Designer Geethica Naidu talks about her debut collection, Pashm, tracing the journey of Pashmina from the high altitudes of Ladakh to her studio in Bengaluru
The Hindu
The collection was inspired by the uniqueness of the fibre and a deep curiosity to understand Pashmina’s origins and the life of nomadic communities. It was created to honour their way of life and bring their story to the forefront through design.
Bengaluru-based designer Geethica Naidu’s debut collection, Pashm, is an ode to the breathtaking landscapes and rich nomadic heritage of Ladakh. The use of pashmina offers a glimpse into the rich, traditional craftsmanship of the region.
The collection was inspired by the uniqueness of the fibre and a deep curiosity to understand Pashmina’s origins and the life of nomadic communities. It was created to honour their way of life and bring their story to the forefront through design.
Pashm includes trench coats, long vest dresses, pleated skirts and fitted blazer jackets, with a colour palette with dominant shades of brown, in keeping with the undyed natural hues of pashmina wool.
Speaking to Geethica from her studio AME in Mathikere in Bengaluru, feels like an extension of her collection, from walls displaying photographs of her nomadic journey to a loom centrepiece, the studio is where the visitors can get a glimpse of the nomadic life of Ladakh as well as her collection.
Elaborating on the collection, Geethica traced the fascinating journey of pashmina — from the high-altitude landscapes of Leh to her studio in Bengaluru.
The story of pashmina, starts from the mighty Himalayas, amidst the rugged terrains of Kharnak, 1400 feet above sea level. Here, a small community of nomadic herders have been tending to the rare and unique Changthangi goats for generations, apart from their flocks of sheep and yak.
In the extreme cold of Himalayan winters, the Changthangi goats grow a warm undercoat — a soft protective layer that sustains them through the harshest months. “It is this protective layer that becomes the finest cashmere,” says Geethica.
