A Living Jacket

A Living Jacket - creating a craft of heritage, from the Waste Wool of the Himalayan goat

Long description

Pashmina shawls come from the fleece of high-altitude Himalayan Capra hircus goats, a special breed found in Tibet, Ladakh, and Nepal, known for their soft fibres. Mechanically produced Pashmina with synthetic fibres has undermined artisanal competition. To address this, we propose a new business model to provide alternative income for communities. By repurposing woven offcuts and guard hair, often discarded in Pashmina production, we aim to create felt jackets. This utilizes 97.6% of waste, contributing to sustainable practices. Central facilities gather waste wool for artisans to fashion jackets, integrating Ladakhi cultural motifs. A prototype, “The Living Jacket,” embodies Ladakh’s heritage, featuring designs inspired by traditional attire like “Mogos.
The demand for sustainable textiles makes felt an attractive choice for winter wear linings, jackets, and shoes. By utilizing waste wool, we can boost socioeconomic opportunities in Kashmir and close the loop in the Pashmina industry. Artisans stand to benefit from substantial profit margins as felting is cost-effective.