Shawl Wallah, a new
organization working with local artisans out of Kashmir, India, is launching a
Kickstarter campaign to fund its line of ethically-produced, handmade Pashmina
shawls.
"The various families involved employ centuries-old
techniques in gathering, spinning, dyeing, and weaving the fine Pashmina
wool," says Greg Doudican, Founder of Shawl Wallah, "Making each
shawl a true work of art.”
The Kickstarter campaign, titled “Ethically Produced Pashmina
Shawls” (Link to be provided once campaign launches), will start September 3 – October 2, 2014. The goal is to
raise $25,000 for its Spring/Summer 2015 line.
"There’s been a lot of heart and soul put into Shawl Wallah since its inception in November 2013, but now we’re turning to the Internet to help take it to the next level," Doudican said, "We will offer superior quality products that people will love, while building social and economic stability in Kashmir.”
"There’s been a lot of heart and soul put into Shawl Wallah since its inception in November 2013, but now we’re turning to the Internet to help take it to the next level," Doudican said, "We will offer superior quality products that people will love, while building social and economic stability in Kashmir.”
Shawl Wallah came to fruition by accident. Working as a UN Refugee
Consultant in New Delhi, Doudican found himself in Kashmir, a region located in
Northern India that has endured decades of conflict, resulting in economic and
social devastation. Doudican learned about the traditional Kashmiri textile
industry, and its decline due to external pressures. "We have an ancient
industry, still producing the original Pashmina shawls, famous the world
over," Doudican explains. “Now due to mass-produced
foreign imports, this dying art form is often
duplicated yet never replicated in quality and beauty.”
From this, Doudican developed Shawl Wallah as a true social
enterprise. They’re committed to sourcing ethically-produced products, which
keeps craftsmen and craftswomen employed, and simultaneously preserves the art
of hand-weaving. This strategic
framework will, in turn, help promote sustainable
economic growth to the region.
Shawl Wallah is also committed to investing in the region's most
valuable resource – children. With each product sold, Shawl Wallah donates 20%
of the sale price to Save the Children India, which provides child protection and
education services in Kashmir.
"There are not many brands employing this type of business model in the fashion industry, and none doing so with Pashmina (or cashmere) shawls," Doudican said. "With Shawl Wallah, we hope to raise the bar on international trade, and become a model in conscious and responsible consumerism."
