Pashmina wool is one of the finest wool in the world. A Changthangi or Pashmina goat sheds its winter coat every spring and one goat sheds approximately 80-170 g (3-6 ounces) of fibre. During spring season, the goats naturally shed their under fleece, which regrows in the winter. This under fleece is put together by combing the goat and not by trimming as in other types of cashmere goats. The traditional producers of Pashmina wool is a nomadic community, which inhabits the Changthang plateau of Ladakh (Kashmir region) and is known as the Changpa. The Changpa people live in one of the harshest environments braving extreme cold and tough living conditions.

Origin of Pashmina

One theory states that a Persian Sufi named Mir Sayyid Ali Hamadani who arrived in Kashmir with 700 Persian artisans during the 14th century introduced the art of Pashmina. However, another theory says that in 15th century ruler of Kashmir, Zain-ul-Abidin introduced Pashmina to the world. Pashm is among the finest fibres ever woven; but on its arrival in Srinagar it is no more than a grubby and greasy mass as it has come from the goat, mixed with all sorts of dirt and dandruff and coarse hairs from the animal’s outer coat. To transform this dubious material into a gossamer fabric with patterns as delicate as the flowers they evoke, takes all the artistry and skill of Kashmir’s spinners, dyers, designers, weavers, and embroiderers and a host of ancillary workers.

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Pashmina handicrafts have been famous around the world, the French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte presented a Pashmina shawl to his wife Josephine and she is known to have owned many of them. Before the 20th century, only royals would own a Pashmina, also it a well-known fact that there are various royal families that have spent fortunes on Pashmina fabric. But, times eventually changed and the industry has evolved greatly with now the common man possessing products of this fine artwork.

Global Pashmina Market

The Global Pashmina Market is growing at a faster pace with substantial growth rates over the last couple of years and is estimated that the market will grow significantly in 2021 to 2027. The Global Pashmina Shawls Market report are dependent on market dynamics, involves the drivers, restraints, opportunities and challenges through which the impact of these factors in the market are outlined. The drivers and restraints are intrinsic factors whereas opportunities and challenges are extrinsic factors of the market. The Global Market study provides an outlook on the development of market in terms of revenue throughout the prognosis period.

The study on the Global Pashmina market shows a number of countries as participants which include North America, U.S, Canada, Mexico, Europe, Germany, UK, France, Asia Pacific, China, Japan, India, Latin America, Middle East & Africa. Indian stands a leading player in the Pashmina market. As the Pashmina shawl market has potential which can pay rich dividends, a number of initiatives have been taken by the Indian Government. A positive step was taken by the state by establishing the Pashmina Testing and Quality Control Centre (PTQCC). A number of policies have been put in place by the Indian Government to push the trader into Pashmina production, the objective of these policies by handloom sector was to develop a strong, competitive and vibrant sector that would provide sustainable employment leading to economic development, particularly of rural areas. The vision was to target growth in terms of doubling the country’s share in the global market and ensure higher socio-economic status for the artisan community.

Mubashir Andraabi, the man behind the exquisite luxury cashmere brand, Andraab, says that the gossamer Pashmina wool they produce is the result of the unique topography that the nomads and their herds traverse. “To maintain the quality of the under fleece, the nomadic lifestyle they live between extreme conditions and warmer grasslands is important.”

(Pictures as above) For Latest Andraabi’s Collection Visit https://www.andraab.com/

In pursuance of the above objectives, the Government of India implemented five Plan schemes that were administered through the Development Commissioner for Handloom, Ministry of Textiles, of which two are Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) and three are Central Sector Schemes. A new CSS, namely ‘Revival, Reform and Restructuring Package for Handloom Sector’ was introduced during 2011-12 to revive the Handloom sector. These initiatives have definitely given the requisite impetus to the Pashmina textile business. It is not far that India will emerge as the leading player in the Pashmina market.