Pashmina – India’s “Fabric of the Royals”

By July 24, 2011India, Posts

One of the goals of my India trip was to find a nice pashmina.  It seemed as though almost every woman I met who had traveled to India owned a beautiful pashmina.  While in Udaipur, my guide told me he had the perfect place for me to find my pashmina.  This guide also told me he was Madonna’s guide during her India visit and she found her pashmina at this same place, or so he said.

I figured it was worth going and taking a look.  When I stepped into Andraab boutique, I immediately saw about 10 Pashmina scarves that I wanted to take home with me and realized this wasn’t going to be an easy shopping visit.

Andraab is owned by three brothers Muzaffar, Mubashir and Muzakir, and they stand proud to showcase some of the finest cashmere – Pashminas.  One of the brothers explained, “Weaving of Pashmina began some 600 years ago in Kashmir Valley and has since been considered India’s Fabric of the Royals.  This luxurious fabric was favoured by maharajas for blankets, throws, bedcovers and shawls.  It is the weaving procedure of Pashmina which is unique to Kashmir.  Every step involved, from start to finish, is done entirely by hand.”

All of their products are hand woven and hand embroidered with great attention to craftsmanship and quality.  Andraab draws inspiration from traditional patterns dating back to the 15th century, when “the art of weaving and hand embroidery traveled from Persia to the Northern part of India.  Later, it flourished in the state of Jammu & Kashmir.”  Some of their unique  pieces can be seen at:  http://www.andraab.com/about2.html

If you are in India, stop at one of their stores in Jaipur, Udaipur and Delhi to find your one-of-a-kind Pashmina!