You know you're getting quality pashmina when you
see a tag
that says "Made in Nepal." Pashmina that comes from Nepal and Tibet are
several microns thinner than the ones from some parts in Kashmir in
India. Therefore, the pashmina is softer and lighter and more
comfortable.
Pashmina is the name of the luxurious, beautiful
fabric that
is made from the wool of the Chyangra goat or the Capra Hircus. These
goats
live in the cold, temperate, mountainous regions of Central Asia,
particularly
in the central plains of Mongolia and the Himalayas. Because this rare
of breed
of goats lives around 12,000 to 14,500 feet above sea level, they have
developed short, thin and shiny inner coats to insulate themselves from
the
cold. Weavers collect the hair these goats shred during spring to
produce the pashmina. In fact, the word pashmina itself comes from the
ancient Persian word
"pashm" which means wool and which refers to the inner coat of the capra
hircus.
For many years, pashmina has been used by weavers
in Kashmir, from which the name cashmere is derived. Kashmir is a
disputed area that lies
between Pakistan and India. Due to the ongoing civil war, much of the
production has been transferred to other parts of India and Nepal.
The raw materials, such as the wool and the fleece,
are
carefully hand-spun and then dyed using environment-friendly dyes such
as Swiss
Sandoz dyes. Some manufacturers even employ authentic Tibetan artists in
Nepal especially for the dyeing process, as dyeing involves a more
delicate, intricate procedure. One mistake by a less skilled artisan can
spell the difference between a quality
pashmina and a bad one. The pashmina that comes from Nepal are treated
with
dyes that are of higher quality than the dyes coming from India. Dyeing,
then, is done faster and the colors last longer.
Pashmina from Nepal, which is thinner, softer and
lighter
than pashmina from other parts of the world, is combined with silk,
which adds
durability and luster to the fabric. This is then hand-woven into the
shawls,
stoles and scarves which are shipped all over the world and which you
see in
your favorite clothing store. Pashmina makers from Nepal also take pride
in the fact that the pashmina from their country are handmade. Some are
machine made, and
although they are less expensive, they are also relatively harsher and
rougher
to the touch. Handweaving allows the pashmina to be densely woven yet
still
lightweight and much more comfortable.
The incredibly high demand for pashmina all over
the world
has resulted not only in making women more stylish and fashionable, it
has also
kept the tradition of hand weaving in Nepal alive. Pashmina-making is an
old
tradition that has been passed down from generation to generation. This
also provides valuable income for the artisans and their families.
There are many ways of wearing pashmina, from the belt
style, to the old Hollywood style, to the full wrap and the full shawl wrap.
You can even wear a pashmina a la Grace Kelly, the famous Hollywood actress who
popularized wearing the scarf over the head.
About the Author:
Razz Gurung
Originally by :Brenda Reese
I'm not talented at anything that most people would call
art. I work for a few fashion firms, including a great pashmina outfit (their Nepalese pashmina is gorgeous!).
