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The Pure Kashmir Journal

Stories from the Valley

The history, craft, and culture of Kashmiri Pashmina — written for those who want to understand what they are buying, and why it matters.

A Thoughtful Guide to Gifting Pashmina
Gift Guide

A Thoughtful Guide to Gifting Pashmina

There is a reason Pashmina has been gifted between royals, diplomats, and loved ones for six centuries. Here is how to choose the right one.

Read Article →5 min read
Where Pashmina Begins — The Changthang Plateau at 14,000 Feet
Heritage

Where Pashmina Begins — The Changthang Plateau at 14,000 Feet

Before there is a loom, before there is a thread, there is a goat standing in a snowfield at the edge of the world. This is where our story starts.

Read Article →7 min read
Eight Practical Ways to Wear a Pashmina Shawl
Style Guide

Eight Practical Ways to Wear a Pashmina Shawl

A single shawl, eight distinct looks. From boardroom to beach evening, here is how to get the most from one piece of handwoven Pashmina.

Read Article →6 min read
What Happens at the Loom — A Day with a Kani Weaver
The Craft

What Happens at the Loom — A Day with a Kani Weaver

We spent a day in a Kani weaving workshop in Srinagar. Here is what we learned about patience, precision, and the coded manuscripts that guide every thread.

Read Article →8 min read
How to Look After a Pashmina Shawl So It Lasts Decades
Care Guide

How to Look After a Pashmina Shawl So It Lasts Decades

Pashmina gets better with age — if you treat it right. Here are the simple rules that will keep your shawl beautiful for thirty years and beyond.

Read Article →5 min read
How We Think About Authenticity — And How You Can Verify Yours
Authenticity

How We Think About Authenticity — And How You Can Verify Yours

The Pashmina market has a counterfeiting problem. Here is our honest assessment of every common test — and what actually proves a shawl is real.

Read Article →7 min read
Pashmina, Cashmere, and Merino — Understanding the Differences
Buyer's Guide

Pashmina, Cashmere, and Merino — Understanding the Differences

These three words get used interchangeably in shops and online stores. They should not be. Here is what each one actually means.

Read Article →6 min read
The Pattern the World Borrowed — How Kashmir's Keri Became Paisley
Heritage

The Pattern the World Borrowed — How Kashmir's Keri Became Paisley

The most recognised textile motif in history is Kashmiri in origin. Here is the story of how a mango-shaped ornament travelled from Srinagar to Scotland.

Read Article →7 min read
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