Pashmina: What Is It?
Pashmina is a luxurious fabric of unparalleled softness, woven from the finest wool of Himalayan goats living at altitudes above 3,000 meters.
This exceptional wool comes exclusively from the long, ultra-fine hairs of the goat’s underneck and chin, where the fibers are the warmest and silkiest.
The word “pashmina” originates from the Persian pashmînâh, meaning “warm wool.”
Harvested by hand in spring, this precious fiber is then manually spun and woven on traditional wooden looms, following ancestral techniques passed down through generations. Each pashmina requires countless hours of meticulous craftsmanship. Indian and Nepalese artisans weave the wool with extraordinary precision, creating fabrics that are light, warm, and remarkably fine.
Pashmina fibers measure only 14 to 15 microns in diameter, compared to 50 to 75 microns for a human hair — a delicacy rivaled only by the rare and precious shahtoosh wool.
The Himalayan goats feed on endemic plants growing on the arid, mineral-rich plateaus of the region. This unique environment and extreme climate explain the outstanding quality of their wool. Each goat produces only 100 to 300 grams of pashmina per year, making this material as rare as it is precious.
Thanks to this rare combination — altitude, climate, diet, and artisanal expertise — pashmina is now considered one of the finest wools in the world. Often called the “Gold of Kashmir,” it stands out for its lightness, natural warmth, and timeless elegance, whether worn as a stole, shawl, or scarf.
Pashmina Weaving
Pashmina weaving is an ancient craft in India, dating back several centuries. Skilled artisans specializing in pashmina production are mainly based in the Kashmir region of northern India, near the Himalayan mountains.
The Weaving Process
The process begins with the careful selection of pashmina wool. Only the finest and most delicate fibers, taken from the underneck and chin of Himalayan mountain goats, are chosen. This extraordinary wool is incredibly soft and lightweight — ideal for crafting authentic pashmina shawls.
Once the wool has been sorted, it is hand-spun into a high-quality yarn, which is then used for weaving. Artisans employ traditional Kashmiri looms to create delicate stoles and shawls.
Hand weaving is a slow, intricate process that requires immense patience and skill. Artisans use age-old techniques to produce complex patterns and refined designs, using natural or plant-based dyes for coloration.
Once weaving is complete, each piece is carefully washed and brushed by hand to remove impurities, then pressed and packaged with great care. The final result is a pashmina that is soft, light, and warm — the pure expression of Indian craftsmanship and passion.
Pashmina Embroidery
Pashmina embroidery is a refined artisanal technique requiring great skill and patience. Here are the main steps involved in embroidering a pashmina:
Choosing the Design Block
Selecting the right walnut wood block, intricately carved, is essential to imprint the design onto the shawl. Artisans have hundreds of carved blocks at their disposal, and choosing the right one for the borders or the center is a crucial step.
Stamping the Shawl
The artisan dips the carved wooden block into a special ink, then applies it with precision onto the fabric to transfer the pattern. This step demands great concentration, as each press must be perfectly aligned for the design to remain consistent and harmonious across the entire surface.
Embroidering the Shawl
Once the pattern has been printed, the shawl is entrusted to the expert hands of embroiderers. Using multicolored silk threads, these artisans meticulously hand-stitch each motif. The embroidery work is mainly carried out in the Kashmir region by families preserving this heritage from generation to generation. Unfortunately, this tradition is fading over time, making such handcrafted pieces increasingly rare and precious.
→ Discover Our Collection of Genuine Pashminas
100% Cashmere Pashmina – natural warmth and unmatched softness of pure cashmere.
Hand-Embroidered Pashmina – unique pieces entirely hand-embroidered by skilled artisans.
Silk-Blend Pashmina – lightness and refined radiance for every occasion.
