Everything About Your Pashmina

True pashmina is 100% Changthangi goat fibre, harvested from the Changpa nomads' goats on the Changthang plateau of Ladakh and Kashmir, at 14,000+ ft altitude. The fibre diameter is 12–16 microns — thinner than the finest merino (18–24 microns) and far softer than cashmere sold at mass-market prices. If it doesn't specify the micron count or origin, treat it with scepticism.

Burn test: Genuine pashmina burns slowly, smells of hair/keratin, leaves ash. Synthetics melt, smell of plastic, leave a hard bead.

Ring test: A handwoven pashmina shawl should pass through a standard finger ring.

Touch: Real pashmina feels warm but weightless. Acrylic feels colder and slightly scratchy.

Price: A genuine handspun, handwoven pashmina costs £200+ at minimum. If it's £30, it's not pashmina.

Every piece we sell comes with a GI-certified fibre certificate and batch traceability.

The Geographical Indication (GI) tag for Kashmir Pashmina (granted by the Indian government) is a legal certification that the fibre originates from Ladakh and the product is processed in Kashmir. It functions like Champagne's appellation — it's the only internationally recognised proof that you're buying the real thing, not a Mongolian cashmere or acrylic lookalike labelled "pashmina."

Related, but not identical. All pashmina is cashmere, but not all cashmere is pashmina. Pashmina refers specifically to the ultra-fine undercoat of the Changthang goat (12–16 microns). Cashmere is a broader commercial category that includes coarser grades (up to 19 microns) from goats across Mongolia, China, and Iran. Pashmina is the rarest, finest tier.

We offer two lines: Pure Pashmina (100%) and a Pashmina-Silk blend (70/30). The silk warp adds lustre, a slight sheen, and makes the weave denser — ideal for intricate embroidery. We clearly label every product. We do not use synthetic fibres in any product.

Kani (Kani weave): Patterns woven directly into the fabric on a loom using wooden spools (kanis). No embroidery — the design is structural. One shawl can take 6–18 months.

Sozni: Hand-embroidered on a plain pashmina base using a single needle. Delicate, floral, and fine.

Tilla: Embroidered with gold or silver metallic thread. Rich, ceremonial, often worn at weddings.

Plain / Twill: No embellishment. Clean, modern, everyday luxury.

Every shawl is handwoven and hand-dyed in small batches. Natural dye uptake varies with fibre batch, water mineral content, and dye temperature. Slight variation is not a defect — it's proof of hand craft. If you're ordering two shawls to match precisely, contact us before ordering and we'll do our best to source from the same dye lot.

Yes. We use OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified dyes — free from azo compounds, heavy metals, and harmful formaldehyde. Our natural dye range uses walnut husk, indigo, pomegranate rind, and saffron. All wastewater is treated before release.

Light pilling in the first few uses is normal and expected in any fine natural fibre — it's shorter surface fibres working free. It diminishes with wear. Remove pills with a cashmere comb or soft fabric shaver (never a regular razor).

With proper care, decades. Pashmina heirlooms from the 19th century exist in museum collections. Unlike synthetic textiles, pashmina doesn't degrade from UV or oxidation in the same way. The enemies are moths, rough washing, and prolonged damp storage. Treat it well and it outlasts fast fashion by generations.

No. Machine washing — even on delicate — creates agitation that causes felting (irreversible matting). Always hand wash: cold water (under 30°C), mild pH-neutral shampoo or wool wash, gentle press — never wring or twist, rinse twice in cold water, press in a towel to remove water, lay flat to dry in shade.

Dry cleaning is safe but unnecessary for plain pashminas. Embroidered or Kani pieces may benefit from professional cleaning.

Moths attack natural protein fibres. Store clean (moths are attracted to body oils and food residue), in a breathable cotton zip bag — never sealed plastic. Add cedar blocks or lavender sachets nearby. Avoid mothballs (naphthalene damages fibres and is toxic). Check seasonally; a light airing every few months disrupts any larvae.

Don't pull it. Use a blunt tapestry needle or a crochet hook to gently ease the loop through to the reverse side. Work from both sides to even out the tension. If the snag is on an embroidered section, consult a textile restorer.

Only with caution. Use the lowest heat setting, place a damp cotton cloth between the iron and the shawl, and iron on the reverse side. Never iron embroidery directly. For wrinkle removal, hanging in a steamy bathroom is gentler and usually sufficient.

Act quickly. Blot (never rub) with cold water. For oily stains, apply a tiny amount of gentle shampoo, work in with fingertips, rinse. For wine or tannin stains, cold water immediately, followed by a hand wash. Avoid hot water — it sets protein-based stains. If in doubt, take to a specialist dry cleaner experienced with cashmere.

Classic Stole: 70 × 200 cm — shoulder wrap, scarf styling.

Full Shawl: 100 × 200 cm — the traditional size; wraps fully around the body.

Grand Shawl: 120 × 250 cm — generous drape, doubles as a light wrap or blanket.

Each listing specifies exact dimensions before and after washing (slight natural shrinkage of 2–3% is normal).

Evening wrap: Drape the full shawl over both shoulders, use a jewelled pin at the chest to secure.

Belted: Drape and add a slim belt at the waist for a cocoon silhouette.

Head covering: Fold into a triangle, drape over the head and pin under the chin.

Infinity loop: Loop the stole twice around the neck for a structured collar effect.

Blanket throw: Grand Shawl size works beautifully draped over an armchair.

Spring/Autumn: Single-ply, lighter weave (our 100–120g range) — breathable, not too warm.

Winter: Double-ply or thicker twill (160–200g) — genuine insulation without bulk.

Tropical/Indoors: Silk-blend pashmina — lighter, slightly cooler, beautiful drape.

All weights are listed per product. If unsure, contact us with your climate and use case.

Everyone. Pashmina is universal. The full shawl (100 × 200 cm) worn as a wrap coat substitute is a staple in South Asian tradition. In Western contexts, the classic stole as a winter scarf is understated and elegant. We stock a dedicated Classic Edit in deeper tones — charcoal, midnight navy, forest, ivory — as well as a full spectrum of colours across all collections.

Because they are not the same product. The £25–£80 "pashmina" sold on marketplace sites is almost universally acrylic or low-grade viscose. Our shawls are hand-combed, handspun, handwoven in Kashmir — a process involving multiple specialist artisans over weeks or months. The cost reflects genuine fibre, genuine craft, and fair artisan wages.

Yes. Every piece is presented in our signature handmade mulberry paper box with a fabric ribbon — gift-ready by default. A personal handwritten message can be included at no extra charge. We also offer premium wooden gift boxes for larger selections.

Yes. Custom dye colours, embroidery patterns, monograms, and size variations are available. Lead time is typically 8–14 weeks depending on complexity. Discuss your requirements during your private viewing or contact us directly.

Plain / Twill: Safe choice for anyone — versatile, wearable daily, never outmoded.

Sozni Embroidered: More personal, visually beautiful — ideal if you know their taste runs traditional or bohemian.

Kani: The prestige gift — for someone who appreciates heritage craft. Often kept as heirlooms.

Tilla: Best for a wedding, a celebration, or someone who loves ceremony.

Yes. We work with hotels, luxury retailers, and corporate gifting programmes. Minimum order is typically 10 pieces. Volume pricing and co-branding options (custom labels, boxes) are available.

Book a private viewing through our website or contact us directly. Within 24 hours, our concierge will confirm your appointment and bring a curated selection of pieces to your preferred location and time. There is no obligation to purchase — simply experience the textile in person.

Duties depend on your country's import regulations. We declare accurate values on all customs forms — we do not under-declare, as this is illegal and leaves you unprotected if a parcel is lost. Contact us if you need specific guidance for your region.

30 days from delivery — no questions asked. Items must be unworn, unwashed, and in original packaging. Bespoke / custom orders are non-returnable unless faulty. Refunds are processed within 5 business days of receiving the return.

Contact us within 48 hours of delivery with photos of the damage and the packaging. We'll arrange a replacement or full refund immediately — no waiting, no lengthy process. All shipments are insured precisely for this.

Yes, within 30 days. Start an exchange via your account dashboard or email us. Subject to stock availability. If the replacement is of higher value, you'll be charged the difference; if lower, you'll receive a store credit.

Pashmina is not sheared — it is combed out by hand during spring moulting season, when the Changra goat naturally sheds its winter undercoat. The process is gentle and the animals are not harmed. Each goat yields only 80–170 grams of fibre per year, which is why pashmina is rare.

Yes, and we publish our pay structure. We work directly with weaver cooperatives in Kashmir — cutting out middlemen so more value reaches craftspeople. Artisans earn 2–3× the regional baseline for their skill level. We also fund a health insurance programme for weavers' families.

It's under serious pressure. Cheap imitations undercut genuine craftspeople, and younger generations are reluctant to enter a low-income trade. We counter this by paying premium prices, offering apprenticeship funding, and co-hosting craft documentation programmes. Buying genuine pashmina directly supports the survival of this craft.

We've built sustainability into every step: natural fibres (biodegradable), OEKO-TEX certified dyes, minimal and recyclable packaging, carbon-offset shipping options, and small-batch production to avoid overstock waste.

The full chain: fibre is combed on the Changthang plateau, Ladakh. Spinning and weaving takes place in the Kashmir Valley (primarily Srinagar). Embroidery is done by artisans in their homes across the valley. Final quality inspection and packaging happens at our studio in Srinagar, before shipping. Nothing is outsourced to factories outside Kashmir.