The living archive: memory, design-innovation and cross-cultural life of the pashmina shawls
Cashmere; craft; culture; design; pashmina shawl
This research explores the history and modern developments within the realm of pashmina shawl craftsmanship. It explores these shawls over time and influences on their design and craftsmanship used in their construction. From their influences rooted in artistic traditions to the challenges they face today. This research explores the evolution of design, with the adoption of floral patterns prevalent in seventeenth-century India by Kashmiri designers and tracing the subsequent development of a distinctive visual language characterized by innovative adaptations. It examines contemporary trends in the industry, illustrating how traditional craftsmanship has adapted to meet the demands of contemporary fashion. Through this analysis, the research aims to provide valuable insights into the enduring allure and evolving nature of the pashmina shawl art. The article discusses how artisans often hesitate to adopt new designs due to concerns about the time and effort involved in crafting these artefacts. However, there is a willingness among artisans to collaborate with professional designers, offering hope for the conservation of pashmina designs and crafting. Today, these shawls continue to connect the past and the present, it reveals how innovation and adaptation have always been central to the craft. In the present, this legacy is kept alive as artisans reimagine heritage patterns for contemporary audiences. 2025 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
Restricted Access; Hardcopy may be available in the library
https://doi.org/10.1080/13504630.2025.2578021 https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105020926898?origin=resultslist
Bhat T., English and Cultural studies, CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Bangalore, India