In recent years, there have been local efforts underway in Ladakh to reclaim ownership of the pashmina trade following centuries of outside dominance, particularly from Kashmir. Multiple ventures in the region are moving into the production of finished products since most of the value is locked higher up in the supply chain.

One such venture is the all-women Leh-based startup called Lena Ladakh Pashmina, which calls itself a “slow-textile label that crafts pashmina products in small batches, where each stage of textile production is carried by hand from spinning to dyeing to weaving.”

Established in 2016 by Sonam Angmo and Stanzin Minglak, the startup has two key objectives:

1) Making apparel in a distinctly Ladakhi manner from spinning with a willow spindle instead of a Charkha, plying with the same spindle, and hand-weaving to dyeing the yarns with locally-found herbs, while ensuring that revenue from the pashmina trade stays local.

2) A commitment towards putting into practice the dying traditional skill of making textiles by hand, while also providing a sustainable and dignified source of livelihood for women from these communities, who for generations have quietly kept these skills alive.

Silk Road Spaceship is delighted to collaborate with LENA and help them advance thier mission. 

Returns on unworn items gladly accepted within 30 days of purchase.  Buyer to pay return shipping costs.

The ladies at LENA advise that unless it is really dirty, the longer you go without washing your pashmina, the better it is. You can dry clean your pashmina or hand wash it in cold water with your favorite organic soap. Press the excess water out, do not wring or twist. Lay flat to dry. 

The use of natural indigo is very rare in today’s time. Since its discovery about 5000 years ago, indigo it has not failed to fascinate us with its mysterious way of changing shades continuously, ageing and wearing away. Just like us humans. At each stage of its life, it surprises us with a truly unique shade of blue. This quality of Indigo and appreciation for handmade crafts has once again brought this mysterious colour to the fore. Like the colour of the sky and sea, natural Indigo is very much living around us. From being revered almost magical qualities, to a central role in slavery and colonisation, to it’s resurgence in sustainable fashion, the history of indigo is worth getting acquainted with.