purity of cashmere

Fibres

Fibres for ahilya shawls and blankets come from the under-fleece of the changhthangi goat. Nomadically herded at 12-13,000 feet, the highest farmable height in the Kashmiri Himalayas, the changthangi requires the warmth of one of the softest fibres in the animal kingdom.

The foundation of all ahilya production is a small, dedicated supply base that draws on generations of ancestral skill in preserving these special fibres' natural length, strength and beauty. Hand combed from the goat, hand spun into the finest yarns, yarn dyed and hand woven into the finest textile.

It is crucial to use the correct fibres, but the...

preciousness of a shawl lies also in the fineness of the spinning and weave.




Tender Loving Cashmere Care

True Kashmiri shawls do not require intensive cleaning, and acquire an individual lustre with age. Gently maintained, they should last a lifetime. Our experience suggests that you follow the guidelines below to care for your ahilya shawl or blanket. Followed carefully, they will ensure that your shawl ages beautifully into the heirloom it deserves to become:

• We recommend a simple organic soap,
such as Marseilles vegetable soap

• Hand wash in water no more than 30°C

• Any stubborn marks may be treated with soap before immersion, but soaking is not recommended as it may affect colour

• Never wring, twist, tumble dry, spin dry or vigorously rub your scarf

• Never use bleach

• Your scarf should be dried flat,
away from direct heat or sunlight

• Cool iron under a linen cover

• Metallic fibres in the Ultimate or Ethereal collections should not be ironed

• Lace scarves and special trims should be dry cleaned infrequently

• We do not recommend excessive dry cleaning, or the use of commercial detergents, both of which can be detrimental to pure cashmere fibre

Eternal quality

If your scarf has been torn or pulled please contact ahilya. We can send it to Kashmir where dedicated darners will re-weave into the damage. This can take several months and prices vary depending on the extent of the work.

For more information on caring for cashmere, please do not hesitate to contact ahilya.

superlatively luxurious. This season, the use of delicate oxidised chains, faceted globes, geometric and botanic lace sequences and ultra-loose weaves suggest a romantic, fiercely adventurous mood, taking the shawl beyond accessory into statement.

Ahilya 2010