The extraordinarily soft and plush fabric that is used in luxury garments today is none other than Cashmere. It is luxury wool that comes from a rare species of goats, which grow this fine wool as a downfibre. The finished products made out of this downy wool type are luxurious and expensive. Hence one needs to take care of it and follow a lot of precautions while wearing, washing, and storing it.
A lot of questions regarding the maintenance of this opulent fabric have surfaced. Many of these are related to piling. But does Cashmere pill? With so many fake and blended varieties of Cashmere in the market, we had to uncover a lot of sources and find for ourselves if it is Pure Cashmere that is prone to pilling or an imitation of the same.
Colloquially known as bobbling, pilling refers to the formation of small fuzzy balls on the surface of a fabric and gives it a rugged, worn-out appearance. These are also known as lint balls, and their formation is quite annoying for the wearer. Pilling is usually caused due to rubbing the material with itself or other surfaces. Usually apparel pills at armpits, elbows, and the areas where there is regular friction. When short fibers on the surface twist around themselves, it creates lint. This phenomenon is considered inevitable as the presence of short fibres is always found on wool and its variants. Hence, when customers ask "Does Cashmere pill", it is quite valid.
Does Cashmere Pill?
Sadly Yes. Cashmere does pill, no matter how much you try it shouldn't. Even if there are blended fabrics that contain a small percentage of Cashmere, will pill. It is a myth that designer Cashmere or too expensive ones will not pill. Unfortunately, every type of Cashmere will pill.
There is however a difference between other Cashmere weaves and a tighter weave. Tightly woven products pill less as compared to loose weave products. But again, it is almost impossible to differentiate between the two.
A number of reason which cause Cashmere to pill are stated below.
Does Cashmere Pill if you wear it wrong?
Knowing how this sweater or Cashmere wrap got huge pilling can be solved by knowing how it was worn. If you wear your Cashmere roughly, even the most high-quality and expensive ones will pill. Even if you wear your Cashmere garments carefully, pilling will still take place. In case it's a sweater your cuffs, neckline, beneath the arms are sure to pill. If it's a wrap, it will pill on the areas where the surface rubs with its own self.
Does Cashmere Pill due to environmental factors
We would wear Cashmere sweaters and wrap to the areas where rain and snow occur. But it's heavenly warmth makes us do so. As such it might be a victim to pilling. Cashmere the weakest when it is wet. If any form of precipitation touches this precious fabric, or you spill a drink over its surface, the area would lose its shape. This causes breakage which in turn causes pilling.
It's not only the outdoor factors that cause Cashmere to pill. Even at home, the way you store your it always plays a huge role in it pilling or not. It is friction that causes Cashmere to pill. And even during storage, your Cashmere is not immune to pilling. Proper Storage is essential for fine and pure fabric. Each layer has to be prevented to touch the other when you fold Cashmere for storage. Using tissue papers between folds is a good idea. Tissue paper can even soak the body oils which might be attached to the product, and prevent it from touching the other layer, thus saving our hugely invested garment or accessory.
Again, you should never pile Cashmere products over each other, This causes stress in the fibre, and the result is piling which shows up when you wear it the next season.
Now that we know how to be careful in the future about Cashmere care, it is time to know what to do if your Cashmere has already been a victim to these tiny balls of fibre.
Using sweater combs
The most common and easy form of de-pilling Cashmere is the use of tiny toothed combs. Simply lay the product flat on the ground and use downward strokes to comb off the fuzzy balls from the surface
Using Fabric Shavers
Electric shavers which have been designed to remove tiny knobs from wool and other kinds of fabrics prone to pilling are the best to use for de-pilling Cashmere. Do not use the common shaver which you use in the shower. It might prove harmful to the base.
Lint Roller
Lint rollers are yet another invention to pull out fuzzy lint caused due to friction of the fabric. Electric lint rollers gently remove pilling and make the surface smoother.
Brushes or lint stone
Be it brushes or a lint stone, both perform similarly. Lint stone has a pock-marked surface which when rubbed against the Cashmere base tends to pull out fuzzballs. Similarly, Cashmere garment brushed work in the same way. Just lay your garment flat, and brush it downwards. Be gentle though.
Scissors
If the pilling area is less, then using scissors is the most convenient and easy method. Simply hold the surface tight, and clip off the fuzzballs one by one. This method doesn't work if the area to be de-pilled is large.
Tips to prevent fuzz balls from forming over Cashmere in the future
Do not wash Cashmere with every single use. Wash it once every year. However, if you wear it quite often, still wash it after 2 to 4 wears. Everyday washing will cause more friction between the layers and cause pilling as a result.
Never wring or scrub the fabric. If your wrap is stained and you need spot cleaning, just pour some Cashmere shampoo on the stain and gently rub it with your finger. Do not be harsh with Cashmere. Remember the fibre diameter is just 12 -16 microns.
Do not stack Cashmere garments one over the other. But do not reserve one whole shelf for them either. Instead, be careful with its storage. Instead, fold acid-free tissue paper between the layers if you plan to store it for longer seasons. Even for regular users, use tissue paper between the layers. This paper needs not be replaced every season and can be repeated a few times.
In the 16th century, the great Saint Mir Syed Ali Hamdani visited Kashmir, along with a team of skillful craftsmen. He trained the locals in many crafts such as Paper Mache, carpet weaving, wood carving, and more. But the one thing that most people chose was indeed remarkable. This craft was the one that swaggered in the world of art. It was the making of Pashmina shawls. Pashmina was and is the art of handcrafting luxury shawls from Cashmere wool. What is Cashmere? And how was it discovered? We demystify.
The word Cashmere is an anglicization of the word Kashmir. When Europeans heard about a super soft, fine, and exceptionally warm variety of wool, which had been discovered in Kashmir, they visited the valley to see it for themselves. The heavenly soft and fine wool caught their attention at once, and they called it Cashmere (since they couldn't pronounce Kashmir in the local accent).
Cashmere is a variety of wool that is obtained from Pashmina goats found in Ladakh. This fine, delicate, and lightweight wool type is used to make luxury textiles for centuries now. The best and the most famous use of Cashmere is the making of Kashmiri Pashmina shawl which crossed all boundaries of the world to be owned by royal families in Europe, Asia, Australia, and America. The reason was the softness, smoothness, and finesse of this fiber which was one-fourth of the human hair in diameter. It began to be used as shawls, apparel, and upholstery items for the royals and their courts.
90% of the total produce of Cashmere comes from China and Mongolia. Iran, Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Turkey and Kashmir produce the rest of the 10%. The best quality and the finest Cashmere comes from Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir. It is used to make the world famous Kashmiri Pashmina shawls
The nomadic tribal population which resides in the Ladakh, in the Changthang region rears a special rare goat species. The Capra Hircus also knows as Pashmina/Cashmere goat grows a fine fleece over its body over its underbelly, behind its ears, and over its neck. This wool is Cashmere. It keeps the goat warm and comfortable during the harsh winter that the region experiences. Raw wool is combed off the body of the Pashmina goat and is thoroughly processed to get rid of impurities and the guard hair. Guard hair needs to be separated for 100% pure Cashmere fibre. Dehaired Cashmere is later processed again, converted to yarn, and later to textile, apparel, or wrap accessories
How is Cashmere collected?
Cashmere wool is collected during mid-spring when goats tend to shed it naturally. It starts from March end to May. During this time, hormonal changes in the animal as well as the intense heat of the altitudes force it to shed the wool. Now the goat rubs itself with rough surfaces to get rid of some portion of this warm fleece. Besides, it is the summer season now, and warm fleece has started to make the animal uneasy.
The Chandthang goats in the snow-capped Ladakh
This is noted by its herders who call for professional help. The animal is ethically treated and wool is combed off its body with specialized tools and combs by these professionals. Note that the wool is not sheared off its body, but gently combed off. When the entire wool is collected, it is sorted as per finesse. The goats now roam free. Pure Cashmere is later separated from guard hair and processed further.
Processing of the fine wool
Raw Cashmere wool is sent to Kashmir for further processing where women again clean it. They check for any foreign material or guard hair and send it for spinning only when they are sure about the purity of the wool. Pure wool is placed in a container filled with powdered rice for a few days. This makes the raw fibre more strong and more smooth. After the cleaning process, the wool is sent for spinning. Women spin the raw fibre on a wooden spinning wheel called 'yinder'. The spinning wheel helps to create long threads of Cashmere yarn out of the lump of cleaned wool. The threads are strung together and sent to the factory where large wooden handlooms await
Weaving of Cashmere into a Pashmina shawl over a traditional handloom
Handloom is used to weave Cashmere yarn and produce fabric. The handloom too is made of wood and is more traditional, than modern, and more manual than mechanical. Manual work is done by 2 to 3 men. As soon as threads of raw wool arrive, they are mounted on the loom heddles and two or more workers start with weaving it. One wrap of 100 cm breadth and 200 cm length is done in three to four days, and this is the world-famous Pashmina shawl. It is sent for finishing, embroidery, washing, and ironing, and hence the entire shawl gets ready from early summer to starting winter. It is late September when the sale of these Pashmina starts.
Embroidering a Pashmina shawl
A Kashmiri Artisan hand embroidering a Jamawar Pashmina Shawl
Embroidery artisans are a different group of craftsmen, who work in an exceptionally meticulous fashion. Embroidery to be done on a Pashmina shawl takes a few months to years together, depending upon the design and quantity. Jamawar shawls usually take 3 to 4 years, while a Kani Jamawar might even take 5 years to complete. For this reason, Kashmiri Pashmina shawls are considered the best, and higher on the price scale. It is pure manual labour, which goes into making every single piece. From start to end, there is no mechanical help from any sort of machine, and hence the end result is pure and magical.
When the popularity of Cashmere rose to its zenith in the 19th century, many fraudulent traders started making cheap copies. This led to a downfall in the making of pure Cashmere wraps as cheap copies were sold for less. Hence customers got lured to them. No foreign strengthening material would be used in it. After the advent of power looms, Cashmere wool would be mixed with strengthening nylon or silk to make it eligible for the wear and tear of the machine. The scarves, hence, would be an amalgam of a number of materials and not pure. 100% Cashmere scarf is 100% pure scarf, which is handmade and there is no interference of machine.
Is this luxury wool from Kashmir?
Cashmere production is the largest in China, which is followed by Mongolia. But the quality of Cashmere coming from these areas is nowhere close to the Cashmere from Kashmir. Kashmiri Cashmere is rare, finest, and hence expensive than the others. One Pashmina goat of Ladakh produced around 150 grams of this wool per year, and hence it takes 3 to 4 goats to make a Pashmina shawl. The Changthang area and its atmospheric conditions are ideal for Cashmere growth. It is said that if the goat is shifted to an area just some kilometres away from Changthang, it wouldn't grow Cashmere as fine as it grows the same in Changthang. The perfect conditions for the growth of exceptionally smooth, fine, and warm wool is the area itself.
The History of Cashmere
Cashmere has a long history when it comes to its discovery and usage. It is today is produced in a number of parts of the world, especially those where the mighty Himalayas lie. But this hasn't always been the case. Pashm, the term used for Cashmere wool which literally means soft gold, has been in use since the 15th century in Kashmir. It was the then King Zain ul Abideen, who ordered starting a number of manufacturing units for Cashmere, and assisted these by bringing craftsmen from Persia.
A Muslim shawl-making family shown in Cashmere shawl manufactory, 1867, chromolith., William Simpson.
What actually happened is that the famous 14th century Sufi Saint by the name of Mir Syed Ali Hamdani discovered this supremely soft and luxurious wool in Ladakh. As he found it to be perfect, he ordered socks to be made out of it. When the socks were complete, he gave them as a gift to Zain ul Abideen, who ruled Kashmir back then. The king was so delighted and impressed with the high quality and softness of the socks that he immediately ordered its processing to be done in Kashmir. Around 700 craftsmen came from Persia and trained local Kashmiris in processing Cashmere. Spinning, weaving, and embroidering were taught to locals, and ever since, families depended on these crafts for a living. This was the start of Cashmere manufacturing in Kashmir, which later spread all over the world.
Trading Cashmere
When Europeans came to know about Cashmere, they at once ordered some pieces to be traded between the nations. Raw Cashmere would be imported from Kashmir, and was first used by France to create copies of Pashmina shawls. French Cashmere shawls were differently patterned as compared to Kashmiri shawls. Pashmina shawls arrived first in Paris, and instantly became the most sought after, and expensive, status symbol of the time. Cashmere was purchased by women from the wealthy upper classes, who would keep themselves comfortable pairing war Cashmere shawls with short-sleeved, high-waist dresses. But the highlight in the history was the obsession of Empress Josephine, first wife of Napoleon of France, who supposedly owned hundreds of Cashmere shawls
Cashmere produced in Scotland
In the 1800s, after Cashmere took over the fashion world in France, it started moving towards Scotland. In fact, the art industry in Scotland put prize money for the first person to produce Cashmere yarn in the country. Later, large production of Cashmere began in the country, especially in the town of Paisley. The town became a huge success in manufacturing Cashmere and a motif was named after it. Some believe that the motif was even invented by the Scottish craftsmen.
A shawl stands tall in the Metropolitan Museum. It is a European Cashmere shawl, which is an imitation of Kashmiri style. It has the Buta motif covering its borders, which some consider is the Paisley motif from Scotland.
Fragment of a Kashmiri Shawl from the late 18th century on display at Ashmolean Museum, University of Oxford
After some years, Europeans started manufacturing Cashmere blends. Manufacturers mixed pure Cashmere yarn with cotton, silk, or sheep's wool, and sold these at cheaper prices to be afforded by the common man. This was basically to cut Kashmiri Shawls from the market and promote their own product. While the actual patrons of pure still purchased shawls from India, due to them being authentic and of superior quality.
Reply to European Copies by Kashmir
When Europeans copied almost all styles manufactured in Kashmir, the local artisans replied by creating new and unique styles in the industry. They invented a new shawl which was made of patches sewn together. Another type of shawl was the AMLI shawl, which wasn't Pashmina but a simple cotton shawl. It had a cotton base, which was fully embroidered in colourful threads.
French craftsmen used a new kind of loom, called the Jacquard loom which automated the weaving process much. With the Jacquard loom, it was possible to weave complex patterns of flora, fauna, architecture more quickly and efficiently. Soon Scottish craftsmen used Jacquard loom and manufactured their own production. The introduction of new patterns of shawls in Kashmir, as well as Europe, made the shawl industry flourish like never before.
Decline of the shawl industry
Fashion doesn't remain for long. And that is what happened to all these Cashmere shawls. Women's preferences changed, and soon this mass production of shawls attained a low. Something similar happened to the Kashmiri Cashmere industry. Their first door closed when Europeans changed their preferences. Soon demand declined, and artisans went jobless. Locals, too, weren't interested in wearing Cashmere due to its high prices, and declining quality. Hence Cashmere began to be seen lesser and lesser, and the trend perished soon.
Revival of Cashmere in Kashmir
When some manufacturers gauged the flourishing of the Pashmina trade amongst Europeans, they started to malign it. The power loom was introduced, and now shawls were being woven over the power loom. To bear the strain of the machine, Cashmere was mixed with nylon, silk, or sheep wool, and the end product would thus be a blended Pashmina and not the pure one. But the sellers would sell it as pure Pashmina and take home the prices that one would pay for the purest shawls. Soon audiences realized they had been cheated when shawls weathered within a few years (pure Pashmina lasts for over 20 years) and stopped buying Cashmere shawls. They were of the opinion that the quality of Cashmere has diminished.
So many pairs of connoisseur hands come together in the making of a Pashmina shawl which looks nothing less than a marvel in itself
But soon, the real admirers of classic fashion came to rescue Pashmina as well as its makers. Pashmina.com is one of them. They gave people the knowledge, as well as offered purest Cashmere, made Pashmina shawls in their collections. Now audiences know the difference between machine-made shawls and handmade shawls. Pure Cashmere can only be processed manually, as it is delicate, and cannot bear the wear and tear of the power looms.
We being ardent admirers of Pure Cashmere shawls feel that such questions are really important to be asked. Because when you fully know what a treasure Cashmere is, you will definitely invest in one piece at least. Here are a few reasons to buy Cashmere Wraps:
Cashmere is one of the warmest fibers in the world. It has amazing insulating properties, and it is eight times warmer than sheep wool.
Cashmere shawls are versatile and have adapted to modern styles. You can have plain solid Cashmere shawls, striped and printed ones, and embroidered heavy keepsakes too. These are perfect for every occasion.
Cashmere is sustainable. It is a natural fiber, doesn't use any machines in its making, isn't cruel in its acquisition, and many other reasons that make it a responsible buy.
Cashmere is warm, yet lightweight. It is so light that one full shawl is around 300 grams (solid). This makes it an ideal accessory for working women, as they would never want to wear an uncomfortably heavy wrap at the workplace
Cashmere shawls make ideal gifts for even those who have everything. These are souvenirs from the past, and hence make a beautiful gift for those who mean a lot to you.
Cashmere shawls are unisex. These can be worn by men too and carry a dapper look. Men's shawls are just a bit longer and wider, but stoles are almost the same measurement as women's are
Cashmere shawls bind you to your traditions. You are connected to your roots, and gradually discover how beautiful traditions are
We love Cashmere
For the solid pieces worn to offices, to animal prints for casual days off, from striped scarves for client meetings, to reversibles for semi-formal functions, from embroidered shawls for a best friend's wedding, to a Kani Jamawar when you are the bride, Cashmere is the ultimate luxury you can have. From the mighty Himalayas to your wardrobes, this treasure goes through hundreds of hands, who pour their love and best wishes into each fibre that encompasses a luxury shawl. About 10 to 12 households survive because of one shawl you wear, that's how treasured it is. Not only its warmth and softness make it special, but how it contributes to society makes it irresistible.
We are totally in love with Cashmere. Are you yet?
If there is any product in the world that makes one nostalgic about Kashmir valley, it is pure Cashmere. Cashmere comes from the mighty ranges of Kashmir. Changthang, a region in Ladakh, is an all-natural ecosystem. Here, perhaps nothing man-made is seen on the first looks of it. Snow-clad mountains, fresh air, arid regions, and plains dry and dirty. Yet nature has blessed this concealed part of the world with a treasure that no developed region in the world can produce; artificially or naturally. It is the gift of Cashmere.
What is Cashmere?
Cashmere is a variety of wool that is obtained from Pashmina goats found in Ladakh. Pashmina goats, also known as Changthangi goats, grow fine, soft, and extremely warm fleece on their bodies. This helps to survive the exceptionally harsh temperature that the region experiences. The fine wool is ethically acquired from the goats and used to make luxury textiles for centuries now. The best and the most famous use of Cashmere is the making of the Kashmiri Pashmina shawl. It is the same shawl that crossed all boundaries of the world to be owned by royal families in Europe, Asia, Australia, and America. The reason was the softness, smoothness, and finesse of the Cashmere fiber which was 1/4th of the human hair in diameter. It began to be used as shawls, apparel, and upholstery items for the royals and their courts.
The most famous use of a Pashmina shawl is its ownership.
by Empress Josephine. When her husband Napoleon came back from a war, he discovered the royal wraps on his way back. He decided to give one to his wife (a Kani Pashmina shawl) as a gift, and she was absolutely fascinated by it. Later it is believed that she ordered a few hundred Kani shawls for herself and her royal acquaintances. All of them were equally pleased and delighted with its utmost finesse, grace, and comfortable feel.
Cashmere wool is obtained from Ladakh. The nomadic tribal population which resides here in the Changthang region rears a special and rare goat species. The Capra Hircus, also known as Pashmina/Cashmere goat, grows a fine fleece over the sensitive parts of its body. It includes the goat's underbelly, neck and the back of its ears, etc. This wool is Cashmere, but it is still to be processed and sorted as it is right now mingled with thick guard hair. Guard hair needs to be separated for 100% pure Cashmere fibre. Dehaired Cashmere is ready to be further processed, converted to yarn, and later to textile, apparel, or wrap accessories.
The Ladakhi Cashmere Goat
Cashmere is special, to us as well as the goats. The Changthang region witnesses temperatures as low as -40 degrees. The area is isolated and harsh enough to not provide any kind of relief from such cold. Humans live together in small tent-like structures, leaving the goats all alone in the freezing cold. But as they say, nature has its own way to balance things. Cashmere wool growing on the goats is so warm, and they hardly require any other shelter from the cold. It keeps them warm all winter long until their moulting season arrives and they decide to shed this coat naturally.
How is Cashmere obtained?
Cashmere wool is collected during mid-spring when goats tend to shed it naturally. It starts from March end to May. During this time, hormonal changes in the animal force it to shed the wool, and the goat rubs its body with rough surfaces to get rid of some portion of this warm fleece. As such Cashmere remains are found on rough stones, thorny bushes, the floor of their sheds, rough walls, and other nearby areas where the goat has rubbed itself. Herders call for professional help, and specialists arrive with tools, and combs, and other required equipment.
The goat being domestic and well acquainted with the procedure surrenders peacefully to the specialists, and the combing process starts. First, the larger parts like the belly and back are covered and then the smaller areas are combed. The hair, still full of dirt, dust, and foreign material is packed in small pouches which the professionals carry along. It is sent for cleaning.
Raw Cashmere wool is sent to Kashmir for further processing where women again clean it. They check for any waste material like vegetable waste, grass, dirt particles, or guard hair and send it for spinning only when they are sure about the purity of the wool. This process takes a few days as perfection is required.
After the cleaning process, Cashmere wool is sent for spinning. This is done by underprivileged womenfolk of the valley who come together from remote areas and work together. Women also have the option to work from their homes and bring their finished material to the required places. For this reason, the art of Cashmere making (Pashmina) has been nearly worshipped by locals, as it has been the source of income for women many centuries ago.
Spinning and Weaving
Women spin Cashmere on a wooden spinning wheel called 'yinder'. The spinning wheel helps to create long threads of Cashmere yarn out of the lump of cleaned wool. The threads are so fine that one can barely see them from a distance. The diameter of these threads is 12 to 16 microns, and are so gentle that they can be broken by a slight moment of the hand. Pashmina threads are now strung together and sent to the factory where large wooden handlooms await. Handlooms are maintained and worked upon by men, as these need extra strength as well as a large space which isn’t possible to create at home
A Kashmiri artisan at work
Handloom is used to weave Cashmere yarn and produce fabric. The handloom too is made of wood and is more traditional, than modern. Hence more work is done manually on it. As soon as threads of Cashmere arrive, they are mounted on the loom heddles and two or more workers start with weaving it. One wrap of 100 cm breadth and 200 cm length is done in three to four days, and this is the world-famous Pashmina shawl. It is sent for finishing, embroidery, washing, and ironing, and hence the entire shawl gets ready from early summer to starting winter. It is late September when the sale of these Pashmina starts.
The demand for these luxury pieces is always the same. Not just locally, but international sales, too, surge when the season of Pashmina shawls starts. Orders start coming from as far as Europe, and sellers make sure to spread the love of local artisans to the entire world.
Embroidery and Finishing
Solid pieces are ready yet unfinished. These are taken to another group of artisans who give finishing touches to it. These processes include removing extra fibres from the shawl which get attached to it during the weaving process. Cutting of fringes, washing, and ironing the shawl are other practices that are carried out for a better look of the entire shawl.
Handwoven over traditional wooden handloom, the shawl features the unique Kashmiri Paper Mache embroidery which bequeaths a shower of paisleys over the lavish Cashmere base
After the solid shawl is ready it is sent for embroidery. A set of artisans, specialists in their work, start embroidering the shawl in a number of patterns and types. A Cashmere shawl takes three main types of embroidery.
Sozni Kari
A fine thread and needle work, which is done all over the shawl, or just its borders. Sozni Kari is the most used embroidery style for Cashmere shawls and scarves. The reason behind the popularity of Sozni is its lightweight and fineness that the delicate Cashmere base can hold. Sozni embroidery artisans make sure to embroider such patterns that do not feel heavy for the fine base underneath. As such Jaalidaar, Jamawar. Botadaar, and Dordaar patterns are the most widely used patterns.
Papier Mache embroidery
A thicker version of Sozni Kari which can be done anywhere in the shawl, including covering the entire base. Shawls, covered in this embroidery, look magically beautiful as the thick and colourful embroidery threads look dazzling over pastel bases of the Cashmere fabric. Papier Mache Shawls are the ones which are at times used as a last piece of wrap for a bride, which she wraps over her head before stepping out of her maternal home.
Tilla Dozi
Tilla Dozi is the royal embroidery pattern which uses metallic threads dipped in real gold or silver to create exquisite patterns over a Cashmere base. It is usually done on the borders of the shawl as the metal thread might pierce through the fine base. Tilla Dozi has been Mughal favourite ever since its inception. Mughal rulers in India used to embellish their furnishings too with Tilla to make it look regal and posh.
After embroidery, the shawl is washed again, sun dried, and ironed. This a final masterpiece is ready to adorn the shoulders of those who have a royal taste of accessorizing.
When the popularity of Cashmere rose to its zenith in the 19th century, many fraudulent traders started making cheap copies. This led to a downfall in the making of pure Cashmere wraps as cheap copies were sold for less. Hence customers got lured toward them.
An earthy aroma of the picturesque winter landscapes of the Paradisaical Kashmir valley is caught in the fine weaves of this luxurious Cashmere wrap
After the advent of power looms, Cashmere wool would be mixed with strengthening nylon or silk to make it eligible for the wear and tear of the machine. The scarves, hence, would be an amalgam of a number of materials and not pure. 100 Cashmere scarf is a 100% pure Cashmere scarf, which is handmade and there is no interference from the machine.
Is Cashmere worth buying?
With a heavy price tag and a single season use mostly, people often ask “Is it worth buying Cashmere, or are we just wasting hard-earned money”? Well, we would suggest buying a Cashmere wrap, because you will be shopping for winter anyway. There are a lot of reasons for that.
Cashmere is rare
Cashmere comes from the Changthangi goat which is a rare species. Some goats producing Cashmere are found in other parts of India and China as well, but Cashmere sourced from this particular goat is the best in finesse and warmth. Again, it takes a wool of 3 to 4 goats to prepare one pashmina shawl, hence adding more its rarity and exclusivity factor.
The highest quality Cashmere is found in Ladakh. This makes Ladakhi Cashmere rare and worth buying.
Just a few goats, which are the healthiest, are chosen for Cashmere production, adding more to the rarity factor. Rarity and exclusivity makes Cashmere a luxury product that everyone deserves to experience at least one in their life.
One goat produces just 150 grams of wool as an average. This makes it even more exclusive.
The demand for Cashmere is always higher than its supply. This creates a sense of competition amongst buyers making Cashmere one of the most exceptional and unique.
Versatility and Luxury
Cashmere is versatile enough to be worn to your office, a formal lunch with a client, a night out with friends, and attending your child’s school functions. That is because it is lightweight, elegant, and comfortably warm. It has insulating properties, which makes it 8 times warmer than sheep wool, yet extremely breathable and fine. Being unsurpassable soft, and beautiful, this piece well deserves a higher price than its counterparts.
Cashmere is considered synonymous to luxury. When it comes to Kani Cashmere scarves or Kashmiri Do Rukha Pashmina Shawls, one feels like wearing a piece of art.
The best quality, handmade Cashmere shawls take years to complete. The final product is just marvellous. This makes it a luxury to own, and a number of women claim to save for months together to own this luxury for once in their lifetime.
The versatility of Cashmere shawls is unbelievable. These can be used as shawls, as usual, to keep one warm. Other than that Cashmere scarves have been worn as capes, tied to the wearer’s handbag as a bag accessory, used as throws if large in size and even used as baby blankets when temperature dips.
One can wear Cashmere scarves with ethnic as well as western apparel, given the myriads of patterns it has introduced. Usually, embroidered and Kani wraps are preferred for ethnic outfits while as prints, patterns, swarovski embellished and the like patterns are chosen for western outfits.
Cashmere is timeless
Pure Cashmere, when taken proper care of, lasts for an entire lifetime. For this reason, mothers in Kashmir, give their own Pashmina shawls as gifts to their newlywed daughters as tokens of good luck. And the pieces are sometimes 30 years old. This definitely contributes to the slow fashion drive, which in turn leads to sustainability and betterment of th environment.
The timelessness of Cashmere is evident from the fact that since its inception in the 15th century, its demand hasn't dropped a bit. Empress Josephine wore it with the same vigour as will a woman today.
It is absolutely worth buying Cashmere, and we can make it out from the fact that since the 15th century, there has been no changes to the patterns or designs when it comes to embroideries, but still women adore it as much as they did back then
As many patterns as several dynasties introduced in the making of Cashmere wraps or apparel, none has been lost. Every embroidery pattern, every modern tryst, every new design has been saved. For this reason, the realm of Cashmere making kept expanding, and everyone could find a piece for himself, as if customised. This kept Cashmere in demand continuously
Manual Labour
No stage in processing Pure Cashmere includes mechanical processes. The sourcing is manual, as combing is done to acquire Cashmere from the goat. Then cleaning as well as spinning is manually done by womenfolk. Later weaving, as well as embroidery, is done by men and women without the use of machines. Hence the final result is a product of hard work, meticulous efforts, and the immensely skillful tact that Kashmiri artisans are known to have. Cleaning and spinning take weeks, then weaving another 3 to 4 days, and embroidery takes a few months to a few years depending upon the type and amount of the same to be done.
It's an uphill climb to prepare large yet fine fabric from lumps of wool that are mixed with immense amounts of dirt and waste when it comes from Ladakh (or any other Cashmere producing region. Transforming those dirt filled sacks to luxury fabric is an art in itself. And Kashmiri artisans are masters of this art
At times, it takes 4 to 5 years to complete one Cashmere wrap. But never has an artisan complained about the long hauls they spend working on luxury Cashmere shawls. The makers love their work as much as the takers love to wear it.
If a Cashmere is not made from manual labour, but mechanically, it's truly a waste of an art form. Machines tend to ruin the delicate fibre of Cashmere and in order to retain the same, harsh chemicals are used. These chemicals shorten the life of Cashmere, which otherwise stays for a lifetime.
Sustainable
Cashmere from its acquisition to processing is all sustainable. There is no wastage of the fibre as it is long-lasting, there is no pollution caused because of zero involvement of machines. Besides, Pashmina shawl making is usually done by underprivileged artisans of the valley, and hence this is their only source of income. Therefore if we invest in Cashmere, we will indirectly be helping a household survive. Also, with regards to the sourcing of Cashmere, the process is completely ethical and no animal is harmed during the entire combing process.
The world of today craves for sustainability. With machines all around causing more harm than good to the planet, something natural is considered out of the ordinary. In these times, Cashmere is something that has a sustainable base. It comes from manual labour and ethical acquisition.
Sustainability adds to the versatility of Cashmere wraps and shawls. On one hand, it is adored by women who do not care about ethical shopping or responsible buying, and buy Cashmere just for its grace and warmth. On the other hand, careful shoppers and responsible individuals, too, opt for ethically sourced Cashmere, where animal cruelty is nil, labour is manual and employees are treated and paid well.
A gift for those who have everything
We all have a certain friend, colleague, or relative who has almost everything in life. From designer clothes to accessories, they own it all. The problem is when it is their wedding day, or birthday, it is really hard to give them a gift. This is again when Cashmere will help. Kani Pashmina shawl of Kashmir, which takes around 3 to 4 years to complete can be a good gift choice for these extravagance lovers. You can even give them a plain solid black scarf, or a lightly embroidered stole, and delight them with its traditional grace.
Wool from the goat is collected in late Spring to the start of the summer season, as the sale has to start in winter when Pashmina is required. Moulting is season-specific, and processing mills have to wait for an entire year to receive the raw material. Hence the limited production of Cashmere makes it more valuable.
A Pashmina shawl covered in large motifs with wide spaces to be filled with embroidery
This delay is in turn forwarded to customers, as they too have to wait for a few custom-made shawls to complete. Sometimes elaborate embroidery shawls take 4 to 5 years to complete. As soon as such pieces reach the market, they sell at a quick pace. Hence customers have to keep in mind this demand and be quick in their Cashmere wrap shopping
Rarity, exclusivity, finesse, beauty, and exceptional warmth make Pashmina shawls, and Cashmere wraps, scarves worth every penny spent for them. But the question remains of purity. Always buy pure Pashmina shawls. Ask the vendor for a certificate of purity or look for the GI tag. Make sure your investment is going for the right thing.
The grand display of draperies was already common in the Mughal courts. But it was travelers who gave it the current status. The making of Pashmina Shawl flourished under the patronage of the nobility. However, its reputation abroad too substantiated its importance all over India and the globe.
Sometime around 596-664 AD, the famous traveler Hiuen Tsang visited India. During this expedition, he wrote extensively on Indian costumes, mostly on the ones produced with goat hair. He spoke so richly of the shawl that the word spread like wildfire and gained momentum thereafter. Subsequently, during the fourteenth century, Ibn Batuta made his way to India from Arabia. For him, the Kashmir shawl served as a symbol of gift exchange. Especially between Emperor Shun of the Yuan dynasty and Mohammad Bin Tughlaq, the then Sultanate of Delhi. The Chinese ruler had sent across some expensive and embellished garments. But the Indian ruler sent cotton garments and a costume made of fine goat fleece. This sparked interest among others who came all the way to India in search of this ‘diamond fibre’.
A 1605 painting of Ibn Battuta
The coveted gift
The next important visitor was Francois Bernier, who was also Aurangzeb’s physician. He came to Kashmir sometime in 1655 and wrote a detailed account of shawl manufacturing. He spoke of two types of wool. Firstly the one procured from Tibetan goats and secondly from goats in Kashmir. Bernier also added about the presence of over a thousand looms that produce fine, soft shawls - Kashmir’s prized possession. The mass production of shawls was prevalent, but it also indicated its popularity. In fact, some believe that the Mughals were so much in awe of it that they formed the khi’lat, the robe of honour, which would be a gift for the ambassadors or royal people.
Love of Pashmina Shawls: From the Mughals to other nobility
During a royal ceremony in 1831, Mughal presented a young man with at least four or five dresses of honour. These were Pashmina robes. Obviously, the shawls allured him by the beauty and sheer opulence that the news of its quality spread all across. Apart from Kashmir, there were also other centres, including Patna, Agra, and Lahore. But everyone considered Kashmir the hub, especially for its fine quality of Pashmina shawls.
In 1783, a French traveler, Forster came to India. He believed that the wool came from Tibet and artisans from Tibet wove it with rich patterns. The floral shawl was undoubtedly way steeper than the regular ones. He considered it an important export item; so much so that he spoke in detail about its packaging and how it felt like. Following this, towards the end of the 18th century, artisans crafted Kashmir shawls in many sizes such as long, narrow, and square. Square shawls were more popular in the Indian market. Long and narrow shawls were mainly worn in the Northern Asiatic market.
Tales by Moorcroft
Moorcroft, one of the most popular travelers, came to India in the early 19th century. He spoke in detail about the shawl, both in Kashmir and Amritsar. He also observed that the red shawl yarn found in Amritsar came from Kashmir and this impressed him. However, Moorcroft was a little disappointed, since its export was banned to discourage the foreign manufacture of shawls. Moorcroft gives a full account of cleaning, spinning, dyeing, weaving as well as the techniques used. Note that this traveller well understood the labour that artisans give to create a single piece of Pashmina shawl.
William Moorcroft's plauqe in Shalimar Gardens, Lahore, where Moorcorft stayed in May 1820
Around the same time, even nobility from England and France visited the court of Maharaja Ranjeet Singh. There, they highly appreciated the Kashmir shawl. At this time, a British visitor, whom the courtsmen invited to the court, said the following:
“The floor was covered with rich shawl carpets and a gorgeous shawl canopy, embroidered with gold and precious stones and supported on golden pillars, covered three parts of the hall.”
In awe of the Pashmina
Madam Emily, sister of Governor-General Lord Auckland
Sir Henry Fane, who was the British Commander-in-Chief, was completely besotted with the dresses and jewels. He found these in one of the camps he stayed at in Kashmir. The camp was furnished and had shawls all around. Madam Emily, sister of Governor-General Lord Auckland, wrote beautifully of the court: “It reduces European magnificence to a very low pitch.”
Later, when Kashmir was handed over to Gulab Singh of Jammu in 1846, embroidery flourished at this point. Woven and embroidered shawls were in particular doing the rounds and being marketed for both the European and the far-East market. As a result, the English and French weavers started to imitate these designs.
The Value of Antiquity
It becomes important to understand the glorious history of the Kashmir shawl through archaeological and literary evidence. It was since those days a highly-valued item. The rulers and travelers who spoke richly of this shawl have largely contributed to the development of shawl making as well.
Till today, it whispers secrets of its antiquity that the world is fascinated with! In today’s contemporary world, the Kashmir shawls are reputed for their timeless nature and the classiness they possess. With a rich tradition that spans centuries, this fascinating textile art has captured the minds and hearts of people across the world. These are mostly patrons, who have an interest in art and antiquity.
While its value may be high, it is also lost in the market of imitation shawls. Fake shawls are doing the rounds everywhere, more than the original ones. Due to lack of knowledge and sometimes the affordability aspect, many buyers get sucked into this trap without realizing it.
In the last few decades, there has been a special interest triggered across classes in the antique Kashmiri shawls. These are considered a symbol of royalty & have shaken research scholars and art collectors in India as well as abroad. This is primarily due to its exotic nature that created a stir in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Though the term ‘shawl’ is commonly used, it is essential to understand its etymology. The word is derived from the Persian word shal, which translates into a fine woolen fabric, alternately called a drape. The Italian traveler Pietro Della Valle, in 1623, drew a comparison. The shal was worn as a girdle in Persia, while it was generally carried across the shoulders in India.
The shawl has a long history. Its existence can be traced to the medieval period. But there are archaeological findings & literary pieces of evidence that point towards its presence right from the Indus Valley Civilization.
It is believed that unstitched woolen wraps on the shoulders were already being used for warmth some 3500 years ago
Kashmiri Shawls - From the coffers of archaeology
We know goats & sheep are the sources of obtaining wool or fleece for making the most coveted products in the world. Although, there has been no woolen yarn that has been traced from excavations conducted in the sites of the Indus Valley Civilization. Yet there are some references that point toward Harappan culture. They show how Harappas were familiar with the use of wool in the same way as they were with cotton and silk yarn.
Little terracotta figurines of goat and sheep have been found from different Indus sites. These clearly indicate that these animals were reared and used for essentials such as meat, dairy products, and wool.
Interestingly, the excavation of dyeing areas in Harappa and Rakhigarhi points toward the intricacy of patterns on textiles. These motifs on utensils, pottery, and potsherds reflect Harappans' love for ornamentation and embellishment. Proof enough that a rich tradition of textiles existed during the Harappan period!
Apart from evidence in India, there have been traces found outside the country as well. These findings point toward the fact that Indian wool was much popular for its high quality between 300 and 400 A.D. It was in fact exported to other countries. The most significant specimens were found in parts of Syria and Egypt.
Palmyra in Syria was a major Roman outpost on the Silk Route and Antinoe was close to the great urban center of Alexandria. These fragments were all found to be made out of Indian wool. After doing in-depth research, it was found that they were crafted from a type of four-ended twills. The same was used to produce the famed shawls of Kashmir.
The specimen found at Antinoe replicated the three-end twills. Whilst the Palmyra one was even finer and denser with four-end twills. There is a Swedish textile authority that goes by the name of Ages Geijer. It pointed out that the woolen specimens from Palmyra appear to be of Syrian origin, while the wool seems to be sourced from Kashmir.
At the excavated site in Egypt, there were riding coats of oriental cut with patterned silk fabrics of Sassanian manufacture. This is said to be a significant discovery in the textile world in India. Looking at the fine material and pattern, it was assumed that these were imported readymade from the Sassanian Empire. The time period would be between 300 and 500 A.D. The primary material of these coats was a thin warp and a thick weft of soft and loosely spun Kashmir wool.
Apart from this, there are also references that hint towards these Kashmiri shawls being valued as gift items among the nobility. The Sassanian King Bahram I gifted one to the Roman Emperor Aurelian after the fall of Palmyra. This shows that high-quality Indian textiles were much in demand. And surprisingly the weaving pattern was in sync with the Kashmiri tradition.
During this period, the Sassanians had a great rapport with the Kushans. Kushans ruled the present-day Kashmir from the late 1st century BC to the 3rd century AD. This period was when trade flourished on the Silk Route between China and Rome. Some sources indicate that Kashmir wool, perhaps Pashmina, was among the Indian luxury goods that arrived in the Roman Empire.
Turning the pages of literature
As much as archaeological evidence exists about the Kashmiri shawl, there are Vedic texts as well as Buddhist, Jain, and other literature. All of them reflect a tradition of woolen textiles in India. Vedic literature speaks of the source of wool, its quality, quantity, and terminology used for wool or woolen fabrics. The Rig Veda and the Atharva Veda, often mention Avika or Avi, terms used for sheep during this period. The Atharva Veda also talks of Kambal, the generic term used for blankets and shawls.
Some interesting references are also found in the epics of Ramayana and Mahabharata. According to the Sabha Parva chapter in the Mahabharata, the Pandava King, Yudhishtir received several gifts from contemporary rulers. Out of the many items, the most valued were rankava woolen fabrics from the Sakas, who ruled Kashmir during that period. The Mahabharata also indicates that during this period, felts were made out of goat hair.
More Literature
Besides, the Jataka tales also speak of the kambal and rankavas and how they became more popular for dushala, chadar and other woollen fabrics. The literature of the Buddhist period also tells that these shawls were expensive. Sanskrit and Pali literature speak about rankavai as a term used for woolen goods, which was derived from ranku. Some identified it as the Himalayan ibex, while others believed it was the pashm goat, Capra hircus.
Jain literature, Nisithacurni, reiterates that shawls made of goat hair were used between the fifth and sixth century BC.
It becomes important to understand the glorious history of the Kashmiri shawl through archaeological and literary evidence since it was a highly valued item. The rulers and travelers who spoke richly of Kashmiri shawl have largely contributed to the development of shawl making as well. Till today, it whispers secrets of its antiquity that the world is fascinated with!
From runways to streets, if there’s one color that rules the roost, it is red. Flirtatious, attention-grabbing, and sensual, red is undoubtedly the most fashionable color. Incorporating bright colors, especially red, into your wardrobe is definitely no easy task. One of the best and easiest ways to add red to your wardrobe is by investing in a red Pashmina shawl. A color as bold as red has the power to take a plain outfit from blah to beautiful. A red Pashmina shawl can be your go-to accessory for instantly updating your daily look, be it an afternoon event or an evening soiree.
Here are a few fail-proof shortcuts to wear a red Pashmina shawl:
Play with color combinations
The Pashmina features a hot red base tone, which is embellished with a contrasting French Chantilly lace
If you’re wary of donning a power-red shade from head-to-toe, wear a red Pashmina shawl along with subtle outfits. For a minimalist look, go for outfits in muted colors and let your red Pashmina shawl shine bright. Red and white, and red and black are classic color combinations that are never going to let you down. A black dress and the red Pashmina shawl will make you effortlessly look party-ready. For a luncheon, pair the red Pashmina shawl with a crisp white shirt and a pair of denim jeans and you are good to go.
Dress in all red
Beauty in warm red, hand embroidered in Kashmiri Sozni Kari, which looks magical as it feels
You don’t have to wait for holidays to pull off a red-on-red ensemble. To celebrate the maximalist fashion trend, pair your red Pashmina shawl with a red dress and a red pair of stilettos. To get this look right, make sure the shades of red do not vary too much. If you find this look too bold, you can keep accessories like earrings, belts, and handbags black. The look is perfect for an evening party or a cocktail event
Why choose PASHM?
A red Pashmina shawl is a perfect choice for a date, a formal event, or a casual outing. But why should you buy a red Pashmina shawl from PASHM? Our Pashmina shawls are made from pure cashmere wool that is ethically obtained from the fleece of Changthangi goats that are found on the highlands of Ladakh. From sorting of the wool to embroidery, every aspect of the making of a Pashmina shawl is done by Kashmiri artisans who have learned this art from their forefathers. When you buy cashmere shawls from PASHM you end up supporting the glorious Kashmiri art and local artisans who put their hard work into these shawls
Will the red colour last?
A Kashmiri Pashmina, in all iridescence of rainbow shades
Each Pashmina shawl and stole is dyed by hand. This process of hand-dyeing requires years of practice, skill, and patience. As Pashm wool is highly absorbent, it dyes easily and deeply, making sure that it doesn’t fade for years to come
The timelessness of a pure Pashmina
Pashmina shawls are not a part of today's fast fashion. Pashmina shawls are a timeless piece of fashion accessories. When you buy a Pashmina shawl, you don’t just buy it for yourself, you buy it for generations. The fact that many families pass on Pashmina shawls from one generation to another bears testimony to the longevity of Pashmina shawls
The past few decades have witnessed an interest in the shawl. Earlier used just as a piece of wrap to protect oneself from the biting cold, today it is also about making a style statement. The word ‘shawl’ comes from the Indo-Persian word shal, which was basically a fine woolen fabric the women draped. In 1623, the Italian traveler Pietro Della Valle observed that while it was primarily worn as a girdle. But in India people draped it across the shoulders.
“The shawls are one of India’s best products. It is unique in that while it offers the intimacy of a warm garment, it leaves you free and unencumbered’.
~Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay
Although its origins trace back to the medieval period, archaeological findings and literary references suggest that the tradition of shawls in India existed right from the Indus Valley Civilization.
These shawls have a rich legacy and speak volumes about their past. And today there are wardrobe must-haves that notch up your style and reflect opulence. Worn during weddings in winter, it is a sight to behold when women turn up in the most stunning pieces in myriads of colours and exquisite embroidery. Besides, they are a great gift that blends both style and utility in the best manner.
1.
Pure Pashmina Shawls
The diamond weave lends a fluid drape & a soft touch, both of which are the main characteristics of a handwoven Pashmina
Nothing epitomizes the glorious history of Kashmiri craftsmanship as warmly and beautifully as the Pashmina. These shawls once spelled exclusivity and security for Kashmiri women. Some say that if they fell upon bad days, they cut up a shawl length of Pashmina and sold it to the shawl peddler for cash.
A legacy of the Mughals, the romance of Pashmina reached its zenith when it cast its spell over European royalty. The great Napolean Bonaparte found the shawl fit to adorn the shoulders of his beloved, Josephine.
2.
Kani Shawls
Handcrafted over years together, a Kani shawl weaving takes help from small wooden bobbins, which are penetrated into the weave of the shawl over a handloom to create artistic marvels out of plain shawls
In the cold days of Kashmir, the lives of a chosen few are spent in weaving a spell of warmth and colour. We are talking about the exquisite Kani shawl. This mostly happens in a quaint village of Kanihama. This exquisite shawl was once coveted by Mughal kings, Sikh maharajas, and British aristocrats. The Ain-i-Akbari records that Emperor Akbar was an avid collector of Kani shawls.
These shawls involve one of the most laborious techniques used in weaving. Numerous Kanis (little wooden stick used as spool) or shuttles rich coloured threads wound around them. Artisans move these Kanis around even in a single weft line. An intricately designed wrap may use as many as 50 Kanis with different coloured threads. These shawls may take several months to complete. The designs are codified on paper, known as talim, and sung out as two weavers work on a shawl together.
3.
Sozni Jamawar Shawls
The eclectic display of warm colours and shades, this shawl has been specially curated for those with a royal taste of luxury accessorizing
These beautiful Kashmiri shawls from the land of beauty loosely translate into a “robe to cover the body”. It comes from the word Jama meaning ‘robe’ and Var meaning ‘chest or body’. Artisans handweave Jamawar with the pashm fibre, with the brocaded parts woven in similar threads.
Most of the designs today feature floral motifs or paisleys and add a touch of elegance to the wearer. Historically, these Kashmiri shawls were a prized possession of the aristocrats. These men used to buy woven fabric by the yard and wear it as a shawl or wrap. Emperor Akbar was one of its most popular patrons.
4.
Tilla Shawls
Handcrafted impeccably out of pure Cashmere, the shawl is hand embroidered in Zari Kari which showcases India's proud possession of heritage architecture, especially in the Mughal era
Artisans craft the Tilla shawls from pure Cashmere wool, which comes from Ladakh, J&K. Tilla embroidery was once done using real gold and silver threads. During this time, only the royalty and influential nobles would afford it. But gradually, to make it more affordable to common masses, craftsmen chose metal threads. Workers coated plain metal threads with gold to embroider these luxury shawls.
Tilla embroidery is locally Tilla Dozi. Shawls laden with it are an essential part of a bride's wedding trousseau.
5.
Papier Mache Jamawar Shawls
Delicate, velvety soft and gossamer Cashmere has been handwoven in the realms of Pashmina to create a shawl whose exquisiteness is unparalleled
Perhaps the most alluring kind of Kashmiri shawl is the Papier Mache Jamawar Pashmina shawls. For these shawls, artisans usually choose a white base. Over the white base, embroiderers use colourful threads for embroidery. These specialists do it in such a way that thick strokes bedeck the plush base underneath. The final product looks nothing less than a live piece of art.
The name of the embroidery comes from the Papier Mache art, as both look similar in their artistic demeanour.
These Kashmiri shawls are all different from each other but stand apart due to their unique personality. Winter weddings are the best time to flaunt your collection and make heads turn with your fashion appeal and classy demeanour. Make sure you stock up on these by then!
A bridesmaid is someone who stands by the bride all through her most important day. We think she deserves something special. Hence we curated a list of bridesmaid Pashminas which she can wear to look as ethereal as the bride herself
Who doesn't love a winter wedding? Be it the one to attend or your own, winter weddings are as fun as spring or summer ones. Refreshing crisp air and the mellow sunshine, winter weddings can be a huge relief. Especially for the places whose summers are scorching.
A winter wedding can be bliss. Your carefully coiffed hair doesn't mess up. And your makeup does not fuse with sweat. The ambiance is so calm and romantic and everything around seems so fresh. You have higher chances of getting stunning wedding photos in a snowy background. A holiday-themed wedding day decoration is possible, and so much more.
But is it just a bed of roses? Is a winter wedding completely free of worries and stress? Isn't there a factor that is very basic to winter, the biggest worry to care about? Of course! It is cold. Winter wedding might be the best idea in many ways, except for the low temperature and the uncomfortable cold that engulfs all. On the other hand, one has to look their best. Be it the bride, her guests and friends, and the the MVP of the wedding - bridesmaid
How to dress up?
Even though winter is indeed the best season of the year to be a bride or bridesmaid, there are still some things you need to keep in mind before you choose the winter season.
The basic and foremost worry of a winter wedding is the choice of apparel. A bridesmaid will have to be enveloped from head to toe which might not leave you any choices for a beautiful dress. As a matter of fact, if you live at a place where winters mean anywhere around 20 degrees of temperature, you might need more layering. But who would love to wear a sweater over a formal dress? No one right? We have a backup plan.
Ever heard of the ‘Paradise on Earth’. Kashmir valley situated in the north of India is so beautiful and naturally scenic that it has secured for itself some lovely names like paradise, heaven, Venice of the east, and many more. The place experiences harsh winters and temperatures even dip to sub-zero levels.
Kashmir, a land of unimaginable beauty
It is in this part of the world where a luxurious fabric known as Pashmina was discovered in the 16th century by a traveler. It soon gained such popularity that the entire world cherished it and dreamed of having just one single shawl or wrap made of Pashmina. The main reasons for the love and admiration it earned were its lightweight, smooth touch and immense warmth it lent to its wearer.
Pashmina comes from the Capra Hircus goat which is found in the Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir. In order to protect itself from the harsh environment of the winters, the goat naturally grows an exceptionally warm and soft fleece over its throat and underbelly area. This fleece keeps it warm and comfortable in winters but too uneasy in summer. Hence the goat rubs itself with rough surfaces of shrubs and rocks and gets rid of this wool. This is collected by herders who free the goat of any leftover wool by gently combing its body. This wool is Pashmina.
Bridesmaids are the wonderful women who are chosen by the brides themselves to be with them all the time. Bridesmaids are all through the time of the wedding responsible for each task related to the bride. Even before all the main events, bridesmaids have to be super careful and should be able to manage everything that happens around.
Bridesmaids are the bride’s best friends or a close family member who they can trust the most. Hence, their role is the most significant throughout the planning and eventualizing the events. The main role of the bridesmaid is to assist the bride with her wedding duties and offer additional help to the bride as and when required. The list is endless, and there are so many responsibilities that make up for the entire bridal preparation.
Here is the list of a bridesmaid’s duties.
Everyone doesn't know about this, but a bridesmaid emotionally supports the bride throughout the wedding. The bride shouldnt be overwhelmed at any point in the wedding planning.
Assisting the bride and their maid of honour in getting the bride ready for every event.
Attending all the pre wedding functions like the bridal shower, engagement parties, rehearsal dinner and more.
Keeping a record of gifts received by the bride so that the next time she thanks them, she knows what to mention.
Stamp and prepare bridal shower cards or the wedding cards and work simultaneously with the maid of honour for the same.
Offering assistance in the making of accessories for either the events or for the bride herself. Making of decorations, place cards, wedding favour kits and more are a big engagement for the bridesmaids.
Purchasing her own dresses, accessories, jewellery and more. The bridesmaid has to look her best. The bridesmaid has to have her clothes well fitted, her shoes properly matched and jewellery to the point. She has to look the best version of herself.
Double checking the bride is a core responsibility of the bridesmaid. Is her dress properly pinned? Is her veil straight? Has she worn all of her accessories? A bridesmaid has to be vigilant about all these questions.
Decorating the settee of the bride, or decorating any place related to the event, too, is the responsibility of the bridesmaid. Be it the bridal shower, reception, the church events and other smaller events, the bridesmaid has to do it all.
Coordinating with the guests, vendors and any outsider upon whom the arrangements of the events are dependent.
Walking down the aisle and standing in the receiving line too is a core responsibility of the bridesmaid.
Managing the party themes. Interacting with guests, playing the theme music, encouraging interactions among guests who are yet to interact.
How busy are the days of the bridesmaid, and how important is she as a person during the wedding. Isn't it necessary to present her a gift that she can't forget all through her life?
Bridesmaid Pashmina
Why not? Pashmina has evolved to be such a versatile piece of accessory that we recommend brides, bridesmaids, and even the guests to carry a Pashmina shawl for a winter wedding.
Furthermore, Pashmina has recently embraced all patterns - modern or heritage. It has made itself a perfect accessory that is irresistible to not incorporate in your list of dresses that you chose to wear for your best friend's wedding
Colourful and vivid, the birds have been hand embroidered over the softest Cashmere base
If you like to wear matching accessories or contrasting ones, Pashmina comes in all colours now. Be a warm red, black, white, or pastels pinks and nudes, Pashmina features all colours, all shades, and ups your formal apparel a hundred notches. You can simply drape a Pashmina shawl over your dress and you are good to go.
Types of Pashmina for Bridesmaid
It's one of the most important days of your life. And you have to look the best version of yourself. That is the reason we curated some special types of bridesmaid Pashmina shawls for your big day. Here are some special ones from our collection
Solid Pashmina for Bridesmaid
Cashmere wraps woven in the diamond weave, add grace to the fabric and makes the solid colour more prominent and vibrant
The most basic yet classy shawls of our collection no doubt will be the solid Pashminas. The shawls are made of pure Pashmina and our collection features an overwhelming 55 colours. These types of shawls resonate with the classics of Pashmina shawl makings because Pashmina started with just solid ones. Your bridesmaid can pair up these beauties with the shade they like.
Solid Pashminas can pair with any dress and apparel type. Your bridesmaid does not have to care about matching or pairing of the Pashmina shawl or scarf as these are timeless accessories that pair with every type of outfits.
Ombre Pashmina for Bridesmaid
Ombre Pashminas - soaked in trending shades of rich colours
Original, 100% pure Pashmina yarn threads are mount over a traditional loom as warps and wefts in such an artistic pattern, that the resultant shawl comes out in an ombre pattern. It is the sheer skill and experience of Kashmiri weavers which can concoct such a dramatic piece of accessory without an effort! These shawls are colorful and swoon-worthy and your bridesmaid is definitely going to love them
An infusion of one colour into the other is going to make your bridesmaid delightfully surprised. Now she can pair it with outfits of two different colours and feel like a fashion diva.
Swarovski Studded Pashmina Shawls
Showered with rich Swarovski studs, the Pashmina wrap epitomizes simplicity
Swarovski Studs are small crystals that are attached by hand to plush Pashmina shawls to bestow a shimmery and modish look to them. A shawl with Swarovski studs looks like the night sky enlightened with stars. Gift this shawl to your bridesmaid and watch her overwhelmed with happiness
If your bridesmaid has star studded your wedding events, she needs a Pashmina shawl, studded with swarovski crystals. These shawls are handmade and take months together to get ready. These are the gifts that your bridesmaid deserves, as these are thoughtful and exceptionally exclusive.
Lace Pashmina Shawls for Bridesmaid
The French Chantilly lace, hand stitched on to the fleecy cashmere
Embellished with the world-famous French Chantilly lace, an assortment of feminine Pashmina shawls includes over 50 colors to go with her ensembles. The shawls feature the lace in all places and patterns which make any basic ensemble of your bridesmaid a more colorful and feminine one.
To make these laced shawls even more unique and swoon worthy, we have introduced laces not only on the borders, but also inside the body of these shawls. The laces are hand stitched with exceptional efforts of the craftsmen who put their soul into the making of these beauties. The French laces have been handpicked for the shawls because of their lightweight and graceful mien. You too handpick these pretty and elegant shawls for the woman who makes your wedding special for you.
If a bridesmaid has a choice to wear any warm fabric why should she invest in a bridesmaid Pashmina shawl? Well we can have a hundred reason, but the most important ones are as follows
Pashmina is lightweight. When you are already wearing a formal dress and jewelry, a light wrap will definitely be a win.
Pashmina has a huge choice (as already discussed above). Whether you like solids, patterns, prints or Swarovski crystals, bridesmaid Pashminas feature every bit of them, bridesmaid Pashminas feature every bit of them.
Pashmina shawl is timeless. It stays with you even after a lifetime of your wedding day, and never ever gets out of fashion
Your bridesmaid is special. She has managed all of your events and made your day perfect. She helped you create a thousand memories, and it wouldn't have been possible without her presence. Thank her with the most amazing gift of all times. A timeless Pashmina for her unmatched efforts of making your wedding day the best day of your life.
Concluding
Pashmina shawls are versatile. They can be used by bridesmaids on every occasion. Your bridesmaid might like an elaborately embroidered shawl for the bridal shower, a solid white shawl for the events in the church, a bright shaded one for the bachelorette party, and a laced one to bid you goodbye as you leave with your loved one.
The luxurious art of Pashmina (or Cashmere) is coveted by men and women alike. It adds a touch of exuberance and royalty to the wearer. No wonder, this is an ideal luxury gift for all seasons and occasions. And best part is that it never goes out of fashion. Cashmere shawls, stoles, and scarves are prized for their gentle texture, warmth, and superior comfort. Interestingly, it is said that the Cashmere product becomes softer after every wash feeling like a gentle wisp on your skin.
The diverse range of products we offer exude an air of elegance. These can brighten up your wardrobe with its myriad hues and exquisite designs. What’s more, these can serve up as versatile gifts for any occasion; weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, or just as a token of love!
We believe gifts are a form of expression and must last a lifetime. This is why our products propagate sustainable luxury gifting. Each of the pieces is painstakingly crafted by skilled artisans with the highest quality of Cashmere. So you know you’re in safe hands! Our collection caters to different tastes – there are traditional pieces, funky ombres, Swarovski-embellished as well as stunning stoles. To make a lasting impression, one can customize it as per their liking. Additionally, we’d have it shipped globally within no time!
Here's a lowdown on the gifts you can opt for.
Personalized and Customized: Luxury Gifting
We have a large palette of colours on offer, a 2600-strong Pantone chart, so whatever be the mood, there’s a bunch of vivid shades to brighten you up. The product is then luxuriously presented in a personalized box, which is not less than a collector’s item. Believe us, it is difficult to take your eyes away from it! What’s more? You can get traditional monograms with personalized details or even names hand-embroidered on these Cashmere products. Its time to express your affection for a loved one. These monograms are made by our craftsmen, who make sure these are as exquisite as the shawl or stole itself!
Personalized Cashmere for your loved one
What matters the most while choosing a product is authenticity and credibility. In a world populated with fake and machine-made Cashmere blends, it is difficult to trust sellers, especially in the online sphere. At Pashmina.com, what you see is what you get. Each of the products sold on our website undergoes a stringent quality assurance procedure. This is done by the Crafts Development Institute, Government of India. Every Cashmere product comes along with a lab test report. The report contains the product name, visual, micron count, make of the product as well the procedure to test the fibre.
If you are a corporate, it isn’t really a rare scenario where you present gifts to your clients. In fact, these gifts speak volumes about your company and make the right impression. We customize as per the brand’s taste. Hence, there’s an array of colours to choose from and again, the option to go for a personalized monogram. Whatever be your choice, we’ll make sure you have it! In addition, we offer options to present your gift in a personalized box with the name and logo of your company. Within the box too, the product is secure in luxurious wrapping to ensure that your gift receives all the care it deserves.
Customized Corporate Gifts
Best of all, we ensure prompt delivery and globally ship your product so that it reaches any part of the world. So, what are you waiting for? Take your pick and chose Cashmere for luxury gifting for your loved ones!
Not everyone would know this, but the Kashmiri Pashmina shawl is the world's most sought-after fabric. Nothing in the world feels so luxurious and comfortable as does a Kashmiri Pashmina shawl or scarf. Being minimal in its demeanor, a Pashmina shawl adds an exceptional grace to any outfit, western or ethnic, traditional or modish, bright or pastel.
Processed in the most painstaking and skilled fashion, a single Pashmina shawl or wrap has the ability to transform your wardrobe into a whole new collection of a celebrity closet.
Apart from obvious and apparent reasons, there are a number of justifications for Pashmina to be selected for weddings. Let us analyze each one and decide for ourselves.
Where does Pashmina come from?
Ladakh is one of the coldest regions in the Jammu and Kashmir union territory. It homes a place called Changthang - over 15000 feet above sea level. This melancholic community of Buddhist monks experiences a harsh winter and the temperature dips below -40 degrees. The community is that of herders who are survived by exotic and beautiful changthangi goats. It is these goats that protect themselves in the winter with a soft and exceptionally warm raw wool called Pashm. The wool is warm enough to guard the goats against harsh weather conditions.
Harvesting Pashmina - The journey from a super fine fibre to your closets
As summer arrives, the goats rub themselves against rough rocky surfaces and coarse bushes and trees to get rid of this wool which has now started to make the goats uneasy. The herders collect this wool, clean it properly, sort it according to certain quality standards and send it to Kashmir for further processing.
In Kashmir, this wool is again cleaned. It is then spun and then handwoven to attain an airy light soft fabric which is locally called Pashmina. The entire process takes hundreds of men and women to complete, and months or sometimes years to complete just one shawl. A typical shawl has measurements of 100*200 cms. The product is pure, handmade, and made out of the natural fibre. Being such labour intensive and painstaking to acquire, it is quite obvious to consider Pashmina for wedding.
A Pashmina shawl lasts for an entire lifetime, or even more if it is properly managed. In Kashmir, it has been a tradition to give your daughter your preserved Pashmina shawl as a gift when she is a bride. (As the daughter wears her mother’s shawl, the moment is full of emotions and love). This shawl can be even 30 years old. But the purity and originality are such that not a bit of exquisiteness and grace gets lost in the years. It is also a tradition in Kashmir to keep a Pashmina for weddings.
Wedding Pashminas
If the yarn is acquired by weavers and stored, then a plain Pashmina will take around 15-20 days to complete. It is however the embroidery that takes more time and makes the buyer wait for the shawl. If a shawl is to be minimally filled with embroidery, it would take a few months. Some elaborate designs which are widespread over the base such that the base isn't even visible, take 3-4 years to finish. Similarly, Kani Pashmina shawls too take a few years to get to the markets.
Over the resplendence of Kashmiri Pashmina, the afterglow of summer sun in the form of Zari embroidery creates a magical aura
The reason for such a long length of time taken to complete a Pashmina is doing everything manually. The embroidery threads are so intricate, that a commoner might not consider it possible and human to cover a large shawl with it. Similarly, designs are elaborate and labyrinthine that it takes time to plan it, embroider it and add finishing touches.
Authentic Kashmiri Pashmina shawls are available in a variety of styles, from vibrant colors to hand embroidered
Traditionally, the Pashmina shawl was thought of as an accessory for mature women, (over 30 years of age). And it was only worn with ethnic apparel like a saree, salwar suit, bridal gowns, etc. But lately, Pashmina has evolved to be quite a versatile accessory and has been embraced by all ages and apparel. Now you can buy a Pashmina scarf for your teenage daughter and watch her look pretty graceful carrying it. Pashmina has even adapted to all types of apparel. You can wear a Pashmina with western wear, ethnic apparel, or casuals.
The reason for this versatility is Pashmina being able to embody patterns other than just embroidery, as it did in the past!
The yarn for Pashmina which is spun by Kashmiri women is so fine that it is barely visible. Pashmina yarn is just 12-16 microns in diameter (a human hair is 50 microns on average) which makes it one of the finest yarns in the world. This yarn leads to a Pashmina shawl being exceptionally light and soft, yet exceptionally warm and snug
For Men and women
Talking of versatility, one last reason to absolutely love Pashmina is its quality of being unisex. There are hand embroidery and Kani Pashmina shawls for men which look unconditionally stunning on them. Men can wrap plain Pashmina scarves with formal and casual wear. Kani Pashmina and embroidery full mens’ shawls can be ideal for festivals or wedding ceremonies.
Being favoured with royal patronage in the past, it is Kani shawl which is still in style for the timeless beauty it is
Like a fine wine, Pashmina has always gotten better with age and never looks old. In fact, it is said that the more you wear it, the softer it gets. This makes Pashmina a must-have for your winter wardrobes.
Unlike most winter fabrics, Pashmina doesn't pill (when taken good care of) and stays fresh for an entire lifetime. Minimal and timeless, Pashmina never gets out of style and can be worn for more than 30 years looking more and more artistic and pleasing to the eyes every year.
