A shahtoosh shawl is arguably one of the most luxurious and classic pieces of clothing. It is an expensive, lightweight shawl made from the hair of a rare animal. But what kind of animal hair is used to make this unique item?
A shahtoosh shawl is a luxurious type of scarf or shawl made from the hair of a rare Tibetan antelope. The unique fabric of the shahtoosh shawl is incredibly soft and light, making it highly prized by fashion-conscious consumers around the world.
What Is a Shahtoosh Shawl?
A shahtoosh shawl is a type of scarf that has been around for centuries. It was first created in Kashmir, India and its name comes from two Persian words meaning “king of wool”.
The fabric itself is incredibly soft and lightweight, making it perfect for staying warm during cold weather. Traditionally, the weaving process takes anywhere between 6 months to 1 year to complete, making it a high-end and exclusive fashion item.
What Is a Tibetan Antelope?
The animal whose hair is used to make the shahtoosh shawl is known as the Tibetan antelope, or chiru.
This endangered species lives in large herds on the high plateaus of Tibet and northern India, where they migrate across vast distances in search of food and water. Chirus are covered in long, silky fur which can range in color from creamy white to golden brown.
It’s this fur that makes them an attractive target for poachers who sell their pelts on the black market for use in clothing and other products.
Shahtoosh Shawls Are Made From Fine Hair Fibers
The fur of the chiru has very fine fibers which make it particularly desirable for use in clothing items like shahtoosh shawls.
These fibers are incredibly soft and light, making them perfect for creating luxurious fabrics that are both warm and comfortable to wear.
The weaving process used to create these fabrics takes considerable skill, as each thread must be carefully selected and woven together by hand to ensure its quality and durability.
Today, shahtoosh shawls remain a highly coveted item among fashion-conscious consumers. But with the threat of extinction hanging over the chiru, it’s important to be mindful of where your shahtoosh shawl comes from and how you can help protect this important animal.
Are Pashmina and shahtoosh the same?
While pashmina and shahtoosh are similar, there are some key differences between them. Both materials have been used for centuries to create beautiful garments for royalty and the wealthy.
The term “pashmina” is derived from the Persian word “Pashm,” which means ‘wool’.
Pashmina is a type of wool made from the fur of the Himalayan mountain goat. It is soft to the touch and has excellent insulation properties, making it ideal for use in cold-weather clothing like sweaters and wraps.
It is also lightweight enough to be tucked away in a handbag or pocket if needed. The most common colors for pashmina are cream, gray, and brown but they can be dyed to create many other colors as well.
Shahtoosh is a type of wool derived from the Tibetan antelope or chiru. It has an even softer texture than pashmina and is incredibly lightweight, making it perfect for delicate items like scarves or stoles.
Shahtoosh is also much more expensive than pashmina due to its rarity and the restricted harvesting process required to collect it sustainably. Due to its high cost, shahtoosh often features luxurious embellishments such as gold threading or intricate patterns that can make any garment truly stand out from the crowd.
The weaving process used to create these fabrics is also slightly different. While pashmina shawls are made using a traditional hand-woven technique, shahtoosh is typically produced using an industrial machine weaving process.
Pashmina and shahtoosh are two very different materials, but they are both highly sought-after and used in the creation of high-end fashion items.
Final Thoughts
Shahtoosh shawls have been prized possessions since ancient times due to their luxurious feel and warmth-retaining properties.
They are made from the fine hairs of a rare Tibetan antelope known as chiru, which has been hunted almost to extinction by poachers looking to make a quick profit off its valuable pelt.
The fibers of these animals’ fur are incredibly soft and light, making them perfect for weaving into delicate fabrics such as those found in traditional shahtoosh shawls.
As such, they remain highly sought-after items among fashion-conscious consumers worldwide despite their illegal status in many countries due to their potential impact on endangered species populations.
