The Pashmina shawls are incredibly soft and warm and have a luxurious touch. But have you ever thought about what country did Pashmina shawl came from? Or which country is famous for pashmina shawls?
The Kashmir and Ladakh states of the Himalayan region are famously known for pashmina shawls, obtained from the Changthangi goat. Apart from Indian regions, the rare cashmere goats are found in Myanmar, Bhutan, Nepal, and Pakistan. The cashmere wool is the raw product acquired from these goats and further processing transforms it into pashmina shawls.
There is a long history of pashmina shawls about where they came from, how are they processed, and which Indian states are famous for pashmina shawls. In this article, you will learn everything about the Pashmina shawl and its fascinating history.
Read More: How to Unshrink Cashmere? Learn 3 Easy Methods!!
History of Pashmina Shawl
Even though the history of cashmere and pashmina is a long way back, its softness, fineness, warmth, and luxuriousness never undermined. However, in the past, Pashmina was the crown of the royal peoples and a symbol of royalty as a common man couldn’t afford it.
Pashmina is the Persian word “pashm” which means wool while in the Kashmiri language pashm means “raw unspun wool”. It is the origin of the Kashmir valley and was first introduced by a Kashmiri ruler Kashmiri ruler Zain-ul-Abidin in the 15th century.
The king was also known for the refining and redefining of pashmina shawl by inviting skilled laborers to craft fine-quality shawls. In the Mughal era, the pashmina shawl became the symbol of nobility and gained widespread popularity due to its softness and warmth despite its lightweight.
In the modern era, with technological advancement, the pashmina shawl has also seen various turnarounds. Now, we have machines and power looms that produce fine-design pashmina and related products in less time.
The glittering design of pashmina is now famous across the world and has become the global leader of the textile and fashion industry.
Also read: How to Tell if a Pashmina is Real or Fake
Which Country is Famous for Pashmina Shawls
The Kashmiri region of India is renowned for its 100% pashmina shawls made up of cashmere wool which is acquired from the Kashmiri goat. These goats reside in Kashmir and Ladakh region and shed their undercoat during springtime which are further processed to produce fine, soft, and luxurious shawls.
The reason behind the finest and softest pashmina shawls is the finest quality of cashmere wool which is constrained to the Himalayan regions. The obtained wool is collected and further processed to prepare soft, warm, and luxurious pashmina shawls.
In the 21st century, even the pashmina shawls are popular and can be found in various neighboring cities of India including Nepal, Bhutan, and Pakistan regions. However, the fine quality and authentic pashmina shawls are only found in the Kashmir region of India.
How Pashmina Shawl Made
Pashmina shawl is made from cashmere wool which is acquired from a Kashmiri goat, residing in the Kashmiri region. Collecting, sorting, cleaning, spinning, weaving, embroidering, etc are the major processes that transform raw cashmere wool into a world-class pashmina shawl.
The Selection and Collection – The finest and highest-quality wool is only available in the Kashmiri and Ladakh regions of Himalaya where the rare goat shed their undercoat at the time of spring and winter. The herder collects the best quality wool and hair around the neck which is considered the finest quality.
Cleaning and Sorting – To remove any type of impurities, the raw is cleaned and sorted carefully to get the best quality and soft wool. The wool is washed with warm water or sometimes in detergent to remove any type of dirt and impurity.
Spinning and Weaving – Spinning is the major step in producing soft and luxurious pashmina shawls. This process is completely done with hands with hundreds of artists instead of machines as done in faux pashmina.
The technique of spinning involves twisting the dried fibers into an endless yarn or thread suitable for shawl fabrication. Manually woven is the primary reason for the incredible softness of pashmina shawls.
Embroidery – The process of embroidery is done as per the customer’s requirements. Embroidery requires high-level skills and is done manually with needles and threads to give the shawls a more attractive and unique design. In a few shawls, Kani weaving is also processed which is a labor-intensive process and requires skilled artisans.
Kani weaving is a process of creating intricate designs and continuous patterns that are expensive comparatively.
Also read: GI Certified Pashmina Shawls
Why Real Pashmina Shawl is So Expensive?
As we discussed, pashmina shawls are made of cashmere wool which is famously found in the Kashmir region of India. The cashmere wool is obtained from the rare Changthangi goats and involves labor-intensive processing and crafting to turn it into a shawl.
From collecting to sorting, spinning, and weaving, all is done manually which levied a high cost and this is why the pashmina shawl is so expensive. A machine-produced pashmina shawl can’t retain its softness and luxuriousness, so manual processing is always preferred.
The Kashmir and Himalayan region are the only source of original cashmere wool. The limited availability is another major reason behind the cost of pashmina shawls. The extensive embroidery work and demanded patterns like Kin weaving are the additional costs levied on pashmina products.
Conclusion
The popularity of the Pashmina shawls spread worldwide but the original pashmina is still produced and crafted in the Kashmir and Ladakh of India. This is because the Changthangi goats are only restricted and can survive in this cold region. To feel the real luxury, warmth, and softness, always prefer to purchase the original pashmina shawls.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Country is Famous for Pashmina Shawls?
Kashmir and Ladakh are the Indian states known for high-quality pashmina shawls. They are hand-crafted and hand-woven and are famous for being the softest and finest quality shawls in the world.
How Real Pashmina Shawls are Produced?
All the original pashmina shawls are produced and crafted by hand with the assistance of hundreds of skilled artisans. It involves a lengthy process of collecting, sorting, cleaning, spinning, dyeing, weaving, embroidering, and finishing.
How Much Does Pashmina Shawl Cost in India?
The price of the Pashmina shawl is not fixed. The amount of effort put into a pashmina shawl determines its cost, as each of them is handcrafted and has a distinctive weave and spin. The unique embroidery and artisan work that the buyer requests have significant impacts on the price as well.
Where to Buy Best Quality Pashmina Shawls?
Angela Jey is the one-stop destination for every range and design of pashmina shawls. It has a wide range of high-quality and authentic pashmina shawls to select from at an affordable price.
How to Take Care of Pashmina Shawl?
An original pashmina shawl can serve you for a lifetime if preserved properly. Always keep the shawl in a cool and dry place. Don’t hand it anywhere, it is very soft and may lose its shape. Take extra care while washing; the best way to wash it is by hand without rubbing the brush to avoid any damage.
