Recently the Union Minister for Commerce and Power, Jairam Ramesh and Jammu and Kashmir Governor Narender Nath Vohra Sunday dedicated Geographical Indications (GI) registration of Kashmiri Pashmina and Kani Shawl to the artisans and craft industry of the State.
“I have fulfilled my promise and I feel pleasure in announcing that Kashmir Pashmina and Kani shall is now fully protected. The GI registration of these two treasures will help safeguard and promote age old handicrafts of Kashmir” the Union Minister said in a meeting held at Sheri-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC).
He continues to add “The GI registration will provide full rights to the Kashmiri artisans to produce and manufacture these two products so that it could reach every market of India with Kashmiri logo”.
Lindsay Lohan seen her wearing a beautiful pink patterned pashmina
We spotted this photo of Lindsay wearing a great Pashmina scarf, tied in the classic ‘Casual Pashmina Knot’ – check out our ‘How to tie a Pashmina’ section for step by step instructions on how to tie this and all the other popular pashmina scarf knts. Lindsay’s Pashmina is beautiful pale pink with a two tone red pattern which gives the scarf a casual but chic look. She has matched it with a red dress – and even found a suitably matching drink for her outfit! Miss Lohan is a long time fan of the Pashmina and other scarves, often sporting the accessory in it’s conventional use of on occasion as a head scarf. We think she looks great here and love the choice of pashmina.
Kate Middleton proves she is the real Pashmina Princess, seen here wearing a great green Pashmina scarf!
This is the photo which proves that Kate Middleton is trying to steal our crown as Pashmina Princess! Kate, the long term girlfriend of Prince William, and widely expected to become his wife and therefore ‘Princess’ is seen sporting a beautiful dark green pashmina scarf woven with a deep red pattern. Miss Middleton shows how a great scarf is an invaluable accessory which can transform an outfit. She also shows how the pashmina is not just at home when teamed with casual outfits for the boho look, but can also be a fantastic accompaniment for an elegant and stylsh look. This pashmina is perfect for a professional appearance, the detailed pattern gives it a luxurious and sophisticated feel, adding to the overall elegant feel of the outfit.
Firstly let us say congratulations to Billie Piper and Laurence Fox on the birth of their baby boy, second congratulations on your great choice of pashmina scarf!
Billie Piper, star of Doctor Who and more recently The secret diary of a call girl looks every inch the glamorous celeb in this shot where she is seen wearing a great mint / grey pashmina scarf. The accessory is the perfect match for her outfit giving a fantastic ‘shabbie-chic’ edge which is complemented by the beret. Billie has just given birth to her first child, a son named Winston. Husband Laurence Fox confirmed the childs name – initially revealed by Billie’s ex and long term friend Chris Evans. We are convinced that Billie will make motherhood look as easy as pulling together her fantastic outfits, and bet it won’t be long before the baby makes his first appearance, probably in his own chic pashmina! Once again it is clear that the pashmina is not only the staple accessory for any superstar, but that the pashmina really can make an outfit!
Rachel Bilson wears a great pashmina scarf again, and again, and again!
She is without question one of the most stylish celebrities around, has impeccable taste, and is famed for her huge handbags and designer sunglasses – but maybe the credit crunch is taking its toll on Hollywood’s finest, as Rachel Bilson is spotted sporting the same yellow pashmina scarf in recent outings! Having shot to fame as the adorable Summer Roberts in the hugely successful US hit The O.C and starred in Jumperearlier this year we would have thought she was rolling in it, but Rachel, described by some US papers as a ‘fashion junkie’ can’t seem to put down her yellow pashmina scarf!
Yellow Pashmina inspires Bilson’s new clothing label Edie Rose…
Rather than being a sign that Rachel is being forced to recycle her wardrobe, Pashmina Princess has learnt that her new clothing label Edie Rose – a collaboration with DKNY launched earlier this year was inspired by her yellow scarf! The new collection currently only available in the US was finally unveiled at the end of September, features jeans, casual dresses, leather jackets and tailored blazers. Many of the peices feature a flash of the bright yellow featured in her favourite scarf! We’ll keep our eyes pealed for snaps of other accessories in they hope they give us insight into what Edie Rose is planning next. In the mean time, if you can’t get to America to buy from Rachel’s new collection – why not get yourself a yellow scarf!
Definitions of Cashmere
The dictionary definition of cashmere is “A luxury fiber obtained from the soft fleecy undergrowth of the Kashmir goat”.
The U.S. Wool Products Labeling Act of 1939 definition is “the fine undercoat fibers produced by a cashmere goat (Capra hircus laniger) with an average diameter of the fibers not exceeding 19 microns and containing not more than 3 percent (by weight) of cashmere fibers with average diameters that exceed 30 microns”.
The Cashmere and Camel Hair Manufacturers Institute again with the above but have also require that “the coefficient of variation around the mean shall not exceed 24%”.
The Worst Type of Cashmere
The worst type of wool is spun from long-staple wool and therefore the worst type of cashmere is the tightly twisted cashmere yarn.Raw – fiber that has not been processed and is essentially straight from the animal
Stages of Cashmere
- Processed – fiber that has been through the processes of de-hairing, washing, carding, and is ready either to spin or to knit/crochet/weave
- Virgin – new fiber which has been made into yarns, fabrics or garments for the first time
- Recycled – fibers reclaimed from scraps or fabrics that were previously woven or felted, and which may or may not have been previously used by the consumer.
Pashmina scarf still the celebs best friend!
- Mel B in Pashmina
Melanie Brown is the latest celeb to be spotted in a Pashmina scarf proving the accessory remains as popular as ever. The star seen returning from a recent trip to LA teams the gorgeous white scarf with her trade mark super sized sunglasses. The plain white pashmina scarf is almost certainly the most versatile colour of all, suiting almost any outfit and adding a subtle style to any outfit.
Just a quick post of a few places it would be useful to have a pashmina
Bring a Pashmina on your Travels
Pashminas a light, warm and use virtually no space in you bag. They are your perfect travel companion; not only can you use it too keep you warm but also as a blanket or pillion during a journey on a plain, bus or train.
In the Office
Keep a pashmina in your in your office desk and use it when the air-con is just too much. Neutral coloured are the best for work places as they go with anything. You can also use it if you go out for lunch and the weather has changed unexpecting.
Pashmina at the Beach
Pashminas are perfect as a cover-up like a sarong and unlike cotton they are much lighter and airier. Furthermore you can use them to keep the sun off during the day time and keep you warm during the evening chill.
Everyday Use
Always look stylish and elegant by using a bright or patterned pashmina even over a plain looking top. If it gets too warm you can also tie it around your waist, like a chic belt or hang it over your handbag.
At a Special Event
Add an x-factor to that little black dress, something that sets you apart from the crowd. Pick a pashmina that is vibrant and bright to offset the single tone of the rest of your outfit. As mentioned in a previous post, some celebrities never leave home without one and many wear them to award ceremonies.
Pashminas are the accessory of choice for celebs
Jessica Alba rarely leaves home without a pashmina or shawl. She is one of the many celebs who recognise a good pashmina in the perfect chic accessory for any outfit. Dressed down with jeans as Jessica displays with such style, or dressed up with a ball gown you can’t knock a pashmina or any scarf for their simple versatility.
Pashminas is the softest and finest wool available anywhere, therefore requiring special care. Pashmina is also unusually in the fact that it actually becomes softer and more comfortable the more it is worn, with proper care it can last generations and is ofter passed down from generation to generation.
Pashmina Care Instructions
The preferred methods for washing pashmina and cashmere is dry cleaning; however, one can hand wash on occasionally if special care is taken and the following guideline are taken. Never use a washing machine to wash a pashmina or cashmere.
- Use Cold water
- Add a small amount of soft detergent like baby shampoo
- Ensure the detergent is fully dissolved
- Gentle hand wash ensuring that if the pashmina has tassels are hand-tied
- Do not put it in the tumble dryer, do not hang dry, or put it on a radiator
- The pashmina should be rolled into a towel and press to remove any excess water
- The Lay the pashmina flat to dry
- Gently stretch your pashmina back to its original shape and allow it to air dry
- Once it has dried you can iron it however use a very low heat and use a clothe in between the iron and pashmina
It is also probably best to wash a pashmina as soon as you buy a new one so that the natural die does not bleed.
Pashmina Storage
The correct storage of a pashmina is also needed in order to retain their shape, texture and softness.
Fold the pashmina in tissue paper and use a plastic cover to protect from moisture, especially avoid storing it attics, ceilings or open shelves. It is best to store pashminas away from direct sunlight, moisture and of course moths. On occasion you can spray perfumes to remove the musty smell if unused for long periods.
