As a fashion statement, the Jamavar had its heyday with the Victorians who built an industry around it with the cashmere mills of Paisley - from which the town got its name. Study many a Victorian portrait and the Jamavar is there as a prized possession around the shoulders of women of status often starved of colour and pattern in their other clothes.
In the modern world, what self respecting woman does not include a Pashmina in her wardrobe. The Jamavar is the Pashmina’s grown up sister – all the same finely woven lightness and warmth, but with added colour, beading and glamour.
Maya imports directly from the Kashmir region. They practice principles of Fair Trade that will support workers and families in a truly remote region of the world. Now that the terrible disaster of the earthquake has struck, that support is even more critical.
You can help too when you buy one of these beautiful works of art. Not only will you be acquiring your own family heirloom and piece of history, but you will directly be helping to support a struggling family in Kashmir.
Prices start from £75
Sizes vary but average is 200 cm x 70cm
Mail Order available on 02392 510844
Media enquires for further information or high resolution images available from mike@mayadesigns.co.uk 02392 510844

Maya is donating £10 to disaster relief for every Jamavar shawl sold.

The Jamavar shawl has been made in Kashmir for thousands of years. Jamavar’s are perhaps even now, one of the regions most prized possessions.

The Jamavar shawl was traditionally a much prized possession often taking many years to complete and handed down through families. A shawl would typically form part of the trousseau for an aristocratic girl when she married, being both a symbol of status as well as very useful protection in the cold of the high Himalaya.