“What is Pashmina? Is it Cashmere or not?”
Meaning of word “Pashmina”
To understand Pashmina, we have to understand its meaning, This word is a Persian word, where “Pash” means wool and “mina” means fabric, therefore the real meaning of Pashmina is “a fabric made of wool”. This word has derived its name from the old spelling of Kashmir, “Pashmina”- Persian word for woolen fabric, is an extremely fine & rare, sheered from the finest hairs located under the neck and belly of a particular goat “Capra Hircus”', found in the Himalayan Mountains (altitude 12 to 14000 ft.) It is extremely delicate, soft, tender and warm. That is why Pashmina shawls are prized for their extraordinary elegance.
How is Pashmina made?
Taking its name from the Persian word for "wool" (Pashm), the wool is made from the finest hairs of a particular breed of goat bred in the mountains of Kashmir and Nepal. Our Pashmina shawls are still hand-loomed. The wool sheered from the goat is combed by nomadic herders and then the threads are hand woven on handloom over a silk wrap making the fabric resilient. The dying is done in open vats and dying in sun followed by ironing hand embroidery, beading or printing by experts
Pashmina East meets west
Pashmina travelled from Kashmir to west in 1796 when it reached France via Egypt & Baghdad as a gift to Napoleon & his beloved Josephine. Since then it has been known as fabric royale and passion by wealthy women in Europe & Asia.
How do you care for Pashmina?
Since the fabric is very fine wool. Its dry cleaning is recommended.
About our Company
Its director India born Renee Jain has a special interest in hand woven garments. She has learnt to critique the artistry of the country’s finest weavers. She meticulously inspects the work of craftsmen and would accept only the very best in weaving handwork and embroidery.
Quality and sizes of our Pashmina products
Our luxurious Pashmina are exquisitely blended with 70% Pashmina wool and 30% silk. We offer three sizes: Shawl (36”x80”), Wrap(28”x78”), Scarf (22”x60”). Apart from this we also carry 100% cashmere products, pure Pashmina, shameena products.
Brief History Of Pashmina
This amazing cashmere wool comes exclusively from the underbelly of the Capra Hircus goat, in the most remote regions of the Himalayas. Because they live approximately 14,000 feet above sea level, these special goats grow a thin, inner coat of hair that insulates them during the long, harsh Himalayan winters. It is this unique inner coat of hair that is used to produce pashmina. Each hair is about 1/6th the diameter of most other types of hair - but is still surprisingly durable and fabulously soft and warm to human skin.
You may be surprised to discover that it takes the entire annual growth of three of these goats to create just one pashmina shawl. But take comfort in the fact that these goats are not harmed during the process of producing pashmina. This is because the wool is collected only after being shed naturally. It is almost like this special cashmere wool is the goats' gift to everyone. And what an amazing gift it is!
Pashmina is also quite unusual in that it actually becomes softer and more comfortable with each use, making it gentler on your skin each time you wear it. With proper care, the pashmina will last a lifetime. Testament to this is the fact that Pashminas have been handed down from generation to generation in royal and wealthy families throughout the world. Of course with Cashmere Pashmina Group you don't have to be royalty to enjoy a pashmina of your very own! We make every effort to give you the best quality at the most reasonable price.
It is interesting to note that Napoleon may have started the pashmina fashion craze over 200 years ago when he presented a pashmina shawl to his wife. She was so pleased with the shawl that she asked Napoleon to get more so she could share them with her fashionable society friends. Two hundred years later pashmina remains an essential part of a fashionable wardrobe, attesting to the durability and widespread appeal of such a classic accessory.
To summarize, Pashmina is the traditional name for the very finest grade of cashmere wool. Due to its unique softness and comforting warmth, pashmina is also known as the "diamond fabric" and the "soft gold of high Asia." Simply put, it is the finest, softest and warmest wool available anywhere.
Manufacturing a Pashmina
1). Pashmina Wool from the Capra Hircus Goat
Capra Hircus goat which is the source of Pashmina lives at elevations of 14,000 feet and above, where temperatures rarely rise above minus 30 degrees centigrade in winter. Pashmina is the goat's soft underbelly down, which lies under the coarse outer hair. Each goat produces only about 3 ounces or 90 grams of Pashmina wool each year. One woven Pashmina shawl requires the wool from three goats.
2). Spinning Pashmina Yarn
The pashmina wool is collected every spring, and is basically spun by hand. The yarn is spun on a spinning wheel locally known as 'Charkha'. Hand-spinning is an extremely painstaking task which requires immense patience, dexterity and dedication.
3). Weaving Pashmina Fabric
Pashmina yarn is too fragile for the vibration caused by power looms. Therefore the weaving of the traditional 100% Pashmina shawls are usually done on handlooms. The weaving process in itself is an art, which has been passed down over generations to give you the fabulous pashmina shawls.
4). Making the Fringes
The process of making the distinctive Pashmina fringe is perhaps one of the most interesting stages of shawl making. It takes hours to fringe each Pashmina shawl.
5). Dyeing a Pashmina
Dyeing is also a hands on process. Dyers must exercise immense patience and generations of experience are key to the ones who expertly dye the Pashmina shawls. Experience dyers are very critical as even the smallest negligence reflects on the quality of the product. Only natural dyes are used, making the shawls completely eco-friendly.