For over 500 years craftsman from Kashmir have been making Pashmina. Pashmina is a fine type of wool from special gotas. The name comes from Persian: پشمینه / pašmina, meaning “made from wool” and literally translates to “Soft Gold”. It came to be known as ‘cashmere’ in the West because Europeans first encountered this fibre in Ladakh in the Indian state of Kashmir.
Pashmina is the art of Handcrafting distinctive pieces of luxury with fine Himalayan Cashmere. It has withstood the test of time & have been around for more than five centuries. From being draped by the European nobility to now being the ultimate fashion accessory, this ancient art has gone through a whirlwind of a ride in the last few decades.
The Pashmina goat sheds its winter coat every spring.
There’s a flood of fast fashion today and many knock off Pashminas. But to be authemtic the wool has to come from the Pashmina goat or Changthangi as it’s called in Kashmir. It is especially soft which contributes to it’s luxurious feel.
Many global brands have jumped on to this bandwagon. Even when it comes to Cashmere, most brands are selling “affordable products” in the name of machine-made and blended varieties. Since Cashmere is regal and a symbol of opulence, consumers (because of the lack of awareness) go in for such tall claims and later pay a heavy price for their choices.
This royal art has its roots in the picturesque valleys of Kashmir and for many, maintaining its pristine beauty is paramount. There’s a revival today to preserve the lost craftsmanship and traditions. Now you know why Pashmina is called Asia’s Soft Gold.