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Designer Sarees


Designer sarees are an ode to Indian culture, tradition, and fashion. They are crafted with complex detailing, perfect cuts, and exquisite embroidery work that gives them a unique look. Our Indian designer sarees come in different styles ranging from traditional to modern, making them suitable for any occasion.

Indian designer sarees are typically worn for special occasions such as weddings, receptions, and formal events. They are considered to be an elegant and sophisticated form of attire and are favored by women who want to make a statement with their clothing.

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Indian designer sarees are designed from a wide range of luxurious fabrics such as pure silk, chiffon, georgette, crepe, and satin, among others, and are embellished with intricate embroidery, sequins, beadwork, and other decorative elements.

Shop from the best Indian sarees online from Pure Elegance as we offer an extensive range of designer sarees made from the finest fabrics and embellishments. Our designer saree collection includes handwoven Banarasi brocades, kanchipuram silk sarees, Patola Silk sarees, Chanderi fabric sarees, Jamdani cotton sarees to name a few.

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There are numerous styles and variations of Indian sarees available, with each designer adding their own unique touch to the garment. Some popular Indian saree styles include Bollywood-inspired sarees, traditional Indian sarees with modern twists, fusion sarees that blend Indian and Western styles, and contemporary sarees that feature unconventional drapes and designs.

Whether you are looking for something to wear to a special occasion or just want to add a touch of elegance to your wardrobe, Indian sarees online in the USA make an impression. You can now shop for exclusive designer Indian sarees online in the USA through Pure Elegance. Choose from a variety of colors and styles for your perfect Indian sarees online in USA at Pure Elegance!

Everything you need to know about Pashmina

Pashm is a Persian word that means "wool" or "inner layer of hair," meaning soft and shiny. In Kashmir, pashm is the raw unspun wool of domesticated Changthangi (Ladakh Pashmina) goats. However, today Pashmina refers to the material or the type of the Kashmiri shawl made from it. Pashmina clothing and accessories are known for their softness and warmth. 

Traditional pashmina fabric is a 70% pashmina/30% silk blend, but a 50/50 mix is common. The 70/30 blend is tightly woven, has an elegant sheen, and drapes nicely, is quite soft and light-weight.

Pashmina wool is blended with fine silk to form pashmina silk. Original pashmina sarees have a soothing shade with Kashida's detailed embroidery, giving it a very lustrous and glossy look. Women love to wear printed pashmina silk sarees at festivals and celebrations. The fabric looks perfect for all age-groups. The smooth texture of pure Kashmiri pashmina saree is what makes them globally popular.

The major center of Pashmina fabric production is in the old district of Srinagar, in India.

 

History of Pashmina

During the Mughal Era, Pashmina was used as an indicator of rank and nobility. In 1568, when Akbar from the Mughal Empire conquered Kashmir, a pair of pashmina shawls was considered a part of khil’at (robes of honor) ceremonies. Pashmina cashmere shawls were first woven by the Mogul craftsmen for Emperor Akbar to give his chosen wives.

Gradually from the 16th century to the early 20th century, other rulers like the Safavid, Zand, and Qajar emperors of Iran started wearing Pashmina and gifted them as khil’at within their political and religious ranks. In the early 19th century, traditional Pashmina shawls were a favorite of Empress Josephine, wife of Napoleon Bonaparte.

The 19th-century writings show that despite pashmina shawls were worn by men, they became branded as women’s luxuries and acquired the status of heirlooms. They were worn by girls “coming of age” by women at their wedding. They began to be considered as heirlooms that women would inherit rather than purchase. Pashmina blankets were also used as dowry among the wealthy in Kashmir.

In France, the Kashmiri Pashmina shawl earned status as a fashion symbol through Empress Josephine’s enthusiastic use. These shawls favored the French well providing the much-needed warmth while adding a visual to the white French gowns with the traditional teardrop Buta pattern and discreet floral motifs. The shawl became a symbol of French bourgeois status from the Bourbon Restoration (1815-48) through the Second French Empire (1852-70). It was considered a “class maker” because of its rich, extensive ornamentation, and artistic qualities.

Pashmina is perhaps the only fiber for which invasions were planned, and treaties were signed to control its trade. The pashm business was shielded from any political controversies by the various treaties signed, which resulted in the industry's prospering in the late 19th century.

 

Production of Pashmina Fibre

Pashmina is spun from the lower undercoat of the Himalayan mountain goat, based in the high altitudes- above 15,000ft, the colder the conditions, and the better the wool's quality. 

On average, human hair is 75 microns thick. A super Grade A pashmina is 12 microns thick, i.e., the best quality pashmina is 6 times finer than a human hair! One goat produces enough wool for a scarf, and three goats must be combed to make a pashmina shawl. The goats used for Pashmina shed their winter coat naturally every spring, known as molding season, and regrow in the winter. One goat sheds approximately 3-6 ounces of fiber. The goats are then combed to collect the undercoat.

Pashmina wool is traditionally produced in the Ladakh region of the Himalayas by a nomadic tribe known as Changpa. They inhabit the Changthang plateau of Tibet. This region has the lowest altitude of 13,500 feet above sea level, and a winter temperature drops up to -40°C. The Changpa rear sheep in these harsh climates for meat and pashmina goats for wool.

During the severe winters, the Changthangi goats grow a thick undercoat of very fine & warm fibers under their coarse outer layer of fur to survive the chilly winters. This fine fiber, called “pashm,” is shed by these goats during spring when it gets harvested by the Changpa tribe.

 The central hub of pashmina fabric production is in the old district of the city of Srinagar. The raw Pashmina is exported to Kashmir, where specialized craftsmen and women traditionally handcraft all the steps. These steps include removing impurities and guard hair, aligning fibers, spinning, weaving, and finishing. The approximate time put into producing a single traditional pashmina stole (70x200cm) is 180 hours.

 

Difference between pashmina and cashmere

Both Cashmere and Pashmina come from the same goat. Still, general Cashmere ranges from 12–21 microns in diameter, whereas Pashmina refers only to those fibers that range from 12–16 microns.

How to know if it is authentic?

The fiber content of any item marketed as Pashmina is always accurately divulged by the Wool Act or domestic regulations, either in a tag or the holding box. A mix of cashmere and silk might be labeled 50% Cashmere, 50% Silk, or 70% Cashmere, 30% Silk, depending upon the actual fabric content. If the item contains only cashmere, it should be labeled "100% Pashmina" or "All Cashmere."

Traditional Pashmina shawls are handwoven, and the quality depends upon the making process. Handmade pashmina products are finer, tight, warm, and more luxurious than machine-made pashmina products. Also, pure Pashmina is difficult to be machine-spun because of its fine quality. 

To spot a machine-made wrap, notice the fringe base: machines make an unnaturally straight edge. Furthermore, machine-made pashmina shawls are mixed with nylon or angora because pure Pashmina is too weak to sustain mechanical weaving strain. Once the shawl is ready, it is dipped in an acid wash to remove the synthetic fiber, which may tear down the protein contained in pashmina fiber. A traditional handloom "weaving process" takes 3-5 days, whereas it takes five minutes on a power loom.

 

Handling and washing directions

Dry cleaning is preferred for safe washing of pashmina. However, one can hand wash the fabric occasionally if followed the guidelines carefully.

    • Use cold water (DO NOT use hot water)
    • Add a little soft detergent (preferably baby shampoo), and dissolve it completely.
    • Wash the pashmina very gently while being very careful with the hand-tied tassels, if any
    • After washing, lie is as flat as possible (DO NOT wring dry or hang in direct sunlight)
    • Once dry, use a warm iron on it. Put a piece of paper or cloth between the iron and the fabric.

If using a washing machine, select the “delicate cycle”, with cold water and low spin. Still, it is recommended not to use a washing machine.

It is also advised to always store pashmina folded or rolled wrapped in a muslin cloth. In rare cases of wrinkles hang it up and let them fall out.

 

Why is Pashmina Unique?

One of the amazing things about having a pashmina accessory is that it can last for years and years if taken good care. It will even get softer and more luxurious with each wash!

Pashmina accessories are prized for their softness and warmth. They are available as different sizes of scarves, shawls, wraps, and even traditional Indian sarees.

 

Pashmina in Bollywood

The elite Bollywood celebrities wear Pashmina to portray their class of sophistication with a hint of humbleness.

Late Bollywood actress Sridevi Kapoor sported an elegant and sophisticated look in a Pashmina velvet saree for Indian Cricketer Virat Kohli’s wedding reception. She matched her saree with a black velvet high neck blouse with gold studded embroidery and a stunning jewellery set.

 

Bollywood Actor Shilpa Shetty did a photoshoot wearing a gorgeous black velvet and pashmina saree with specially woven antique Tilla Zari. She paired her saree with a long-sleeved black tight fit blouse and a black clutch handbag.

 

Legendary Bollywood actor, Amitabh Bachchan is known for his love for shawls. He was spotted by paparazzi wrapped in a fine Kani pashmina shawl at his movie Wazir’s trailer launch. 

 Pic courtesy:

https://in.pinterest.com/pin/752734525191799230/

https://in.pinterest.com/pin/752734525191938787/

https://in.pinterest.com/pin/736127501562888603/