Pashmina Shawl Colour Crib Class of 2013! Pinks and Blues!

Continuing the line-up of shawl colours that were in stock at the end of 2013, we have the perennially popular colours for pashminas - pinks and blues.

These are always a safe bet when buying a gift... you tend to know if someone is a blue or pink person, but not whether they are an orange or purple! And within these colour ranges we find that Pale Blue or Navy are at the top of the list as safe choices for blues; and Pale Pink still reigns supreme as the classic pink pashmina shade. While writing this blog, I actually had a call this morning from a regular customer needing a pale pink as a gift for a friend.

Despite this winter being heralded as 'all about mid-tone pinks,' we didn't find that pinks were any more popular than usual.  This could very well turn out to be the story of next winter - very often colours take a season or two to seep into the collective consciousness and become The Thing to wear. It could herald the return of Fuchsia to our shawl stock.... I do hope so!

Pinks: Rosewood 179, Candy 19, Pale 18LL, Rose 215, and also Palest Peach 79-L, Cream 55-LL

These colour numbers relate to the dye charts that can be found in earlier blogs and give an idea how the dye chart thread colours appear in a full size shawl version.

 

Blues: Sky 348-L, Pale 48-LL, Steel 63-L, Navy 54-D, Electric 222 (un-named) and also Pewter Grey 34

 

to be continued.....

 

Pashmina Shawl Colour Crib Class of 2013! Oranges and Reds!

As we bound forward in 2014 and our Home Page changes to a Valentine theme, I feel it's useful to immortalise the 'mug shots' that I did for the Class of 2013.

I basically took a photo of each colour available in the Pashmina and Silk Shawl (70 x 180cms) size, for a special Christmas offer.   In tandem with the dye charts that appear on this blog (and will appear again, to bring them up the blog list), this gives a good look at how the colours from the dye chart look in the finished shawl. And applies to many other scarves, stoles and shawls too.

As the dye charts are primarily produced as guides to embroidery silk, the colours naturally change slightly when cashmere comes into the equation.  This is even more apparent on pure cashmere. Colours that zing out on silk thread are far more muted when absorbed by cashmere.

Add to this the fact that our shawls are hand-dyed and the colours are mixed by eye by the dye-masters, each batch of dyeing is then unique to that moment.  Occasionally we order a standard colour and when we receive it we realise that we have to order again - the dye master has gone too dark or too pale to hit that classic shade. The benefit to the pashmina lover is that a new shade is then available and the choice of colours grows.....

Here are the Oranges:  Burnt Orange 403,  Bright Orange 62D (Unlabelled), Terracotta 402, Pale Coral 291

and the reds... Chilli 131,  Ruby 242, Bright Red 25 (Unlabelled) and Blush Red 130.

More colours to follow next week...

Pink Pashmina Shawls - it's pink, pink and pink again in Autumn 2013

If you're a girly girl or not, there's a pink to suit you this season. Dusky, Candy, Fuchsia or the palest whisper pink, get ready right now for the Autumn/Winter 13/14 trend.... Team with black, brown, dark reds and if you're daring, a lovely terracotta orange.  Here are some pashmina and silk shawls that are currently in stock. Enjoy!

 

l-r Plain Shawl - Pale Pink, Rose Pink, Peony Pink, Powder Pink, Shocking Pink 

 

Top : Starlight Scarf - Candy Pink;  Bottom: Starlight Shawl l-r Rose Pink, Raspberry Pink

Top : Beaded Fringe Shawl - Pale Pink;   Bottom l-r Fuchsia Pink, Raspberry Pink

 

Bargain Box Beauties - Chiffon and Linen for summer

We're rummaging through our bargain box again, and this time we've found two shawls that are perfect for the summer.

Our super large chiffon shawls are a perennial favourite and here's a chance to grab one at a low price.  This is the last shaded Daffodil yellow colour way in stock, and it has  a couple of tiny marks mid-centre of the shawl. Not a problem if you buying for yourself!  This is  a versatile holiday shawl that is large and floaty enough to tie over a bikini by day, and work as a wrap at night.  http://www.pashminasdirect.co.uk/Details.asp?ProductID=361

This glorious fuchsia linen shawl is Italian made and was a style sample. It's not been worn and there are no faults. A real find in the bargain box.... http://www.pashminasdirect.co.uk/Details.asp?ProductID=86

Chiffons for Summer 2013

Summer keeps threatening to appear and even if the skies are gloomy in the UK, we can still prepare for sunshine, sea and sand. For this very reason, this month we've got our 100% silk chiffon shawls on special offer.  They are a really versatile piece in a large width (125 x 200cms) that allows them to be worn in a variety of ways - for ideas check out my blog (1st May 2009) - and they can be as subtle or as bold as you dare. An on-trend combination for SS13 is the Lemon to Royal Blue. I spied a stunning display  this week that teamed these two colours with white.  Get the look and make an impact!

    Black to White,   Aqua to Coral,  Café au Lait to paler,  Pale Blue to paler,  Turquoise to paler,  Lemon to Royal Blue,  Orange to Lime ,  Lemon to Lime.   Delicious!

Jacquards gems - unearth a little pashmina treasure!

Jacquard weave shawls can  be an unappreciated bunch, but if you want a flattering pashmina that combines classic good looks with a bit of pizzazz, then look no further.
After all, this technique created a textile revolution when it was introduced in the early 1800s and we know that the Georgians had an eye for style!

Special looms are required for the jacquard weave and setting up each weaving pattern can be a time consuming process for complicated bespoke weaves. This is a shawl that requires some effort! The threads pass through a pattern card above the loom, and the holes that they pass through determines their position on the finished design.
This can give different effects - for example the increased texture as well as the visual impact of the chevron striped herringbone jacquard. You can see the silk threads catching the light on their chevron - the cashmere chevrons alternate with them. http://www.pashminasdirect.co.uk/Details.asp?ProductID=179 This weave is also available in the 45 x 180cms size in Rainbow Stripe PD056 and on the Men's page PD056M in various colourways

One of the most femine and traditional patterns is the flower jacquard, seen here in a lightweight summer weave. The flowers are subtly picked out in silk on one side and in cashmere on the reverse - the pattern just shows as a whisper as the shawl moves. Only one of each colour is currently available  http://www.pashminasdirect.co.uk/Details.asp?ProductID=213

Our lovely Heraldry weave is a big bold sweeping fleur de lys that runs the length of the shawl. Here you can see the detail of the design which is hinted at when it is worn. The flashes of light and shade in such a large jacquard break up the block colour of the shawl and give a luxurious effect. This Navy Blue is new to our stock and it suits this jacquard weave perfectly. It is  a dark and true navy that is darker than it appears on this picture which I have highlighted so that the weave is obvious.     http://www.pashminasdirect.co.uk/Details.asp?ProductID=614   This shawl is also available in Terracotta, Brick Red and Chestnut Brown under code PD100 and with a short fringe in Pale Lilac or Pewter Grey PD100SF.                      

Pashminas for SS13 Citus colours

 http://www.pashminasdirect.co.uk/Details.asp?ProductID=115 Pashmina cashmere and Silk Shawl with Beaded Tassels Bright Orange PD061  70 x 180cms
http://www.pashminasdirect.co.uk/Details.asp?ProductID=181 Pashmina cashmere and Silk 'Starlight' Scarf with Swarovski Crystals Elderflower Yellow PD060SC  30 x 150cms

 http://www.pashminasdirect.co.uk/Details.asp?ProductID=14 Pashmina cashmere and Silk Shawl -Plain with long twisted fringe Bright Orange and Kiwi Green PD003 70 x 180cms

http://www.pashminasdirect.co.uk/Details.asp?ProductID=486 Pashmina cashmere and Silk Shawl with torn fringe Carnival lime 70 x 180cms PD003CL
http://www.pashminasdirect.co.uk/Details.asp?ProductID=484 Pashmina cashmere and Silk Shawl with short tied fringe Carnival Chartreuse Green 70 x 180cms (top) PD003CCG

Popping out amongst the neutrals shades this Spring 2013 are some lovely citrus highlights. Predominantly vibrant shades of yellowy green or orange, they kick away the gloom of our winter wardrobes and offer the hope that summer might be round the corner...
Even in fashion we have to face reality occasionally - especially when we're freezing in the still wintry wind; so here are some fashion colours from among our collection to keep you warm as well as on trend. Why should we always suffer for The Look?