If you own a real Pashmina shawl, then you must consider yourself opportune. It is a luxury and has been a dream possession of royal kings and queens, and nobles of the courts of ancient times. Across all genders, races, nationalities, and cultures, Pashmina was cherished like the rarest asset. In fact, it was a rare asset owing to its acquisition, looks, and price as well. For this reason, Pashmina shawls traveled from narrow lanes of Kashmir to the largest fashion outlets in Europe.

For this reason, Kashmiri artisans too lived like kings. They would be revered all over the world and hence invited to foreign places, especially England and South Africa, where Pashmina gained more acclaim. Kashmiri artisans would train local artisans at these places in embroidery, hand weaving, and other skills. This was especially the treatment given to Pashmina artisans. Everyone would love to hear and learn more about Pashmina, which in turn increased the demand for the product, and honoured its makers, manifold.  

Times changed, preferences changed

The acclaim and glory were not long-lived, and times fell hard on the art. The people who lived luxurious lives, the artisans, now began to feel useless in society. Demands for plunged and cheaper copies rose to fame. Fraudulently, traders sold fake Pashmina in the market, which would lose their grace after a couple of washes. This brought a bad name to the entire art of Pashmina and customers stopped buying the same. 

Pashmina - the hands behind its making

Pashmina is the fine art of transforming raw Cashmere wool into luxury apparel and accessories. It grows on the underbelly of a rare goat species of Ladakh. The Changthangi goat grows Cashmere over its body as a defense mechanism against the freezing cold the region experiences in winter. The moulting season in late spring and early summer leads the goat to naturally shed this coating, which herders collect and get processed into luxury apparel and wraps. Hence shawls, scarves, sweaters, dresses, and accessories like socks, handkerchiefs, and pocket squares are handcrafted out of it. 

Since the processing is manual, it takes much time to complete. For solid scarves and shawls, 4 to 5 days are enough. But for Kani shawls or a full embroidery Jamawar shawl, craftsmen spend years together. This sometimes proves to be a disadvantage, as customers do not like to wait. And perhaps this was the reason why fraudsters got the opportunity of introducing fake Pashmina shawls in the market, which were made in just a few hours, if not days. We are talking about the products of the power loom.

Power loom, and the death of the original Pashmina 

The demand for Pashmina shawls exceeded their supply. However, since every process related to the completion of a shawl was manual, it took months or even years to finish. The only option left for traders to make shawls at a faster pace emerged to be the use of machines. Power looms were introduced in Pashmina. The same shawl handmade in 3 to 4 days, would be made in minutes now. This, although, resulting in more production of Pashmina, diminished its quality multifold.

The shawls are handmade, crafted from Cashmere, whose fibre diameter is just 12-16 microns. This makes the fibre exceptionally fine and delicate. When this fibre was passed through the power loom, the machine strain broke it in seconds. Hence, Cashmere fibre began to be mixed with a strengthening fibre, like silk or nylon and then passed through the machine. This silk or nylon amalgam was treated with a chemical, which consumed the foreign threads, and Cashmere remained. But this chemical-treated Cashmere lost life, and a shawl that would last for a lifetime lasted for a few years. Besides, the chemical didn't always help and some foreign threads remained in a Pashmina shawl, leaving it impure.

This brought a halt in the entire Pashmina industry, and the art, as well as its artisans, lost respect and demand. Handloom artisans were jobless. Customers went for fake shawls, not knowing the reality of their processing, and handloom artisans suffered brutally at the hands of the power loom.

Also read: Handmade Pashmina vs Machine Made Pashmina - The Difference

Pashmina and its reputation

Not aware of the ground problem, customers concluded that all types of Pashmina shawls are the same, and hence fake. The reason behind this conclusion was that the same shawls that lasted a lifetime withered in a few years. This happened to most of the customers, and the industry experienced a shakeout, while its artisans experienced serious financial issues. Only local Kashmiri women knew real Pashmina makers and shopped directly from them. But on national and international levels, Pashmina shawl demand reduced from half to almost nil. These customers believed that real Pashmina doesn't even exist now.

What is real Pashmina?

Call it authentic, pure, or certified, real is the one made from pure Cashmere, acquired from the Himalayas. The Himalayan ranges house an exotic variety of goats. This goat is called the Changthangi goat. The Changthangi goat sheds its outer coat in its moulting season, which begins in Spring. This wool, after shedding, is collected by herders, who send it for processing to Kashmir. 

Processing starts with cleaning the wool and sorting it. Later it is sent for spinning, and then hand weaving takes place. This results in a handcrafted Pashmina shawl, scarf, or wrap, which is real and original. There is no inference of a machine whatsoever. Pure Pashmina is fine, soft, smooth, and immensely warm. This type of shawl has a life of more than 20-25 years.

On the other hand, fake shawls are not as warm. They have an artificially shining surface and last for a few years. These are the same shawls, that are passed through a machine, mixed with foreign strengthening threads, and hence compromised on the basis of quality. Fake shawls are cheap, as there is less quantity of Cashmere in them.

It takes the experience of a person to differentiate between pure and fake Pashminas. Some tests have, however, been devised to check the purity of a shawl. Here are some of them:

Burn Test

Burning a piece from the fringes of a Pashmina should give the same pungent smell that burnt human hair gives. Cashmere is a natural fibre and should smell the same upon catching fire. In addition to this, the ash post-burning should turn into a powdery substance. 

Uneven weave of the shawl

If you hold your real Pashmina shawl high against sunlight or any light source, you will notice an uneven weave, which is natural to human hands. Machine weaves are symmetrical and regular, while handcrafted shawls have irregular weave patterns.

Pilling Test

Even though we hate piling in clothes, in Pashmina this is a good sign. Real one will pile. This is because these are crafted from natural fibre, which pills necessarily. But if there is nylon or silk mixed with it, the shawl will never pill at all. 

Comfort Test

Original, and real Pashmina is comfortable to wear. It doesn't cause itching or rashes. 

What is the price of a Real Pashmina shawl?

Real Pashmina is expensive when compared to cheaper, fake copies of the same. The real price of an original Pashmina shawl, however, depends on a number of factors. Some of them are:

Ply

The density of Cashmere fibre used to craft a shawl is called ply. Single-ply Pashmina shawls are those where Cashmere thread is handwoven in its single form. Double-ply, also called two-ply shawls, are those where the Cashmere thread is doubled. This makes the shawl more sturdy and, to some extent, immune against harsh treatment. Two-ply shawls are more expensive. Single-ply shawls are somewhat sheer in texture, exceptionally fine, and delicate.

Yarn count

Yarn count is the count of the meters of yarn spun per gram. The more yarn count, the more quantity of yarn is included in a gram. Hence more yarn count means the shawl is finer and more delicate. A 100-count Pashmina shawl means one gram of the shawl incorporates 100 meters of Cashmere. How soft and gooey would this fibre be?

Fibre thickness

During spinning, if the fibre used is thick, i.e, around 20 microns, the shawl would be less fine, and thicker than usual. This shawl, even though it would be pure Pashmina, is less expensive. If yarn measures 12-15 microns, this shawl would be exceptionally fine and delicate, and hence more expensive.

Weaving Patterns

There isn't just one weaving pattern, but a number of them, which too determine the price of a real Pashmina. Diamond weave shawls are the most expensive, followed by twill and basketweave. Jacquard weave shawls are chosen in solid shawls which are ideal for weddings, gifts, and perfect bridesmaid wear.

In general, Pashmina shawls in their solid essence would cost around $300, patterned and printed go up to $350, embroidered shawls range from $800 to $10000 or more. The world-popular Kani shawl value ranges from $1200 to $5000 or more. This is just an average. The values might be lesser, or far greater than the above-mentioned.

How much should I pay for Pashmina in India?

The price of a Pashmina in India can vary widely depending on factors such as the quality of the Pashmina wool, the intricacy of the design, the craftsmanship, and the authenticity of the product. Authentic, high-quality Pashmina shawls that are handwoven and made from pure Pashmina wool can range from a few thousand Indian Rupees to several tens of thousands, especially if they are intricately designed or have unique features. It's important to be cautious of extremely low-priced Pashmina products, as they may not be genuine or of good quality. When purchasing a Pashmina in India, it's advisable to do thorough research, buy from reputable sources, and ensure that the product comes with proper certification or labeling to guarantee its authenticity.

Also read: Luxury Gifting | Unique Cashmere Gifts

When Pashmina spread its wings all across the globe, it was the Jamawar shawls that were considered the most premium. Exquisite was considered as an understatement for these Jamawar shawls, which were so laden with embroidery that the base was hardly visible. These were usually Sozni embroidered shawls which were also popular as Sozni shawls. 

The Underlying Pashmina base

Pashmina is the fine art of handcrafting luxury shawls, scarves, and wraps from fine Cashmere wool. Cashmere is the undercoat of a Ladakhi goat, which was discovered in the 15th century by a Persian traveller. The traveller was the Sufi saint Shah E Hamdan, the same religious scholar, who brought all kinds of handicrafts to Kashmir from Persia. He discovered Cashmere in Ladakh and ordered socks to be made out of it. The socks were so soft, warm, and luxurious that the king ordered processing units of Cashmere to be set up in Kashmir. 

Soon Cashmere wool was largely processed in Kashmir in huge quantities, and thousands of plain shawls were manufactured. But after some time, plain shawls were embellished with embroidery patterns, which too were taught by the Persian trainers to the locals. Since Pashmina shawls were lightweight and delicate, a more delicate form of embroidery thread had to be chosen to embroider it. Hence, sozni embroidery was chosen as the first of its kind, since its thread was feathery, light, and fine.

Sozni embroidery Artisans

The craftsmen of Sozni embroidery are men and women from the villages of Kashmir valley who were mostly farmers. Since Kashmir has always been an agriculturally rich place, most of the people in the villages are involved in fruit, vegetable, cereal, and animal farming. But farming is not a 365-day activity, as farms are full of snow in winters. Hence, the farmers turn into sozni embroidery artisans in winters and embroider shawls, stoles, apparel, and other fabrics. 

Nevertheless, it should never be believed that since these artisans are farmers, they might not do justice with embroidery. The farmers are utmostly skilled and experienced embroidery artisans and hand-make such designs which are difficult to follow even for the eyes. 

What is Sozni?

Sozni is a specialized and one of the most sophisticated forms of hand embroidery in the world. This exceptionally fine, delicate, and artistic form of needlework is only practiced in Kashmir and has no comparison anywhere in the world. 

Steps of making a Sozni shawl 

Sozni embroidery on a shawl is done in a number of steps. Here is the detail of each one of them.

Preparing the design

A design is prepared by the designer (locally called Naqash), which is to be embroidered on the shawl. The designer draws it on graph paper using geometrical techniques. 

Carving a wooden block for Stamping

On the basis of the design that is made by the designer, a local walnut wooden block shop is visited to choose from a large variety of wooden stamps. If the design is new, a fresh block of wood is carved as per the design, which doesn't happen too often. 

The blocks which have been carved decades ago are still used for stamping as motifs hardly change. Different blocks are used for the borders and different for the centre.

Stamping the sozni shawl

The wooden block used for stamping is dipped in chemical ink, and the shawl is stamped with a design carefully by a master craftsman. Printing is done carefully so that just an imprint remains for embroidery. Stamping the shawl should be done by the steady hands of experienced craftsmen and Kashmiri artisans are no less than perfectionists in this process. 

The stamped shawl is passed on to a master artisan, who approves of it, and chooses the colours to be used for embroidery.

Embroidering the shawl

Sozni embroidery is considered a symbol of an artist’s perseverance, dedication, and skill. To embroider a Pashmina shawl in sozni, single-needle and thread are needed so that it becomes lightweight and fine. The embroidery requires massive hard work and concentration of the master embroidery artist. It is pure passion, and artisans claim that the time when they do Sozni work is their best time of the day!

The process of embroidery starts. Threads are chosen in silk and the base is Pashmina. The motifs usually are flowers, creepers, paisleys, and chinar leaves. Embroidered Pashmina shawls vary from each other as far as the density of embroidery is concerned. Thick all-over patterns are called Sozni Jamawar shawls, while those with loosely embroidered motifs are called Sozni Jaalidaar. The stitch can be open chain, couching, buttonhole, or the famous herringbone stitch locally called Kashmiri stitch. 

Sozni Shawls - a heritage in itself

The confluence of Pashmina shawls and sozni embroidery is timeless. Their relevance has only grown with time.  Sozni embroidery is classic and that is what makes a Sozni Pashmina shawl the regal accessory that it is. It takes each shawl a few months to complete and sometimes five or six years, based on the embroidery density. The deliberately slow pace and the utmost precision of the craftsman ensure excellence as well as perfection. 

Even though, embroidery artisans must sit with their workpieces for a period of 6-8 hours every day, yet they love their work the most. Usually, artisans work from a usual 9-6 on a daily basis, with proper breaks. In this time, they can even fit 500 stitches per square centimeter of the shawl.

The process of making a Sozni embroidered Pashmina is a conscientious one. Sometimes the embroidery patterns are so dense that the Pashmina base is barely visible, and such shawls take 5 years to complete. In this process, sometimes a colour chosen for embroidery does not produce the desired effect. This stitch is undone and redone. Yet the artisans never get disinterested and work with as much vigor as they have on the very first day.

Post Embroidery

After a shawl is complete after the hard work of artisans, it is sent for washing. Since the shawl has already taken a few years to complete, it is necessary to wash it. The final washing of the shawl is done in Spring waters. Mild detergents are used, and the shawl is struck again and again against a smooth stone. Note that the washer of Pashmina shawls is different from the rest of the washers in the valley. It is a professional and labour intensive process that needs free-flowing water and many tough hands to manage. Later the shawls are dried in open grounds. There are no indoor spaces for drying Pashmina shawls. 

Now the shawl is complete. It is given a number of finishing touches like cutting fringes, removal of any foreign material, etc. Now the shawl is ironed and packed to be sold out in the markets. 

Workshops and factories of Sozni shawls

Sozni Kari is usually done by a group of men and women in home-based workshops. Some shawls are given to artisans to work on them from their respective homes. For large setups, men and women have to gather at a karkhana (factory) and work together in groups. This is a casual group, and random conversations take place between the members while having tea and lunch together. 

A mere photograph does absolutely no justice to a perfectly crafted Pashmina shawl. One has to see it closely, feel it with bare hands, glare at their labyrinthine patterns, and then realise what treasure these are. Safe to say - a shawl is nothing less than a heritage in the making. 

Also read: Pashmina - Creation beyond existence

Pashmina refers to the fine art of handcrafting luxury shawls, scarves, and wraps out of Cashmere wool. Cashmere grows as an undercoat on the body of a Himalayan goat. This fine wool is procured meticulously, processed, and transformed into apparel, wraps, shawls, accessories, and even furnishing. The finesse, smooth touch, warmth, and luxurious experience that Pashmina gives make it famous all over the world. But with all these merits, the art has received an unfortunate “cruelty” tag to its name. For this reason, a large number of customers believe that Pashmina is banned. Is it true? Or is it just a back fence talk, we found out.

Process of Pashmina making

The process of handcrafting fabric from Cashmere fibre is complex and arduous. It takes from several months to years to make Pashmina shawls and scarves. However, knowing the process, one can guess if the Pashmina ban is authentic or not. A shawl goes through the skillful hands of hundreds of artisans before completion. As such, Pashmina is the bread and butter of a large number of households in Kashmir. Families still depend on this art, which is revered all over the world. 

It is Changthang, an area 14000 feet above sea level in the Ladakh region of Kashmir, where Buddhist herders rear animals to survive. The temperature in this area goes down to -40 degrees C in winters, and the area is cut off from the rest of the world by a thick layer of snow, covering everything around. For survival, the herders depend on the animals, which provide them food, milk, warm clothes, and the activities related to them to spend time in this harsh winter. Out of many animals is a rare and peculiar species of goat known as Changthangi goat (named after their hometown). The goat is especially known to grow fine wool as an undercoat, which is exceptionally warm, smooth, and soft. This wool is Cashmere.

Procuring Cashmere from the goat

The goats are domestic animals and hence are never forced to give out Cashmere. This makes Pashmina ban more questionable. Besides in the Spring season, their wool naturally falls out as a result of hormonal changes. The rest of the wool left on some parts of its body, too, is gotten rid of by the animals themselves. This is because as summer arrives, the warmth of hair makes them uncomfortable, and they tend to get rid of it by rubbing their bodies against coarser surfaces. Herders collect the wool, comb off the little left on their underbellies, and pack them in small packets, to be sent for processing.

The actual processing in Kashmir

Processing of Cashmere takes place in Kashmir where skillful craftsmen and women with decades of experience await its arrival. As soon as it reaches Kashmir, it is handed over to women at the beginning who clean it thoroughly. Post cleaning, it is spun first, which converts lumps of wool to fine yarn. The yarn is then handwoven over traditional handlooms, which transforms fine yarn into fabric. The fabric is used to make shawls, scarves, apparel, furnishing items, and baby blankets (owing to its softness). 

Is Pashmina Banned?

With such fame and honour, Pashmina art became world-famous, but circles of rumours surrounded it. There were misstatements about Pashmina being cruel. Some believed that to acquire Cashmere from the goat, it had to be killed. Only then can one acquire Cashmere. However, upon tremendous research on this topic, researchers came to the conclusion that Pashmina was not at all cruel. To acquire Cashmere, herders call for professional help, where professionals come with specialized combs to “gently comb out” the hair from their bodies. Besides, these are domestic animals, who are known to their herders for years. They need not be forced to obtain their wool. 

THEN WHAT WAS THE RUMOUR ABOUT?

Shahtoosh - the banned beauty from Kashmir

It is Shahtoosh wool which is banned, not only locally, but all over the world. This is because Shahtoosh wool is obtained from the Chiru (the Tibetan antelope), which is wild and now an endangered antelope. To obtain the undercoat of Chiru, it has to be killed, since it is a wild animal. This makes Shahtoosh illegal and hence it is banned due to animal cruelty. 

Shahtoosh was one of the finest and warmest wools all over the world. One fibre of Shahtoosh measured just 8-10 microns in diameter, which made it microscopic for the eyes. Shahtoosh shawls were exceptionally lightweight, and full women shawls weighed minimal 160 grams. Shahtoosh shawls were called ring shawls because owing to their finesse, they could be passed through a finger-ring. It is said that these shawls were so warm that they could hatch a pigeon egg! It took the wool of three to five chiru antelopes to make one shawl, and hence their population decreased exponentially.  In 1995, an international ban on the trade of shahtoosh was signed by 142 countries. Shatoosh is globally banned, and its sales and trade are illegal all over the world now. 

Not cruel, not banned, Pashmina is sustainable and responsible

On the other hand, while Pashmina is accused of being cruel, it is conversely responsible and planet-friendly for several reasons. Pashmina ban succumbs when we know these points

• There is no use of machines, and hence no environmental pollution or wastage
• Cashmere is combed out, and not plucked or sheared from the goat. The wool grows back before winter on its body. Hence no question of animal cruelty arises. 
• Pashmina shawls last for over 20 years. Hence the art patronises slow fashion against fast fashion which has damaged our planet in an irreparable fashion.
• There still are thousands of families in Kashmir which solely depend on this art for their survival. Hence, besides empowering its artisans, Pashmina art is responsible for sustaining hundreds of families. 
• Being a natural fibre, Pashmina is biodegradable. It breaks down quickly, returning its nutrients to the soil without releasing plastic microfibers into the environment, as its synthetic competitors do. 

Is Pashmina banned in USA?

The answer is a simple NO. Pashmina is not banned anywhere in the world. Those are Shahtoosh shawls which are banned in the US and all over the world. In fact, the US is one of the leading importers of Pashmina. Hence if you live in the US and are planning to buy a Pashmina shawl or scarf, feel free to do so. You are a responsible shopper!

Also read: Pashmina - Unwrap the virtues of Art

From the land of valleys, where every now and then nature calls upon the people around to make a smooth and original use of it. The creation of Cashmere accessories from the finest Cashmere is the art of Pashmina that belongs to heaven above where artisans of skill form a place for souls to adorn. The sustainability of nature is profound in the idea of taking care of the world around. Exploiting the sources with eligibility to the sustenance. Pashmina, one of the best presents that nature has bestowed upon the souls of this world.

From the rarest breed of Goats - Cashmere

The world of known and unknown resources has been a part of the natural belonging for ages. Pashmina Art is the curation of the finest Cashmere wool of Changthangi Goat, belongs to the region of Ladakh in India. The breed Changra has been in the history of the region for ages as it’s the rarest breed.

The fleece from the particular regions of the goat that have been grown in the winter season is thus combed with hands to preserve its quality. Thereby, the Cashmere is cleaned, prepared for the handloom to weave the pashms and make magic out of it. The weaving and interweaving, done manually to provide the best natural handcrafted Pashmina Art. Afterward, the woven memories of Pashmina are thereby tinged over the colors that belong to the earth to make it even more desirable. The dyed Pashmina goes into the journey of many forms with many styles and designs procured over them.

Journey of Pashmina as designs

In the form of shawls, it evolves around nature when woven Cashmere is patterned with handprint blocks for the embroiderers to work upon with their hands of skill in a way, a meticulous and elegant design thus inscribed. There are several types of Embroideries viz., Sozni, Aari, Katha, Paper Mache, Tilla Dozi.

_{Sozni Kari}

The embroidery, created by using a needle in the hands of the artisan who moves it the way nature has swirled the flowers and leaves around. Patterns, crafted by many stitches viz; darning, double darning, herringbone, knots. Also, the most popular motifs are abstract geometric designs, paisleys, flowers. Both sides of the shawl have a detailed workaround. The Sozni work has incorporated tradition in its creation.

_{Papier Mache}

A series of flat stitches, the satin stitch, is used to fill the background fabric for the design like flowers, leaves. The design works in vivid and bright colours outlined in black colour. Overlapping of the thread to give a flat design. The whole design proposes splendor in its own way.

_{Tilla dozi}

The ravishing jewel-like embroidery substitutes the royalty of a Pashmina. The entwining of the golden threads with the normal threads gives a gentle look to the design. Moreover, the look over the Pashmina with hand-embroidered Tilla gives a fascination in itself. With the skill of artisans that belong to the valley and who work over the artwork heartedly.

Journey of Pashmina as styles

There are many ways by which it makes its identity like Pashmina shawls, Cashmere wraps, Cashmere scarves, etc.

In the form of shawls, it dwells on a larger size. The variant sizes are; 2m× 1m, 2.2m × 1.1m, and 2.8m×1.4m. It’s the rectangular apparel to give warmth and love. The purpose of a Pashmina Shawl is to wrap the upper body with it. Moreover, Pashmina Shawls can be draped on the shoulder and arms. Also, Pashmina Shawls are in designs like Sozni, Tilla Dozi, Papier Mache, etc. There are several patterns like Kani Shawls, Ombre Pashmina shawls, Reversible Pashmina Shawls, and the shawls embellished with Swarovski crystals and French Chantilly laces.

In the form of Wraps,  the elegant and fine Cashmere accessories that are used as outer clothings are the Cashmere Wraps. The premium size is 2m×70cm. The Cashmere Wraps are in various designs - Hand-embroidered, Kani Cashmere Wraps, Ombre Cashmerr Wraps, Laced Cashmere Wraps etc.

In the form of Scarves, scarves are smaller in size than shawls. The two variant sizes are; 2m×70cm and 2m× 35cm. They can be worn with casuals, formals, etc by drapping around the neck in the most stylish way. Cashmere Scarves are the most versatile as worn over by all the generations. They have meticulous designs like Shawls and Wraps. The Solid Cashmere Scarves, Ombre Cashmere and Swarovski Crystals Cashmere Scarves are the types.

Pashmina - Versatile yet precise

Pashmina Art is the curation of the finest Cashmere wool obtained from the Changra Goats. It has been with the story of pashms for a long time. It has been in its own skin for so long that it admires its different styles. Moreover, it has different distributions in the history of Art. Pashmina has molded, remolded itself in several forms that are distinguishably adorning to the world around.

Moreover, at Pashmina.com, caring and sustaining the position of genuine Pashmina has been a journey with nature. For the bliss of the world, it is the path of the whole journey with pashms as its parts of leaves and flowers around.

Also read: Pashmina Facts - 10 Amazing Facts about Pashmina

Pashmina shawls aren't just any wrap accessory. These are an embodiment of luxury and a status symbol for those who understand its value well. A coveted treasure and hence an expensive asset, Pashmina shawls are something that we, as experts, would recommend every woman to buy.  

Pashmina is the art of handcrafting luxury shawls from Cashmere wool. These shawls are super soft, fine, lightweight, and remarkably warm. Pashmina shawls are usually worn in the spring, fall, and winter seasons. These are the most preferred as other warm wraps tend to be heavy. But Pashmina shawls are immensely lightweight and hence can be carried easily. In addition to this, Pashmina shawls are unusually soft, smooth, and gentle for the skin. Never has a Pashmina shawl caused a skin allergy or even irritation. 

Much Effort, Much Prosperity: Making a Pashmina shawl

The making of a Pashmina shawl is one tedious task. And this task does not take a day or a week to complete. There are shawls that take months and there are shawls that take years to complete. It depends on the pattern of the shawl, like embroidery density and type, that dictates the time taken. 

Pashmina shawls are handwoven from Cashmere wool which comes from Ladakh

Processing Cashmere for Pashmina

Pashmina is crafted from Cashmere wool, which is found growing on a Himalayan goat. These goats are rare and exotic and are found on the Himalayan range, where Buddhist herders rear them. As such, Cashmere can be found in countries like Nepal, Pakistan, North India, Afghanistan, and more. The finest Cashmere is, however, found in north India, in the Ladakh area.  

Cashmere, Ladakh and Changthang

Changthang is an area located in the Ladakh area of North India. In the high plateaus of the Ladakh area where the Changthangi goat is found. The goat is exceptionally beautiful to look at, soft to touch. It is a domestic animal that survives its herders in one of the harshest winters in the world. The Changthang area is located at a height of over 14000 feet above sea level and experiences a temperature of -40 degrees winters. During this cruel temperature, it is these domestic Changthangi goats that provide them with their wool, milk, and meat. 

The Changthangi goat grows fine hair as its undercoat. It is not any ordinary wool, but a very special one, with properties which amaze one. This wool is called Cashmere. It keeps the goat warm and alive when the temperature goes down to minus. Ladakhi Cashmere is the best quality Cashmere in the world and has been accepted so worldwide. It is the softest, finest, and warmest Cashmere when compared to Cashmere wool coming from other areas. These properties can be accredited to the location where these goats reside. It is said that if these goats are slightly moved from their own habitat, the Cashmere on their body becomes thicker and of poorer quality.

The Royal Love for Pashmina Shawls

Pashmina shawls are the wraps of the royals. Western women had especially developed an immense love for the fine fabric, especially when its news spread in Europe. Kings and royals from noble courts made sure to come and bring Pashmina shawls from Kashmir for their families. In 1798, Napoleon Bonaparte attacked Egypt and as a war booty collected some Pashmina shawls from the army. The shawls were graceful and the Emperor decided to gift one of these to his wife. Empress Josephine, his wife, and a fashion icon of her time loved this shawl much. It is believed that later she owned a few hundred shawls of the same type (Kani Pashmina). One can still see Empress Josephine in a portrait wearing a beautiful and luxurious Pashmina shawl embellished with beautiful and timeless motifs.

At the same time, the very affluent Nikolai Demidov, a wealthy Russian, would very often show immense love to his wife, Yelizaveta Demidova (Nikolai dominated the mines and foundries of the Urals region in Russia). Yelizaveta was a noblewoman from the royal court,  and it was her royal taste that made her develop exceptional love and reverence for Kashmiri Pashmina Shawls, made from Ladakhi Cashmere. Her husband, too, showered her with the same, and many of her portraits show her wearing classically designed Pashmina shawls.

Kashmiri rulers and their love for Pashmina art

Locally, the Mughal emperors had a deep interest in Pashmina shawls. Emperor Akbar, especially, had a keen interest in developing the art of handcrafting Pashmina shawls from Cashmere wool. Mughal emperors introduced a number of embroidery patterns and motifs that can still be seen in some hand-embroidered shawls made of Cashmere. Shah Pasand Shawls are one such example of Mughal-inspired shawls which are still available with dealers and a few patrons of the art. (Shah Pasand literally means ‘Emperor’s Delight’). 

Emperor Jehangir, in his autobiography ‘Tuzk e Jahangiri has described Pashmina as their favourite piece of clothing. The Pashmina industry reached its zenith during the rule of the Mughals. Members of the Mughal courts consumed large quantities of Pashmina fabric. They used it as clothing, accessorizing, decorating their walls, furnishing, bedding, and more. 

Hence, in the era bygone, only the affluent section of the society enjoyed the luxury of this coveted art. Some instances show that Pashmina once adorned the court of Caesar and was the very beloved possession of the French Queen Mary Antoinette. Pashmina has always been special, and for that reason, it travelled all over the world. Its love and reverence have never been diminished from the hearts of its all-time admirers, who would still sacrifice any accessory for one Pashmina shawl.

Innovations in Pashmina

Post the 18th century, a number of innovations came up which led to British and French textile manufacturers copying Pashmina shawls as a response to their increasing popularity. They experimented with a large number of designs and fabric blends to create the softness and warmth of the Kashmiri shawl, but all failed. This was due to a large number of facts that made Pashmina shawls special and unparalleled. Here are some amazing facts about Pashmina shawls, that no accessory in the world can compete with

Amazing facts about Kashmiri Pashmina

1. The minute Micron count of the fibre

Micron count is the diameter of a wool thread. The lesser it is, the finer is the thread, and hence the more lightweight is the fabric that is crafted from it. Cashmere fibre has a micron count of just 12 to 16 microns. Note that human hair has an average micron count of 50. This makes Ladakhi Cashmere four times thinner than human hair. Now one can guess the fineness of Ladakhi Cashmere, and hence that of a Kashmiri Pashmina shawl.

2. Immensely Lightweight and hence easy to carry

Since the count of each fibre is just 12 to 16 microns, it makes a Pashmina shawl extremely lightweight. A full-size women's shawl is around 450 grams in weight. This makes it easy to carry, and the most preferred accessory to be worn in winters. One can even tie a large shawl to a bag if the temperature allows to take the shawl off. That is how soft and flimsy the shawl is. For this reason, Pashmina shawls travelled all across the globe, when women learned about a shawl which was warmer than the warmest of shawls, but lightweight like barely there. 

3. The warmth of a Pashmina Shawl is exemplary

Pashmina shawls are exceptionally warm and comfortable to wear. It is enough for one to wear just a Pashmina shawl to keep warm. Many women have claimed that they do not need to wear sweaters or jackets, and just a shawl made from Cashmere is enough to keep them cozy and comfortable.

Pashmina shawls are a natural insulator. These capture the heat inside and prevent the cold from reaching the skin. Hence for a long winter season or even a sudden dip in temperature, Pashmina is the safest place to hide.

4. Handmade from acquisition to selling

A Pashmina shawl is handcrafted. Pure Cashmere is acquired from the Changthangi goat in Ladakh. It is naturally shed by the goat in the spring season, which is collected by its herders. Cashmere is then cleaned, and sold to its processors. 

Processing starts from spinning which is done over a wooden spinning wheel. It is spun by women spinners and transformed into 12-micron threads. These threads are handwoven by men, who mount the threads on a handloom and weave them into Pashmina shawls. 

These shawls are solid, and if embroidered, it is only hand embroidery that is done over these shawls. The finesse and flimsy base does not bear the strain of machine embroidery, and can tear easily if treated harshly.

5. Shawls that take years to complete

The time taken to complete a Pashmina shawl sometimes takes years together. Jamawar shawls, which are embroidered by hand all over the base, take 5 to 6 years to complete. Artisans can embroider up to an inch per day, and hence the fine embroidery patterns take years to complete. Patrons of this fine art wait patiently for the product, which fills them with delight when it comes out in the market to be the crown of their wardrobes.

6. Less production, more demand 

Cashmere production is very less when compared to other types of wool. One Changthangi goat produces just 150 grams of wool, and hence 3 or 4 goats are required to make one large Pashmina shawl which measures 200 cm * 100 cm (L*B). For this reason, herders have to wait for the Spring season, each year, so that the goat sheds its hair and then they collect it. Likewise spinners have to wait for herders to clean it and send the wool to them, weavers have to wait for spinners to change lumps of wool to fine threads, embroidery artisans wait for weavers and so on. It is finally the customer who has to have a lot of patience, and wait for the masterpiece to reach him. 

Pashmina has a high demand and this has been so for centuries. Hence, the less production of Pashmina becomes one of the cons that Pashmina users do not like. Yet, being admirers of fine art, they never complain, and always wait patiently for their treasurous piece.

7. The Expensive art of Pashmina

Since the production is low, the processing is manual and time-consuming, and the demand is high, Pashmina shawls tend to have a high price. Some shawls may cost you some hundred dollars while others may be priced a few thousand dollars. It all depends on the technique, time taken, embroidery pattern, weave pattern, and a lot more factors that dictate the price of a shawl. And while some may complain about the high prices, others spend time making them understand how Pashmina shawls deserve every dollar spent on them.

8. A Lifetime with Pashmina

Pashmina is a lifetime investment. A pure Pashmina, handmade from the purest Cashmere threads will last for an entire lifetime. The newlywed bride in ancient Kashmir would receive her mother’s shawl as a gift on the day of the wedding. This shawl would be around 30 years old, and would never look old. In fact, some say that these shawls would have acquired an heirloom look, and would look more regal and aggrandized than a fresh piece. 

Pashmina shawls travel through generations. But it is just pure shawls that do so. A fake or mixed Pashmina shawl won't last for more than 3 or 4 years. 

Also read: Pashmina Gifts - A Lifetime of Memories

9. Timeless Pashmina shawls

Pashmina shawls can be worn by women of any generation because of their versatility. If there are hand embroidered and Kani shawls for elderly women, there are in vogue prints and patterns for the younger ones. Hence, one more reason to love Pashmina is its ageless nature and the fact that there is a Pashmina for everyone. 

These are some amazing facts that overwhelm one who owns a Pashmina shawl. Many of us who own Pashmina shawl does not do anything more than its warmth. Others who know all do not own one. Hence, as stated earlier, our fashion experts recommend every woman to own at least one Pashmina shawl, or scarf, or wrap, and be the queen of style that she always wanted to be.

10. Softness that is unparalleled

Pashmina shawls are incredibly soft and smooth. These properties make a full shawl pass through a finger-ring. This amazing fact has been used by sellers to show the purity of Pashmina shawls. However, passing through a finger ring is just evidence of Pashmina shawls being unimaginably soft, smooth, and fine. It has got nothing to do with the purity or originality of the shawl.

Also read: 7 Questions you need to ask while you purchase a Real Pashmina

Cashmere, the finest fibre enthralls the whole world with its supreme quality. The uniqueness of art in the creation of Cashmere accessories is up to the mark. Believing in the cradle of Kashmir, with its artisans, defines the richness of culture. With the advent of modernism, the cashmere preferred the lines of both traditions as well as contemporary styles. Thus, proving to be versatile of accessories in the world of fashion.

Cashmere - In the Cradle of Ladakh

Changthanghi plateau is the high altitude region on one of its sides in the Ladakh region of India. The goats of the region are called the Changra goats as they are of the Changra breed. Worldwide, there are several other breeds of Cashmere giving goats. Malra breed, Chigu breed, Licheng breed, Tibetan breed, Liaoning breed, Changhthanghi breed are some of the breeds. Among all, the Changhthanghi breed gives the finest Cashmere. Therefore, the Cashmere given by the Changra goats is finest. They are also called Kashmir goats. They survive the harsh cold weather of Changthangi that plunges to more than minus 40° C. These goats are of a rare breed with medium bodies and large twisted horns. Thus, mainly raised for Cashmere production and meat production.

The Changra goats develop thick, soft wool in the winter season to attain warmth. They are herded by the Changpa tribe of the region. On coming to summers, the goats naturally shed off the thick wool with rocks and trees around. In addition, the Changpa herders manually comb out the soft wool. This soft wool from the Himalayan goats is the finest cashmere wool. The tufts of wool after combing out are packed in small packets. Therefore transferred to the valley of Kashmir where the art of Pashmina belongs.

Also read: The Trail of India’s Cashmere Goat Men

Cashmere - In the cradle of Kashmir Valley

The tufts of Cashmere wool reach the Kashmir valley. They are cleaned, soaked, and dried. Afterward, the fine Cashmere is spun by the women of the valley. The highly skilled women spin the Cashmere wool on the wheel called yinder in the local language. Therefore, the meticulous process leads to the creation of Cashmere yarn. The Cashmere yarn is whirled on the spindles by the process of pranch and using the thanchor instrument.

The Cashmere yarn, taken to the handlooms for the weaving process is finest. Highly skilled artisans thus weave precisely. The woven Cashmere is further processed by the artisans who have taken the pledge of curating the premium Cashmere. Thus, different styles like Pashmina Shawls, Cashmere Wraps, and Cashmere Scarves are crafted by the explicit Art of Pashmina.

Artisans and the Fine Cashmere

Artisans have a great role in the crafting of the finest Cashmere. From the combing out of the Cashmere wool to the designing of the Cashmere, all the processes are done by hand. Thus, proving the zeal of the people for the love of Pashmina Art. The people of Kashmir learnt the skill of crafting Cashmere from the craftsmen of Persia.

The history goes around to the 13th century when a saint from the Middle East came to the valley of Kashmir. On his journey to the valley, he reached Ladakh and encountered the fine wool on the Changra goats. The saint made socks out of this fine Wool. He had come on the journey with his 700 craftsmen. He gifted the socks to the ruler of Kashmir. And eventually, he suggested crafting the fine wool to numerous accessories. The wool came to be known as Cashmere. And the craft came to be known as Pashmina. The craftsmen taught the skill to the people of Kashmir. Till now, the highly skilled artisans in Pashmina Art are the people of Kashmir.

The Elegance of Pashmina Art

The pledge of taking the craft into their hearts has made millions of luxurious Pashmina accessories. The uniqueness in every masterpiece and the style quotient of each piece is tremendous. With time, the artisans incorporated the fashion of the era into the Art of Pashmina. Likewise, in today's world, Pashmina Art leads the fashion world with the luxury of exclusive and elegant accessories.

The artisans of the valley define the Art of Pashmina as their confidante of skill. Also, the artisans of the valley have their livelihood attached to the Pashmina Art. Moreover, generations of generations have worked in the field of Pashmina for ages. It is so mesmerizing to see the workshops/karkhanas filled with the smell of Cashmere. An aura, created by the traditional music of the valley is divine. Thus, adding a glimpse of culture in each masterpiece. The artisans with their high skill of precision as well as creativity confer to this Kashmiri Art with admiration for each process from spinning to designing.

Also read: 31 Celebrities who wore Pashmina

Confidante to the Artisans

We, at pashmina.com, support the artisans on each level of their creation. We, highly appreciate the authenticity and purity of the Pashmina Art. Our platform directly takes the masterpieces from the lap of artisans to make the luxurious path of Pashmina Art evident to the world. Aspiring diverse collections of finest Cashmere from the Ladakh region. We, profoundly curate the premium Cashmere with sustainability to nature. The world of fashion attributes to the luxurious spectrum to create the best masterpieces.

Also, the heritage of the valley felt in every style is divine. The artisans with the skill of creativity and precision incorporate the versions of heritage and culture. In addition, the uniqueness in the horizons of Kashmir valley is evident in the collection of our platform. Bring a joy of warmth to your closet by wearing the finest Cashmere peeking through the Pashmina Art.

Also read: 5 Cashmere Scarves you should definitely own

When you hear of Pashmina wraps, you generally think of age-old, saree-clad women draping the coveted Pashmina wraps on their shoulders. Yes, this does exist even today, but the numbers are fewer. Let us get it straight, not the numbers who buy this luxurious shawl, but those who wear it in a traditional manner. We live in a day and age where fashion choices have become significant and putting together a great outfit replete with stylish accessories is what makes you stand out.

What is a Cashmere Wrap?

Made from the finest fibers of cashmere goats, especially those found in the high altitudes of the Himalayas, a cashmere wrap is an opulent and adaptable accessory. Cashmere is a wool product known for its exceptional warmth, softness, and light weight. The soft, fluffy quality of this delicate material is ensured by combing it from the goats' undercoat, making it feel pleasant against the skin. The resultant wrap is perfect for layering throughout the seasons since it provides warmth without adding weight. Wearing it in mild or cool weather is made possible by its delicate weave.

Cashmere wraps have developed from classic to modern designs, fusing creativity and utility. They are sometimes handwoven or hand-embroidered by trained artisans, especially in areas like Kashmir where the technique has great cultural significance. They are sometimes embellished with exquisite patterns including paisleys, floral motifs, and geometric designs. These wraps frequently represent decades of skill and encapsulate the legacy of weaving and textile arts, whether they are ornamented with delicate embellishments or exquisite embroidery. A Cashmere wrap is made with such creativity and accuracy that it transcends the realm of clothes to become a work of art.

Procuring the fine Cashmere wool from Changhthanghi

It takes careful attention to detail and tradition to obtain the exquisite Cashmere wool from Changthangi goats, which are indigenous to the high-altitude Changthang region of Ladakh. These resilient goats create a very soft undercoat to withstand the harsh winters since they are acclimated to the high cold of the Himalayas. The fine fibers are meticulously combed by hand when the goats naturally shed their wool in the spring. This process guarantees that the delicate fleece is recovered without endangering the animals. The base for the opulent Cashmere textiles, its undercoat—known as pashm—is highly valued for its exceptional lightness, warmth, and softness.

Due to its tiny micron diameter, which enables the wool to be spun into incredibly soft, feather-light threads, Changthangi Cashmere has unrivaled quality. To guarantee that only the finest fibers are utilized, every stage of the procurement process—from combing to sorting—is executed with the highest precision. The exquisite shawls, scarves, and wraps made from this unique wool are crafted by talented craftspeople, most of whom are from Kashmir. Cashmere wool is highly sought-after due to its rich cultural heritage and exclusivity, which are reflected in the difficult trip it takes from the isolated Changthang plateau to the skillful hands of weavers.

Crafting of finest Ladakhi Cashmere

The process of skillfully transforming unprocessed fibers into opulent fabrics, which embodies both artisanal proficiency and profound cultural legacy, is the first step in creating the finest Ladakhi Cashmere. The wool from Changthangi goats is meticulously cleaned to remove contaminants after their silky undercoats are thoroughly combed and sorted. The delicate nature of the material means that the following stage entails hand-spinning the fine strands into yarn, an extremely skilled and patient process. Then, using traditional looms that have been passed down through the years, skilled artisans weave this yarn—which is prized for its smooth texture and lightweight quality—into elaborate designs.

The artistry and workmanship infused into each piece, in addition to the superior wool, is what distinguishes Ladakhi Cashmere. Due to the intricate nature of the weaving process, many craftspeople use age-old motifs and designs—such as geometric patterns, floral motifs, or paisleys—that are a reflection of the rich cultural legacy of the area. Some items have additional hand embroidered or intricate zari work added to them, turning the textiles into works of art. Every Cashmere product—shawl, scarf, or wrap—carries with it the heritage of Ladakh's high-altitude workmanship, fusing human talent with the finest fibers found in nature to create a textile of unmatched luxury and elegance.

Crafting of Cashmere Wraps

The process of making Cashmere wraps starts in the secluded, windswept hills where Cashmere goats' undercoats are picked for their softest wool. Pashm, the name for this wool, is so fine that it feels like spun air. Hand-spun gossamer threads are meticulously crafted by artisans who are deeply rooted in the customs of their forefathers. The weaver's patience is infused into every strand as the threads develop on antique looms. Wraps that seem to encapsulate the essence of lightness and warmth are the result of a delicate waltz between the natural beauty of the fiber and the expert hands that guide it.

After being spun, the wool is transformed into fabric by the weavers who add elaborate designs and traditional motifs. Geometric patterns inspire the ageless Himalayan landscapes, florals bloom in symphonies of color, and paisleys unfold like delicate vines. Whether it's a reflection of the natural world or the legacy of centuries-old artistry, every pattern conveys a story. Metallic zari threads are woven into some wraps, giving the already opulent texture a dash of glistening elegance. Every design is an expression of the weaver's creative vision, combining innovation and tradition to produce a one-of-a-kind work of art.

When the last stitches are made, the Cashmere wrap becomes more than just a clothing item—it becomes a work of wearable art. A representation of elegance and skill, the delicate, flowing fabric has intricately woven motifs. It transports the warmth of the mountains, the tales of the weavers, and the legacy of a craft that has survived for many generations when it is draped across the shoulders. A Cashmere wrap is more than simply a fashion accessory—it's a tangible link to an enduring legacy of craftsmanship and nature combined—whether it's worn as a statement piece or a cozy layer.

Sustainable Fashion and Cashmere Wraps

Cashmere wraps are changing to reflect these environmentally concerned ideals as sustainable fashion becomes an increasingly important component of the contemporary textile industry. The ethical sourcing of the wool itself is fundamental to sustainable Cashmere production. In high-altitude places such as Ladakh and Mongolia, goats' undercoats yield the finest Cashmere fibers, since these herders gather wool in an ethical and sustainable manner. These goats never suffer injury; instead, their wool is meticulously combed by hand once it sheds naturally each spring. This strategy guarantees the preservation of the natural balance of the delicate alpine habitats while also honoring the welfare of the animals.

Cashmere wraps are made with an emphasis on patient, artisanal craftsmanship, in contrast to the rapid fashion trends that are mass produced. Skilled artisans meticulously spin, dye, and weave each piece, frequently utilizing methods that have been handed down through the years. Because this procedure takes a long time, it promotes a deliberate approach to fashion that prioritizes quality over quantity. When cashmere wraps are made with longevity and classic style in mind, they become heirloom pieces that outlive fads in fashion. Purchasing these durable, high-quality wraps is a crucial step toward cutting waste and promoting moral, small-scale manufacturing.

Sustainable Cashmere wraps assist the lifestyles of artisans and herders in distant areas, which goes beyond the fibers and craftsmanship to contribute to conscious consumerism. An ethical supply chain is promoted by numerous organizations in the cashmere sector that aim to guarantee fair wages and working conditions. Furthermore, the development of Cashmere wraps is in line with the larger objectives of sustainable fashion since it prioritizes the use of environmentally friendly dyes and reduces the production process's environmental impact. This makes these wraps a sensible option for a more sustainable, ethical future in fashion in addition to providing luxury and comfort.

Contemporary Fashion and Cashmere Wraps

Cashmere wraps are elegant and versatile, and current design instincts have been combined with traditional workmanship to create a look that is all its own. Cashmere wraps are becoming more widely recognized as versatile accessories that elevate regular clothing rather than just being opulent pieces for special events. Bolder patterns, vivid color schemes, and inventive textures are being used by designers to give these classic pieces a modern, urban feel. The modern Cashmere wrap is a mainstay in contemporary wardrobes throughout the year because it can be worn with everything from classy evening ensembles to casual daywear and bold designs.

The way that Cashmere wraps are styled has also expanded due to the impact of modern fashion. They may now be worn in a variety of stylish ways, such as layered over coats, belted at the waist, or even styled like huge scarves. They are no longer just for draping over the shoulders. The Cashmere wrap's adaptability enables it to be both practical and stylish, providing warmth and coziness while incorporating a stylish touch into any ensemble. The wrap becomes a statement piece that reflects the wearer's uniqueness while keeping a sense of timeless sophistication when paired with fitted suits, sleek dresses, or even jeans and boots.

Furthermore, contemporary Cashmere wraps are the epitome of elegance and usefulness. These wraps provide a strong, long-lasting investment that goes beyond fads as fashion shifts more in the direction of sustainability and quality. Modern styles now accommodate a greater variety of aesthetics, from aggressive maximalism to minimalist elegance, making cashmere wraps suitable for a wide range of fashion preferences. The Cashmere wrap keeps evolving, staying true to its reputation as a sign of sophisticated elegance and adjusting to the ever-changing world of modern fashion, whether it's a light springtime piece or a warm winter wrap.

Elegance of wearing a Cashmere Wrap

The simple way a Cashmere wrap can dress up any outfit is what makes it so elegant. A Cashmere wrap, which is composed of the softest and finest fibers, drapes effortlessly over the shoulders and gives off an air of sophistication and luxury. Whether thrown on casually over a sweater or meticulously dressed over formal clothes, its flowing fabric and lightweight texture create a lovely silhouette. The wrap's exceptional craftsmanship and natural sheen lend an air of subdued grandeur to the wearer's appearance, making it a classic piece that goes well with everything from evening gowns to effortlessly stylish casual ensembles.

Beyond its luxurious feel, the Cashmere wrap makes a flexible fashion statement. Because of its flowing shape, it may be creatively draped, folded, and knotted, offering it a special versatility that amplifies individual expression. Whether put casually over a coat on a breezy day or worn over an evening gown for a formal event, the wrap seamlessly suits a variety of events. A single, delicate move may turn even the most basic of ensembles into a stylish one, owing to its exquisite craftsmanship and the quiet confidence it bestows upon its user.

Supreme Cashmere Wraps from Kashmir

The finest Cashmere wraps from Kashmir are weaved from the lightest breaths of Himalayan air in the valleys where the winds murmur through the ancient cedars. The warmth of a cloud's kiss and the softness of a mountain's embrace are included in each thread, a delicate poem woven from Changthangi goat fleece. These wraps are more than just cloth; they are whispers of artistic beauty, resonating with the chants of weavers who work to the beat of their ancestors' looms, as centuries of tradition are whispered through the deft weaves and elaborate patterns.

The wraps take shape like rivers of silk, flowing in different shades of dawn and dusk, while the hands of artists dance across looms. Flowers grow in threads of gold and silver, shimmering as if touched by the first light of morning; paisleys, like vines of recollection, unfold across the velvety expanse. These wraps, when draped over the shoulders, exude the grace of the Kashmiri highlands. They are a subdued luxury that speaks of the richest offerings of the soil, made with love and care.

Softening in their grasp is the world. The chilly feel of the wrap envelops the skin like a soul-sharing secret from nature, a link to the pristine highlands and the essence of artistry. With their stories of beauty woven in ultra-fine strands that give the impression of having been spun from dreams, these Kashmiri Cashmere wraps transcend beyond simple clothing.

Ways to wear Cashmere Wraps

A Cashmere Wrap represents ageless beauty and refinement and is more than just an accessory. Due to its adaptability, it may be worn as a comfortable layer when traveling, slung over the shoulders for formal events, or styled like a fashionable scarf. The flowing, smooth fabric elevates any look, making it a treasured piece for both dressy and casual collections. With equal parts coziness, warmth, and elegance, each wrap epitomizes understated luxury.

1. Pashmina wrap - The Shrug Style

We’ve often seen women sporting a shrug with short tops or dresses, but how about making one with your Pashmina wrap? To do so, first, get hold of an elastic band and then drape the Pashmina shawl over your shoulders. Next, tightly hold the two ends at the back together and then pull them through the band. You can accordingly adjust the band so that it isn’t visible and sits behind the shawl, giving you a cape-like look.

2. Twist and Drape Style of Pashmina wrap

Wear the Pashmina shawl all over your shoulders and then just take one end, twist it and then drape it on a single shoulder. Take the other end that’s remaining and put it at the top of your neckline. Voila! You’ve got a stylish way to wear that Pashmina wrap.

3. The Casual Look

Loosely wrap a coloured pashmina with a pair of jeans, when you are in the mood to make a stylish appearance but are feeling lazy to make all the effort. It is classy, comfortable and gives your outfit an edge without even trying much! It can be the perfect look for a work meeting or a lunch date, so give this one a shot!

4. Folded and Tied Pashmina wrap

Fold your shawl in half so it looks more like a square, then fold it diagonally. You will end up with two points at the back. Holding the two corners, wrap the shawl around your shoulders and tie it to one side. It looks elegant and can be sported both for a day and night look, depending upon your outfit. You can team it with a plain top and jeans or a casual dress if you are out for a meeting or join your friend group for lunch. In case it’s a night out, your draping style remains the same. Just make sure you wear a dressy top or that blingy dress you’ve kept aside!

5. The Stole Look

Whatever the celebrities wear or do becomes a rage in no time and the buzzword that seems to have taken the fashion world by storm is airport looks. It’s a recent phenomenon that the media has picked on and seems to go crazy about. Not that we are complaining, we get our style inspiration from there too. There’s a trend that seems to have caught on with the biggest socialites and celebrities, which is wearing a bright coloured pashmina wrap as a stole with a double-breasted coat in bold colours, such as black and brown. It will accentuate your look within seconds!

6. Pashmina wrap with a brooch

To add that bling to your outfit, get a big and glittering brooch, especially if you are setting out to a formal gathering. Take the scarf and fold it in two around your body, then pin the two parts of the wrap together on one shoulder. Try not to keep it too close to your neck for ease of movement, so that it doesn’t make you feel uncomfortable later.

7. Pashmina Shoulder Twist

Another great option is to wear your pashmina wrap with a shoulder twist. To get the look, crush your Pashmina as if you are going to wear it like a scarf. Then wrap it around your neck with the two long ends in the front. Later, tuck each end through the neck and then pull towards the side to drape the tails of the scarf across your shoulders.

We’ve given you some uber-cool tips to style your Pashmina wrap. Now, no longer go for the run-of-the-mill draping styles and make a mark by sashaying down a wedding or a party with the most stylish drapes.

Men's Cashmere Wraps

Men's cashmere wraps provide the ideal balance of style and functionality, emulating sophisticated sophistication. These wraps are a must-have accessory for the modern man since they are made from the softest Cashmere fibers and are intended to offer warmth as well as style. Whether draped over a fitted suit for a formal occasion or worn with a casual ensemble for a more laid-back vibe, Cashmere's opulent texture and natural sheen lend a touch of sophistication to every ensemble. These wraps are so adaptable that they work well for both work and a night out, adding a polished touch to any ensemble.

The intricate details and elegant designs of men's Cashmere wraps reveal the artistry behind them. Each wrap is an enduring example of style, ranging from traditional solid colors to delicate patterns and sophisticated weaves. Contemporary aesthetics are frequently combined with old techniques by artisans to create timeless and fashionable objects. In addition to being opulent, these covers have a clever design and a variety of alternatives to suit a variety of tastes and preferences. Every wrap is a sophisticated taste statement thanks to the deliberate choice of hues and patterns.

Men's Cashmere wraps are made with an emphasis on comfort and durability in addition to style. The wrap will continue to be a beloved accessory for many years to come since the fibers, which are renowned for their durability, hold their warmth and softness throughout time. These wraps blend utility and elegance, whether worn for their insulating qualities on a chilly day or just as a chic addition. Purchasing a cashmere wrap is committing to a piece of traditional design and quality, while also embracing a timeless luxury item that elevates comfort and style.

Also read: Pashmina Fashion | Take notes from the Retro era

Why Choose Pashmina in Winters?

There are numerous reasons why Pashmina has lately become the number one choice of men and women, when it comes to the winter season. Owing to its immense warmth as well as being the most stylish accessory, Pashmina shawls and scarves are always preferred to its counterparts. Let us know why:

1. Exceptional Warmth: Pashmina is known for its unique warmth. Pashmina wool has exceptionally good insulation qualities that retain heat close to the body in its light, tiny fibres. Even in severely cold temperatures, this keeps you warm and comfortable.
2. Comfort and Warmth: Pashmina is exceptionally plush and soft to the touch. It feels soft and soothing against the skin, which makes it a pleasure to wear in the cold. Cashmere fibres, in contrast to other types of wool types, are fine and delicate, guaranteeing a comfortable and itch-free experience.
3. Lightweight and Breathable: Pashmina is remarkably light and breathable despite its warmth. It enables air circulation, minimizing overheating, and makes sure you're comfy all day long. Pashmina shawls and scarves are, therefore, perfect for layering, without feeling bulky.
4. Versatility: Pashmina shawls and scarves are a flexible accessory that may be worn in a number of different ways. These can be worn as a shawl across your shoulders, a scarf around your neck, or even a warm blanket. Their adaptability lets you maintain warmth while dressing for various settings and trends.
5. Timeless Style: Pashmina has a beautiful and timeless appeal. Any winter ensemble instantly gains a touch of sophistication from its fine texture and exquisite drape. A Pashmina shawl or scarf may enhance your style and create a fashion statement, whether you're dressing up for a formal occasion or choosing a more casual approach.
6. Natural, Sustainable, Responsible: Pashmina is manufactured from the undercoat of Himalayan mountain goats, notably the Changthangi breed. It is natural and sustainable. The welfare of the goats is guaranteed as the wool is obtained through a gentle combing procedure. Being a natural and renewable fibre, Pashmina is a sustainable option for winter clothing.
7. An treasure-worthy, Investment Piece: Because of its exceptional quality and durability, Pashmina is sometimes regarded as an investment piece. A well-made Pashmina item can last for years with the right maintenance, giving warmth and style season after season. You can always wear it as part of your winter wardrobe.
8. How to Wrap a Shawl: Wrapping Pashmina Shawls and Wraps is one of the easiest things to do. Simply let the fashion diva inside you create her own styles and make you feel on top of the world. Wearing a shawl with such a rich cultural legacy will definitely make your look the best version of yourself.

Looking from the meadows of creation, the appearance scatters the glory around. There are so many aspects in nature that enthrall the virtue of being sacred. A world full of liveliness and beauty, a valley cherished by nature itself bestows upon the enchantment of serenity. Kashmir, a valley in the north of India unravels the heaven on earth. The acquaintances with the flowers, mountains, sky, and nature flow in the rivers of the valley. Kashmir valley confers to revere Pashmina as the craft of heritage. The exquisite craft defines the boundaries of no limit in the sphere of creativity and luxury.

Folklore of the Paradise of Kashmir

The word Kashmir was derived from the ancient Sanskrit language word and was referred to as kasmira. There are prescribed several etymologies in the origin of the valley itself. A famous and fine etymology derives the origin from the name of the Vedic sage Kashyapa who is believed to have settled people in this land. Accordingly, Kashmir would be from either kashyapa-mir (Kashyapa's Lake) or kashyapa-meru (Kashyapa's Mountain). In addition, geologists have described that Kashmir valley was a lake initially. Therefore, the lake drained through the gap of Baramulla, presently a district of Kashmir. The etymology is given proof by the description of Nilamata. It describes the valley originating from a lake called Sati-saras.

Kashmir, a paradise filled with histories and sagas of previous folklores, described to be the most unique in its presentation of nature is marvelous. Even in times of crisis, beauty invades into the soul leaving behind all the despair. Therefore, the valley witnessed the long history of itself and its culture. The heritage of the valley identifies several Art and Craft divinities. Consequently, the revival of the folks in the creation of handicrafts is explicit.

Chronicle of Pashmina Craft in the lap of Kashmir

History depicts the arrival of Cashmere and then Pashmina in the most natural way. Cashmere has been in the world since the 13th century in the region of Kashmir valley. The Cashmere word, coined by the Europeans was due to the abundance of the finest Cashmere wool in the valley of Kashmir from where Pashmina found its path.

The history dates back to the 15th century in the Kashmir Valley of India. The presence 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. The saint landed its appearance in the Changthang Mountain in Ladakh. While perceiving nature, he locked his eyes on the goat of marvelous wool. Astonished by 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. By the beauty of Pashmina wool, suggested making an industry that cultivates the Pashmina wool in desirable styles. Even the name Pashmina, derived from the Persian word, pashm, meaning "the soft gold" is exquisite in being and depicts the heritage full of uniqueness.

Therefore, Cashmere, from the fleece of rare nomadic breed of goats. The breed is found between Mongolia, China, Iran, Tibet, Northern India, and Afghanistan. The finest among all, obtained in the Ladakh region of India is Himalayan cashmere. From there, the Cashmere, cleaned, dried, and soaked to form the fine fleece is pure. The finest fleece travels to paradise for proper supplication in creativity. Afterward, the unique designs and styles prescribed on the finest Pashmina are explicit. Herein, the role of artisans of the heavenly valley takes place. The lullaby of skill soothes over the Pashmina craft with exquisite patterns, weaves, and embroideries.

Pashmina Craft - Tangled with the Heritage of Kashmir

Kashmir, alone where Pashmina craft endeavours. From Ladakh to Kashmir, the craft of Pashmina endures the creativity within. An ancient craft perfected over the centuries is also divine. After the diligent picking, the process moves forward. Spinning, done by hand on the traditional charkha wheel known as yinder is exquisite. A highly skilled job to spin the fibre into a glorified fine yarn is meticulous. Mostly done by the women of Kashmir having the traditional skill of spinning the incredibly fine yarn. Therefore, done manually. Thus women play a very important role in spinning the yarn for weaving. It is a highly creative skill that exists only in Kashmir. 

Afterward, the yarn has loomed on the traditional wooden handloom for the next serene process of weaving. Kashmir handloom endeavors to sustain and infuse a modern soul into the woven, patterned, and embroidered Pashmina Shawls. The heritage confers to the skill of artisans as well as to the cleaners, dyers, and all other workers in the craft. The symphony of the craft entwines the culture presenting marvelous masterpieces. The opulence and glory cater to all the styles curated only in the lap of the Kashmir valley.

From the cradle of Paradise

We, at Pashmina.com, endorse the handcrafted Pashmina Shawls in unique varieties. Taken directly from the only lap of Pashmina craft, we confer to the purity and fineness with sustainability. Thus, the heritage, revived and preserved in every masterpiece is explicit. Moreover, defining the skill of artisans and the designs by the designers, we delicately cater all the styles over to the world. Also, taking the wearers towards the most authentic handcrafted Pashmina. The creation cherishes every dimension of opulence in the most meticulous way.

Also read: The Kashmiri Shawl | All You Need to Know

Scarves (Pashmina or other types) can always be the best thing to glam you up if your outfit is not enough to do so. It can even calm your looks, if you ever get overdressed for a not-so-demanding event. Pastel usually does this, while brighter shades enliven even the most basic and plain-looking apparel. And when wraps and scarves help us in so many ways, why not put it to more work. 

Is Pashmina the same?

The finest Cashmere wool is sourced from Ladakh and processed for months together to make Pashmina shawls. These shawls are extremely fine and gentle, and exceptionally beautiful. Pashmina shawls can bring life to even the most minimalistic look, and make the wearer a star in no time. Like it has been the first choice of royalty in ancient times, it is the same for celebrities nowadays. But owing to its delicate nature, we never believed that a Pashmina wrap could be styled in different ways. But surprisingly, it did. 

The Versatile Wrap

In the 16th century, when it was first discovered in Kashmir, Pashmina would either be plain or embroidered. Then came the Kani shawl which fascinated royalty more than the commoners. Pashmina shawls were then considered a valuable treasure, and as such were given as gifts by kings to each other. 

As times changed, the younger generation never liked to carry huge Kani shawls or heavy embroidered Jamawar Pashmina shawls, and hence their demand decreased. Pashmina makers thought of getting their hardworking pieces adapted to the new demand. Hence came wraps with animal prints, stripes, checks, laces, and more. This made Pashmina a versatile accessory, and women started experimenting more and more with it.

Also read: 7 Reasons Why Women Love Cashmere

Styling your shawl in different ways

For the women, who own just one or two Pashmina shawls, and cannot flaunt many styles, we have a list of different styles for them to check out. Gone are the days when Pashmina shawls were worn only over the shoulders. Now they can be styled in so many ways.

Ways to style a Pashmina

• Wear the Pashmina scarf like a tie. Bring both ends to the front and tie a large knot in the front. This style can be worn to formal meetings
• Another way is to drape the pashmina scarf over your shoulders and allow it to fall into the crease of your elbows. This is simply effortless
• Place the pashmina scarf around your shoulders. Place one end over the opposite shoulder and allow it to fall down the back of your body
• If your shawl is heavily embroidered or Kani, drape it down one shoulder or wrap your body into its regal essence. These shawls are art pieces and deserve more attention.
• Plain pashmina scarves can be placed around the neck in rounds so that no end is visible. This can be done when you are wearing a suit.

Also read: Must-Have Shawls For All Times

How to Wear Brooch with a scarf?

Experimenting has reached a level, where a Pashmina scarf is combined with fancy brooches, to make a look more powerful and feminine.

Considering the weight of the brooch is important with respect to the weight of your scarf. Cashmere is delicate. Hence a fine and delicate pin or brooch will work better than heavy ones, which would weigh the scarf down.

The idea of pinning your Pashmina scarf is to help secure it and keep it from coming undone. It's not just securing the scarf with clothes that we need brooches for. 

Let us look at some styles of wearing brooch with a scarf

How to Wear Brooch with a scarf

For a no-effort look, simply wrap the scarf twice around your neck and pin the ends together with a fancy brooch.

Another way is to place one-third of the shawl over the front of one of your shoulders, wrap the middle of the shawl behind you and to the front, then place the last part up behind the first placement and pin a brooch at the top of the shoulder where you placed the first part.

Fold the shawl to make it a square shape. Now place the square crosswise and bring two ends to the front. Pin the bottom corners together. Then bunch the stole up onto your shoulders if you want, but you can leave it unbundled too.

Make a cape out of your shawl. Fold the shawl in half lengthwise. Wrap it around your back. Finally, bring the ends around to the front, and pin the top 2 corners together with a stylish brooch. 

One more effortless style is to gather the shawl together to create a long tube. Place the middle of this tube-like scarf behind your neck. Pin the shawl together at the center of your chest. 

There are plenty of styles that you yourself can invent. Sometimes you might want to hide something in your dress, and the best thing would be to pin the scarf at the same point. Be classy, be bold and be confident. Style your Pashmina, however, your sophisticated fashion sense commands you to. 

Also read: What is so special about Pashmina shawls?

The diversity in the world has made every human different from others. There are diverse preferences in each sphere of life. Nature mingles with the world of fashion through Art. Therefore, to confer all the humans in one perspective. The exclusiveness with diversity remains evident in the Art of Pashmina. Cherishing each detail in every collection of Pashmina Art gives a sense of opulence. Pashmina Art has bestowed upon us the crafting of the finest Cashmere. Cashmere is wool taken from Goats from all around the world. The finest being the Ladakhi Cashmere. The versatility in the creation of Cashmere prefers to the arr of Pashmina. The rich and premium adornment of every style creates a sense of opulence. The world of Fashion deserves a glimpse of Pashmina Art. The western world looks upon the exquisite Pashmina through the eyes of glory.

The dawn of Pashmina Art

Pashmina Art caters to the finest Cashmere from around the world. It is the Ladakhi Cashmere. Changthanghi plateaux is the high altitude region surfacing on one of its sides in the Ladakh region of India. The goats of the region, called the Changra Goats because they are of the Changra breed. Worldwide, there are several other breeds of Cashmere giving Goats. But the finest Cashmere, procured the Changra Goats is premium. They are also called Kashmir goats. They survive the harsh cold weather of Changthanghi that plunges to more than -20° C. These goats are of the rare breed with medium bodies and large twisted horns. Also, ainly raised for Cashmere production and meat production.

The Changra goats develop thick, soft wool in the winter season to attain warmth. Thus, herded by the Changpa tribe of the region. On coming to summers, the goats naturally shed off the thick wool with rocks and trees around. In addition, the Changpa herders manually comb out the soft wool. Soft wool is the finest cashmere wool. The tufts of wool after combing out are packed in small packets. Therefore transferred to the valley of Kashmir where the Art of Pashmina belongs.

Spinning and Weaving- In the valley of Kashmir

The tufts of Cashmere are cleaned and soaked in the valley. Thereupon, dried to make them fuller. Afterward, the Cashmere wool is spun on the wooden wheel called yinder in the local language. The spinning process is mostly the skill of women folk of the valley. Men also take part. The spinning process takes place mostly in the houses where women spun the yarn and do the daily house chores at the same time. The skill of women is evident in every yarn of Cashmere. The yarn, taken to the local factories is finest. The menfolk move the miraculous yarn to the next meticulous step.

The yarn, woven diligently on the handloom made of forest wood is finest.The handlooms are intricately designed so that the weaves and inter-weaves are well defined. The meticulous weaving with the skill of artisans, predefined by the winds of Kashmir valley is intricate. The designs, patterns take the motifs and indulge in every inch of Cashmere. Cashmere takes different styles and patterns to exist in the world of fashion.

Also read: The Art of Weaving a Pashmina shawl

Pashmina Art- The abundance of styles

There is a wide range of collections in Pashmina Art. From Cashmere Scarves, Cashmere Wraps to Pashmina Shawls, the serene art unfolds the uniqueness of the luxurious fashion. Diverse styles include the exclusive Cashmere Scarves, Cashmere Wraps and Pashmina Shawls. The essence and the functionality of each style confer to the wearer in their appearance. Also, the contemporary styles cherish the presence of every wearer by gleaming the name of elegance. In addition, Cashmere scarves confer to the premium fashion of high quality in creation. The trends around the world confer to the Cashmere scarves as the opulence scatters to all horizons of fashion. The fashion world brings several virtues to present quality opulence. Thus, defining the integrity of fashion vividly.

Cashmere Wraps deliver words of exclusiveness and elegance. They are profuse in the luxury of premium creation with high-quality Ladakhi Cashmere. In addition, the opulence of the high-quality Cashmere, preferred by all the exquisite styles of fashion is premium. Also, Cashmere Wraps caters to both men and women. From the contemporary style to the royalty, Cashmere Wraps have proved their essence among all generations. Diligently woven in the nature of Kashmir valley, with the motifs and patterns of heritage, Cashmere wraps confer premium quality Luxurious fashion.

The world-class Pashmina Shawls have got a variety of designs and patterns. The luxurious creation of Pashmina Shawls confers to the intricacy and traditional handicrafts of the valley of Kashmir. With opulence on each edge of the Shawl, the styles harmonize the ways of luxury. In addition, the mesmerizing designs and patterns cater to all generations of all genders. Pashmina Shawls for men confer to the fashion of all the menfolk. Thus, providing the world with the confidence of luxury. Likewise, the womenfolk cherish every masterpiece with their presence in beauty and vogue. The diverse styles in Pashmina Shawls well define the premium art of Pashmina.

Surround the shoulders with exquisite collection

We, at pashmina.com, gather the whole fineness of Cashmere from the goats of Changra. Thereby, creating different styles and accessories from the finest Cashmere by the art of Pashmina. Also, every single procedure of Art happens in the valley itself in order to revive and preserve nature. Hence, ethically produced by Pashmina Art with the support of artisans of the valley. The livelihood of artisans supported to the peak is evident. Also, the Pashmina Art is revived in its whole integrity. Among all the fashion styles, the exquisite collection of hand-crafted Cashmere Wraps, Cashmere Scarves, and Pashmina Shawls are premium. From the meticulous processes to the end, the luxury speaks the word of Pashmina in a louder tone.

Also read: Who found Pashmina shawls?