, if the wraps are patterned these will take months. But if the wraps are to be hand embroidered or Kani woven, then the average wait for those extravagant items would be four to five years.
What is Pashmina?
If one visits Kashmir in search of Cashmere shawls, he/she will find people calling them by a different names. These shawls are called Pashmina shawls in Kashmir. This caused mass confusion among many, and people wondered if Cashmere and Pashmina are the same. Or if these two terms depend on each other. What is the reality, we found out.
A Muslim shawl-making family shown in Cashmere shawl manufactory, 1867, chromolith., William Simpson.
When Europeans traveled to Kashmir, at the beginning of the 18th century, they discovered this luxury wool, which was called Pashm locally. They purchased a few hundred of these but rather than calling these by their local name, they called the shawls Cashmere (which they would pronounce Kashmir). With time, Cashmere became better known in Europe and even locally because Europeans were more in number and more influential than the locals. Hence their word spread far and the wool came to be known as Cashmere. Hence Cashmere wraps were wraps made from Cashmere wool.
Pashmina on the other hand was the art of converting this raw wool into luxury wraps. So, locals knew the shawls as Pashmina shawls made from Cashmere wool, and Europeans and the west, in general, called these Cashmere wraps.
The definitions of both these terms will further ease their explanation:
Pashmina is the art of handcrafting luxury shawls from the finest fibre in the world. The fibre used to make Pashmina shawls is found on the underbelly of a Ladakhi goat. It is locally known as "Pashm" which is the Persian term for "soft gold". The western world calls it Cashmere
Cashmere, hence, is the soft, fine, and warm yarn out of which Pashmina shawls are made. It grows on the underbelly of the Ladakhi goat - called the Changthangi goat - which is found on a dry and arid plateau in Ladakh. The goat grows raw wool in winter which is combed off its body in spring to process it and handcraft luxury Pashmina shawls.
Is Pashmina warmer than Cashmere?
Cashmere yarn is a natural fibre and is exceptionally warm and soft. This makes Pashmina shawls the warmest of all wrap accessories ever. It is believed that if you wear a Pashmina shawl, you do not need to put on layers of sweaters and jackets in the fall and early winter days.
Fake products in the market
Fake vs Real Cashmere
The market nowadays is full of cheap copies and fake Pashmina shawls and products. The Cashmere wool available in shops is often mixed with sheep wool and sold as luxury Cashmere wraps. This makes the Cashmere of today doubtful. Pashmina has been an exquisite art where 100% pure Cashmere is transformed into luxury shawls and scarves. But since the market is flooded with fake products, it becomes essential to look for authentic Cashmere and pure Pashmina shawls.
Why choose Cashmere?
Even though Cashmere wool is so warm and luxurious, it doesn't compromise on being an ethical product. Cashmere is ethically combed off the body of the Ladakhi goat, and no living beings are harmed in the entire process. The goat grows the fleece back at the start of winter and hence does not face any problems due to the absence of wool over its body.
Hence we have a large number of reasons to choose Cashmere over its counterparts. Firstly, the wool is acquired without the use of any machines and in ethical ways without harming the Cashmere-producing goat. Secondly, wool is eco-friendly and developed without any harm to the environment. And lastly, the quality is so pure that it lasts for decades together. Yet its grace never loses itself, however old a shawl or scarf might be.
The diversity in the hand-embroideries in Pashmina Art reflects the genuineness of the crafting
Call it Cashmere or Pashmina, we are totally obsessed with fine wool and its resulting products. The way they are so easy to carry owing to their lightweight and softness, the way they never cause any irritation to the skin, hence being the best companion in the fall and winter seasons, and the way they wrap one in an unforgettable warmth, is just perfect.
The high-quality, extravagant shawls and scarves you see in premium showrooms might be handmade Cashmere wraps. Cashmere is an exquisite animal hair that is processed for months and years to come up with ethereal accessories like shawls, wraps, and scarves. It is made by breeding, maintaining, and harvesting Cashmere goats that are found around the Himalayan mountain range. The accessories made out of this wool are considered one of the warmest in the world, and perfect for gelid winter seasons. And even though they are warm, they have a feather-light weight due to their minute fibre diameter.
Cashmere has always been in the limelight owing to certain misconceptions about it. It is said that its harvesting is cruel to animals as well as the planet. But to what extent it is true, we came to know when we personally traveled to the mountain ranges of Ladakh - a place North of India - where the best quality is found. There, indeed, is a lot to unpack, as we explore the ethical nuances of this large industry. Here is what we came to know about “soft gold” and its rich price tag.
How well do you know it?
Cashmere Fibre
Cashmere is a luxury fibre that’s soft, lightweight, and warm beyond belief. Moreover, it is 3 times more insulating than wool, eight times warmer than the same, and thinner than a human strand of hair (about 1/8th of it). This means you can keep exceptionally warm without layering yourself in those burdensome sweaters and jackets. Cashmere fibre is mostly used in the making of winter shawls, scarves, mufflers, wraps, and sweaters. On average, Cashmere shawls and wraps cost anywhere between $100 to $10000.
Where does Cashmere come from?
Cashmere goats in Ladakh
Cashmere is found growing on the underbelly of an exotic species of goats. The goats are found in the Himalayas. In areas surrounding the Himalayas, the temperature can get down to minus 40 degrees Celsius and make it impossible for the animals to survive. Thankfully, nature has blessed the goats with a very thick coat and an inner fine coat of Cashmere that has fine fibres to cope with the extremely cold conditions their surroundings have to offer.
It is obvious that the producers of Cashmere would be the countries around the Himalayan range. And it indeed is. China and Mongolia are the world’s largest producers of this luxury fabric. But it is India that has to offer the world’s finest quality Cashmere. Ladakh, North India, is the region close to the Himalayas where exotic goats are bred. They are locally known as Changthangi goats and produce the finest quality wool.
Why is Cashmere so expensive?
Cashmere goat being gently combed by professionals
The luxe Cashmere is harvested just once a year. This is around the Spring season when the summer sun is just touching the long winter-hit Himalayan ranges. This is when the goat starts to naturally shed its wool. The wool is hence found lying in surrounding areas. The grounds, coarse stones, bushes, and other rough grainy areas are found loaded with small portions of Cashmere wool. Herders hence realize it's time and call for professional help. At times, experienced herders themselves comb out the rest of the wool from the bodies of their goats when they are moulting. This is the primary reason why Cashmere is expensive. The supply is way less than the ever-increasing demand.
The second reason for the premium prices of Cashmere is the meagre annual yield. A goat can give a maximum wool of 150-180 grams (just around 7 ounces). On the contrary, sheep produce 3 kg of wool a year. Hence the inadequate yield is not even sufficient for making one large wrap (200*100 cm). Hence, for one Cashmere wrap, wool from 3 to 4 goats will be sufficient. For a large sweater, wool from 5 to 6 goats will be adequate.
It is these qualities that make Cashmere the premium category of wool types that it is famous for. In addition to these, Cashmere is super lightweight, versatile, and immensely warm. This adds to it being considered a luxury.
Even though Cashmere is treasured and adored all over the world, controversies surround it all the time. The surprising amounts of controversial statements against Cashmere make one think if he is doing the right thing by buying or wearing it. The controversy is about the ethical practices while harvesting Cashmere. Many believe that goats are ill-treated and cruelly dealt with when it comes to the procurement. Others say that the wool isn't gently combed out but ripped off their bodies, thereby causing pain and suffering to the poor animal. But this is confusing on so many levels.
First, the Cashmere producing goat is one of the main sources of income for the nomadic herders. So why would they cause pain to the animal that gives them their livelihood? Some believe that Cashmere goats are shorn, that too before summer, which even causes death. But why would anyone kill their own source of livelihood?
Hence we dug deep into the facts and got some critical information.
Is Cashmere Cruel?
The controversy surrounding Cashmere boils down to cruelty. But what we came to know is that Cashmere is NOT cruel. Wool is collected by herders in summer (early spring to be precise) when the goat itself sheds most of it. This is the reason why it is always available in meagre amounts. The goats are well-fed, and this is the reason the nomadic herders do not have one particular place where they can always be found. They are nomadic because they wander in search of food and water for their herds.
Climate changes are used as an advantage for moving in between new pastures that are better suited to Cashmere goats. Cashmere goats are one of those animal herds which get proper nutrition. Cashmere goats are mostly not reared for their meat, but only for the fine wool they grow. Hence, they are taken proper care of, when it comes to food, shelter, nutrition, and general management of their overall health.
The hand embroidery with the intricacy in each paisley is up to the mark of enchantment
Cashmere is not unethically produced. At least in most cases. Buying Cashmere is not irresponsible shopping. There are many brands that have found ways to carry sustainable production of this fine wool. This means no animal cruelty, no use of machines for processing, and other factors that count toward sustainability contributing to a smaller environmental footprint. These brands arrange independent auditors to regularly check if all the standards of sustainable harvesting are met.
Fortunately, Pashmina.com is one such organization that has a check on the practices used to procure Cashmere from Ladakh. The team makes sure that the procurement is completely ethical, as well as sustainable (the icing on the cake). The shawls, scarves, and wraps from Pashmina.com have been handmade from pure Ladakhi Cashmere that is acquired cruelty-free. Apart from the products being immensely beautiful and luxurious, these are environment-friendly, with the makers sending their love all the way from the paradisiacal valley of Kashmir. With the assortments brimming with extravagant as well as minimalistic pieces, Pashmina.com has all the treasure-worthy pieces which are quintessential for a complete winter accessory wardrobe.
Cashmere is practically an investment. Be it the luxury shawls and scarves that are crafted out of this fine wool type, or apparel that are designed using it, everything is precious and pricey. For this reason, it is often asked if these belongings will last for a while. After all, spending thousands of dollars for a single piece of shawl, or sweater and then watching it getting damaged or spoiled is not what one would wish for. Hence, this is a serious apprehension of any Cashmere user and owner and all they want to know is how long these shawls/scarves last.
What is Cashmere?
While many know each and every bit about Cashmere, there are still a few who practically have no knowledge about this luxury fibre. For those, we have just prepared a detailed writeup, which will educate them about what Cashmere is, why it is expensive, and why women and men want it to last for many years to come.
Cashmere goat in Ladakh
Cashmere is an animal hair type that grows as a down fibre on the body of a Cashmere goat. These goats are found around the Himalayas, in Asia. As such, the production of products made from this fine wool is obvious in countries around the Himalayan range. Even though China is the largest producer of Cashmere, the best and the finest quality Cashmere comes from Ladakh, North India.
The Himalayas are home to an exotic goat species called the Cashmere goat. These goats are the animals which are reared by the Nomadic population of these areas. The goats grow fine-quality wool in the winter season. The wool grows over their underbellies, ears, neck and other parts of the body. It is a defence mechanism to cope with the extreme temperature that the area experiences. In Ladakh, for example, the temperature dips to -40 degrees C. It is the Cashmere wool that helps these goats survive.
As soon as summer arrives, the goats begin feeling uncomfortably warm. They, as a result, rub their bodies against grainy walls, coarse stones and rough bushes. This leaves traces of the Cashmere wool over these surfaces. As the herders notice a change in their temperament, they immediately call for professional help.
Cashmere goat being gently combed
Professionals arrive with suitable tools and with ethical techniques and methods, the wool is gently combed off their bodies. The goats are set free and the acquired wool is packed in small pouches to be sent for processing
Processing the finest wool - The Art of Pashmina
Perhaps the reason why this exquisite wool type is so expensive is the processing. Processing of fine Cashmere to make luxury shawls and scarves is an art known as the art of Pashmina. It takes days to months to even years to prepare one single large shawl (if it is more detailed). Hence products like these are difficult to lose to any damage.
The processing of Cashmere starts when it is acquired from the goat. After collecting the fine wool from the goat it is sent for processing. Processing is manual, which starts with the spinning of the fibre. Before spinning, the wool is cleaned, which again takes 2-3 days. Spinning needs clean fibre, as it will convert these lumps of wool into fine threads. Spinning is done using a wooden spinning wheel. With the perfect synchronisation of hands and the movement of the wheel, the wool gets converted to fine fibre which is roughly 12 to 16 microns in diameter. The fibre is ready to be handwoven now
Artisan weaving Pashmina shawl on Hand Loom
Weaving again takes place manually because such fine fibre will never be able to bear the stress and strain of the machine. Hence one or two men sit over a handloom and start weaving the spun fibre. This takes a few days, post which a beautiful product is ready. This might be a shawl, a scarf, a wrap or simply fabric to be further processed.
At times, a much more detailed Cashmere scarf or wrap takes 4 to 5 years to complete. This is the case with hand-embroidered shawls, Kani Pashmina shawls made from pure Cashmere, and many more accessories and outfits. For this reason, Cashmere is one of the most sought-after fibre types in the world.
Why is Cashmere expensive?
People won't be much amazed when they learn that one Cashmere scarf is worth a few thousand dollars. By virtue of its processing and the exclusivity of the Cashmere fibre, fine wool is well-deservingly expensive. Here are some more reasons why Cashmere products are expensive:
The acquisition of Cashmere wool is a challenge. One has to wait for an entire season to acquire it, and the process to is lengthy and complicated. One has to take care of the animal properly lest it gets hurt.
The Cashmere goat grows only 150 grams (on average) of wool per season, which isn't even enough for one full-length wrap. Hence, it takes wool from 2 to 3 goats to make one shawl. This makes these products exclusively luxurious.
Makers of Cashmere wraps and outfits often have to wait a year to get just a few ounces of the fine wool. For this reason, there is fair competition amongst the makers as supply is way less than demand.
The processing of Cashmere is time-consuming as well as rightfully hard work. From spinning, weaving, and embroidery or patterning, the products made from it do not come out of the factories before a few months. Later, if these are to be further patterned, more time is spent, and hence, once again, demand outgrows the meagre supply.
Cashmere wraps and shawls are super fine, owing to the fibre being just 12 to 16 microns. These are fine, lightweight, yet immensely warm. Moreover, these wraps are one of the warmest products in the world, and this has been so for centuries now.
How long does Cashmere last?
Being a luxury, and expensive product, one of the most frequently asked questions about Cashmere is its longevity. But one does not need to worry about the same. Cashmere wraps, when taken proper care of, last for decades. As a matter of fact, it was the Pashmina shawls of Kashmir (made from pure Ladakhi Cashmere), which were gifted by mothers to their newlywed daughters. These shawls belonged to the mothers, and would even be 20 years old or more. But never have the shawls lost even a tad in their grace or quality. In fact, it is believed that the more Pure Cashmere shawls age, the more antique and heritage look they acquire.
How to make these luxuries last longer?
Drying Cashmere shawl
Nothing lasts long if not cared for. Similar is the case for the luxe Cashmere wraps and shawls. One has to be overly conscious while handling the super delicate fibre. Here are a few tips on how to Keep your Cashmere wrap/scarf new
Make sure you wash your Cashmere scarf/wrap/shawl in lukewarm water and a gentle Cashmere shampoo. Harsh detergents should be strictly avoided when it comes to the washing of delicate fibres like Cashmere
Do not wring the product when you have to rinse it. Instead, just squeeze it between your two hands. Make sure clear water runs when you rinse it, and no traces of the shampoo are left.
Do not hang a Cashmere wrap for drying. Let it air dry, flat on the ground, preferably on a clean, dry towel. Even if this process takes 3 or 4 days, do not compromise on drying it, lest it changes shapes and gets deformed.
Do not place your iron on the shawl/scarf directly. Instead, place a cotton cloth in between the iron and the shawl/scarf. It is much better if you invest in a vertical steam iron that does not touch the surface of your luxury wrap.
Store a Cashmere wrap/scarf in a dry, clean, moisture-free place. Moisture is the worst enemy of Cashmere and hence should be avoided at all costs.
Cashmere should not be worn on a daily basis to avoid bobbling. Bobbling is common in natural fabrics like Cashmere, but can be avoided if wear and tear are reduced.
Conclusion
Artisans believe in the glory of Shine of Hue Aksi Pashmina Shawl by engaging in the luxury of the presence
Cashmere wraps have been famous and in high demand since the 18th century when European royalty was swept off their feet on their first experience. But it was Empress Josephine who set these to a timeless fashion when she wore the Kani patterned Cashmere wrap for the first time. Since the Empress was a fashion icon, the demand for Cashmere knew no bounds. And this has been the case since then, exactly till now. The current times just made Cashmere adapt to its trendy fashion fads, but the timelessness never made it compromise on the base fabric. It was, and is, an ageless accessory for those who are fond of classic pieces.
Cashmere is a luxury to have. And luckily this luxury lasts for decades. Even if a Shawl is 20 years old, it looks quite graceful - like an heirloom treasure. Hence, with proper care and handling of your Cashmere scarf, you can preserve the same for yourself and generations to come.
