Pashmina, the “soft gold,” is known as premium-quality wool and is popular for its outstanding features. But do you know how and from which animal Pashmina is sourced? In this blog, we’ll explore the origins of Pashmina and why it is renowned for its exceptional qualities.
Since the time of the great Mughal emperors, Pashmina wool has been the most popular choice for its exceptional properties, including softness, warmth, delicacy, and royal elegance. Pashmina wool is special in itself. Its origin, source, and final transformation reflect its value and represent it as a cultural heritage.
The Source of Pashmina Wool
The sourcing of Pashmina wool is challenging and highly labor intensive. Each step requires extreme care and time.
What Animal Produces Pashmina Wool?
Pashmina is a refined version of cashmere wool, grown on the Changthangi goat, also known as the Kashmiri goat. This goat is found exclusively in the Himalayan regions of Kashmir, Ladakh, Nepal, Tibet, Bhutan, and other similar areas. These goats live in the mountains at high altitudes of more than 4,000 meters and require specific conditions to live.
The Process of Collecting Pashmina Wool
The Changthangi goats are a rare breed, which further limits the availability of Pashmina, as more than one goat is required to weave a shawl. Out of the 100 grams of wool shed, only 35 grams can be used for the shawl. The Cashmere fibers grow on the bodies of these goats during the summer months and fall off naturally in the spring. Then, the process of collecting, cleaning, combing and weaving begins.
Characteristics of Pashmina Wool
Softness and Warmth: Pashmina is extremely soft and offers incredible warmth, making it the perfect choice for chilly weather.
Lightweight and Breathable: Pashmina wool is lightweight and breathable, which makes Pashmina garments easy to handle and comfortable to wear.
Read Also: How To Wear Pashmina Over Shoulders?
Why Pashmina is a Luxury Item
Labor-Intensive Craftsmanship: Shaping the Pashmina wool into the fabric to create beautiful Pashmina products requires skilled artisans. The process is intricate and highly time-consuming.
Rarity and Demand: As mentioned above, Pashmina is obtained from the rare breed of Himalayan goats. Its limited production, time-consuming process, and hand-weaving techniques contribute to its high price.
Global Recognition and Popularity
Pashmina is not just loved by the people in a specific country; it has gained global recognition as one of the most demanded fabrics in the international markets. In today’s generation, people have access to many platforms to find trusted Pashmina sellers.
People are influenced by the fashion and endorsements of celebrities and often try to imitate whatever they carry. Whether you are styling a solid-colored Pashmina headscarf, a patterned scarf, or a hand-embroidered Pashmina shawl, you can enhance your overall appearance just by incorporating these style statements into your formal and informal outfits.
Read Also: How Many Types of Shawls are There in Kashmir?
Common Imitations and How to Spot Authentic Pashmina
While buying Pashmina, you should always check whether it is pure or blended. Nowadays, many sellers label fake Pashmina products as 100% pure and use various marketing gimmicks to attract buyers with the lure of lower price ranges.
One thing is always guaranteed: real Pashmina is always expensive, starting from Rs.10,000. You really need to understand why Pashmina is costly. Don’t fall for the lower price ranges; always check for the GI certification to verify the authenticity of the product. This certification ensures that the product is originally crafted and sourced from Kashmir. Apart from this, you can touch it to feel the softness, and lightweight nature, and wrap it around to experience the warmth.
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