Woven and embroidered by master artisans in Kashmir, the Nowsheen Pashmina Shawl is part of a revival collection inspired by the artistry of traditional pashmina. The name “Nowsheen” is derived from Arabic, meaning “beautiful” or “new.”
This natural white shawl is made from the finest Ladakhi cashmere, hand-spun and handwoven using centuries-old techniques. Inspired by the revered Pang landscape, the shawl evokes one of Ladakh's most majestic places, a vista at 19,000 feet above the sea level which was once part of the seabed. The heart shape frequently used in Sozni embroidery connects the vines and flowers in this intricate pattern, creating the 'jaal' design.
The raw pashmina wool was sourced from Datt village in Changthang, where herds belong to Mr Tsering Angchuk. It was then washed, carded (on a six-stage Italian machine), and meticulously de-haired to separate the finest hairs of the pashmina fibres. The wool was hand-spun in Kashmir, where hand spinning is part of traditional culture, by Kashmir University master's student Hamida, who also distributes pashmina wool to women’s self-help groups. This process produces an incredibly fine and unbroken yarn, ranging in thickness from 110-140 English count. Without a 'carrier fibre', this would not be possible.
Master weaver Mr Abid Khan then hand-wove the fabric on a pit loom in Srinagar. With only two pit looms, it would have taken this skilled craftsman months to weave this extraordinary fabric. Mr Dar, a veteran artisan who has been hand embroidering shawls for 38 years, then embroidered the shawl in the Gulabdar (or Phooldar) style. Gulab means rose and Phool means flower. In this style of embroidery, the stitch length is longer than would normally be used in Sozni, and the Jamawar vines are filled with embroidered flowers.
With less embroidery than full Jamawar, Mem Jamawar features repeating floral patterns with open spaces. A popular design in the early 1900s, it made these shawls more accessible to the ‘common person’ and they were often given as wedding gifts or used as decorative heirlooms rather than clothing.
The final finishing was carried out by Mr Zakir Wani in Hawal, who carefully washed and prepared the shawl for its final form.
A piece of this beauty and craftsmanship befits a special occasion — and with its timeless craftsmanship and origins rooted in rich cultural tradition, this pashmina is a true piece of slow fashion that is destined to become a lasting and cherished heirloom passed down through generations.
Supplied with a copy of The Kashmir Shawl book, each piece is a unique link to the landscapes and lives behind its origin and creation.
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Size: 92 × 202 cm (36" × 79.5")
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Composition: 100% Cashmere, sourced in Ladakh from Grade A fibres
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Origin: Made in Kashmir
Product Care
Professional clean only.
Origin & Sustainability
This shawl embodies the principles of slow fashion — each stage, from sourcing to spinning, weaving and embroidery, is done by hand and can take months to complete. Every artisan involved brings years of skill, care and cultural heritage to the process.
Made from Grade A Ladakhi pashmina, this shawl uses one of the world’s finest natural fibres. Cashmere is not only supremely soft and warm, it is also renewable, biodegradable, and long-lasting — a conscious choice for those who value quality over quantity.
By supporting this craft, you help sustain traditional livelihoods and protect centuries-old skills and traditions. Read more on our Himalaya-based suppliers here.
