Art

15^th century Europe was for very long time the center of cultural expression and high-living. At the heart of this was the masquerade ball (or bal masqué). These events were grand affairs and participants attended wearing costumes and the all-important mask.

The masks themselves were quite elaborate, but they represented something much deeper. You see, masquerade balls were attended almost exclusively by the upper classes. The masks were effectively a way for the very wealthy to have a playful time behind a mask and a costume. These special events became so elaborate that entire regions of Europe developed their branded masquerades. One of these famous masquerades belonged to the ducal court of Burgundy.

French Masquerade Costume 18th Century Ball Dress Fashion – Chromolithograph – Circa 1876

Today masquerades have lost some of its exclusive luxury appeal but it is still a part of the upper classes. But they are now a bigger part of most societies and the cultural landscape. This is a good thing, because it means at least, that anyone with a desire for luxurious enjoyment and playfulness can enjoy the delights of a masquerade.

The Kashmir Company is committed to spreading cultural elegance and is proud to introduce our latest shawl collection. The founder believes that given the rich history behind masquerades—luxury, elegance and its royal connections—masquerade was a fitting name with which to delight shawl lovers.

Frontière Jardin Noir Mascarade Shawl – Seasons – Kashmir Company

We think you’ll agree once you take a good look at the shawls in the collection. The collection is designed to give you that thrill, that exclusive mystic enjoyed by French royalty.

Each shawl in the French Masquerade collection has been given a distinct elaborate treatment. The exquisite embroidery acts as a fitting motif which delicately runs along the border of each shawl. This design and arrangement of the world-renown Kashmiri patterns adds a luxurious touch to each shawl and makes for a delightful wearing experience.

Trois Frontière Pavot Rouge Mascarade Shawl – Seasons – Kashmir Company

The delicate cashmere with which each shawl is made adds that extra touch and wearing one gives you an intensified feeling of yourself. It’s not exactly an out of body experience, but it is akin to taking a magical journey in time back to the heyday of French royalty and aristocracy. This is the effect of the Masquerade shawl collection and quite frankly, it is the strongest appeal to the whole collection.

Frontière Jardin D’ivoire Mascarade Shawl – Seasons – Kashmir Company

Just by looking at a shawl from the connection and you can see the transformative power of wearing one. And did we mention that these shawls have a tendency to make its wearer exude greater than normal levels of confidence? In fact, we believe the power of each shawl in the French Masquerade collection is its ability to transform your mood, lift your spirit and deliver a deep sense of personal freedom. Things members of the privilege upper classes needed a mask in order to possess.

Rouge de Paisley Frontière Noir Mascarade Shawl – Seasons – Kashmir Company

So, whether you are looking to reconnect with a timeless display of luxury or you simply want the aesthetic appeal of a wonderful fashion accessory, a shawl from the Masquerade shawl collection will help you.

You can enjoy the intensifying feeling of the French Masquerade shawl collection by clicking here.

Two Sisters or On the Terrace is an 1881 oil-on-canvas painting by French artist Pierre-Auguste Renoir. The title Two Sisters (French: Les Deux Sœurs) was given to the painting by Renoir, and the title On the Terrace (French: Sur la terrasse) — by its first owner Paul Durand-Ruel.

The impressionists left an indelible mark on fine art and no one impressionist painter was able to do this on a grand scale like Pierre-Auguste Renoir. His On the Terrace, oil on canvas, 1881 sits as one of the most enduring pieces from the artistic bravery of the time and if you’ve been blessed to see it in person then you no doubt have an appreciation for his work. This is the backdrop for the fabulous pieces in the Kashmir Seasons Renoir collection of shawls and scarves.

“I refuse to paint the world black,” declares Pierre-Auguste Renoir (the great French actor Michel Bouquet) in “Renoir,” Gilles Bourdos’s compassionate late-life portrait of this French Impressionist painter.

Inspired by the travels of the company’s founder, the Renoir dream shawl collection is a display of the fusion of the timeless and artistic qualities of the great painter, with the boundless artistic brilliance of Kashmiri artisans. These artisans have been creating fashion nirvana for the world for hundreds of years. No less than Napoleon Bonaparte selected Kashmiri shawls as gifts for his wife—the beautiful and sophisticated Empress Josephine. These timeless pieces are now yours to choose from.

Garden Glade Renoirs Dream Kashmir Shawl – Renoir’s Dream Shawl Collection – Seasons – Kashmir Company

The artistic lines of reality have been blurred quite deliberately with this collection. You see the founder wants you to have an almost magical experience from wearing one of these shawls. His travels to the world famous Louvre and Legion of Honor in France taught him the value and the power of art and fashion. This power can now be yours. Imagine having that life changing experience that comes with wearing a piece of fashion brilliance which gives you instant credibility with all you come in contact with. Imagine being the centre of attraction at your next dinner party. Why, all you have to say when you are asked about your shawl or scarf is one word: Renoir!

Garden Glade Renoirs Dream Shawl – Renoir’s Dream Shawl Collection – Seasons – Kashmir Company

Capri Breeze Renoirs Dream Shawl – Renoir’s Dream Shawl Collection – Seasons – Kashmir Company

The colors in the collection would make Renoir proud. From rich cobalts to delightful and delectable orange, you are guaranteed to have a visual and aesthetic feast, the likes you may not have seen in fashion for quite a long time. But these shawls and scarves are much more than that. They are a dedication to the centuries-old art of Kashmiri shawl-making and the inspired quest for luxury and passion. Qualities we are sure define your tastes and reality. What better way to honor those traits than with the art and embroidery which inform each piece in the Renoir shawl and scarf collection.

Celestial Ivory Garden Renoirs Dream Shawl – Renoir’s Dream Shawl Collection – Seasons – Kashmir Company

From now on your wardrobe will have a new lease on life; a breath taking hold on the world of high fashion. Enchant your audience and woo any crowd with a piece from this collection.

Celestial Blue Garden Renoirs Dream Shawl – Renoir’s Dream Shawl Collection – Seasons – Kashmir Company

Click here to browse the Renoir’s Dream Shawl and Scarf collection >>>

Je Ne Sais Quoi Aspen Green Shawl

Aspen green for a timeless you. Express your joy for spring with the Je Ne Sais Quoi Aspen Green Shawl.

http://www.kashmirseasons.com/collections/je-ne-sais-quoi-shawl-collection/products/je-ne-sais-quoi-aspen-green-shawl

Art Lovers Shawl Pashmina Jamawar Hand Embroidered Shawl

 

Skilled embroidery still alive in Kashmir

Featured Shawl: Art Lovers Pashmina Jamawar Shawl

The Helen of Troy Pashmina Jamawar Shawl

Shawls by their own incarnation are grand pieces of Art — items worthy of both wearing & collecting.

Featured Shawl: The Helen of Troy Pashmina Jamawar Shawl

Shawls by their own incarnation are grand things—items worthy of both wearing and collecting. But few shawls evoke the grandeur and splendour of shawl-making like the Jamawar. The Kashmir Valley is the birthplace of these highly sought after treasures where highly skilled artisans have been making them for hundreds of years.

The Return to Timelessness Jamawar Pashmina Shawl

 Shawls by their own incarnation are grand things—items worthy of both wearing and collecting

Today the tradition continues and the so-called ‘magic weave’ of fine Jamawar shawl making is helping to keep the tradition alive in Kashmir. To some people who are not experts on the fine art of shawl-making, Jamawar shawls struggle to capture their imagination. It is only after they discover that pure Jamawar shawls take sometimes years to make. When things are done right and every ounce of effort and detail is put into a Jamawar shawl, the front and back of such a shawl is virtually indistinguishable. As a consequence these types of Jamawar shawls are highly collectible and have become symbols of timeless fashion.

The Reflection Jamawar Pashmina Shawl

Skilled embroidery still alive in Kashmir

One of the difficulties people seeking authentic antique Jamawar shawls have is that in recent years the industry and the fine art of shawl making has been compromised by cheap materials and machine-driven manufacturing. There are few companies proving their commitment to keeping the art form pure and true and the Kashmir Company is proud to be one of them. Through our deep commitment we’ve been able to help bring authentic Jamawar shawl designs to collectors and shawl wearers all over the world.

The Guinevere’s Jade Jamawar Pashmina Shawl

Our finest pieces, such as the Guinevere’s Jade Jamawar Shawl are one of a kind and once sold are never replicated again.  Whether you are collector or someone conscious of high fashion looking to drape a Jamawar shawl over your shoulder you can’t go wrong by looking at our selection. Click here to see our exquisite Jamawar shawl collection.

Own your slice of exquisite history

Valentine Rose – Leech Raymond 1949

February 14 is around the corner—again, and if you are like most partners, you are busy thinking about what gifts to get your other half. Since getting it wrong is not an option, we thought we’d put together this handy little guide so that come February 15^th, you can at least look your other half in the eye and keep love brewing for the rest of 2013. So, without any rambling, here are five awesome ideas for selecting the perfect Valentine’s Day gift.

Tip #1 – Get the day marked on your digital calendar 

The Renewal Shawl

We all lead busy lives and whether you’re a man looking to get something for a woman or vice versa, the daily hustle and bustle can lead you strapped for time. Aiming off here is key and so the first thing one should do is make a list of key dates in the timeline that will influence the day itself. Let’s say for example you’ve decide to get the Spiced Sausalito Shawl for her this Valentine’s Day, you’d need to order it in good time to ensure delivery before the big day. Most online merchants have fast shipping as part of their sales process but this means nothing unless you aim off properly.

Tip #2 – Strike the right balance

Depending on the stage of your relationship with that special someone, your efforts this year will and should be tailored accordingly. This means choosing the right Valentine’s Day gift to match the status of the relationships. If you’ve got lots of cash on hand and want to make a big “I love you” statement, then getting something greater than your run of the mill flowers and candy might be necessary. On the other hand, if things are just developing, you want to keep your gift in line with where things are at. For this purpose, functional gifts like scarves, shoes or handbags are suitable. They say “I care” without making too much of a push for massive reciprocation.

Tip #3 – Tread carefully where lingerie is concerned 

The Christmas Story Shawl

Valentine’s Day is associated with romance for sure and lots of men focus on one type of gift round about this time of year—lingerie. While it may be tempting to rush down to a nearby Victoria’s Secret and get something sexy for her, it bears to remember that Valentine’s Day is more about her and very little about you. Women especially like to boast about what they got on Valentine’s Day and often this involves taking the stuff to work and showing to it friends. Something sexy and discreet may not be ideal for that so keep that in mind when contemplating lingerie.

Tip #4 – If all else fails at least get a card

For people on a budget or those who have a tough time selecting gifts, it helps to remember that Valentine’s Day is a day for doing at least one thing—you simply can’t afford to let the day pass without at least one gesture. To that end, you should get at Valentine’s Day card at a minimum. You know your partner better than anyone so don’t hesitate to pick a card that conveys all the emotions expected of the moment. Funny or witty cards always do the trick and the time-tested cupid-laden Valentine’s Day card has never failed.

Tip #5 – Create a lessons-learned file 

Walk in the Headlands Shawl

This last tip is perhaps the most enduring and followed correctly, you can have smooth-sailing Valentine’s Day gift selection for years to come. The idea is to keep a personal note of the hiccups you have when you select gifts for your partner. It’s not enough to keep it in your head—that won’t help since little details will be forgotten. What didn’t she like about the gift last year? Was it the colour, the size of the gift? All these details must be recorded. When it comes to selecting that gift next year all you have to do is reference your lessons learned file and you’ll be good to go.

So there you go; five super tips to get your mind buzzing with gift ideas this Valentine’s Day. Don’t forget that your search for the perfect gift doesn’t have to be long and painful. The Kashmir Company stocks a wide selection shawls and scarves which have been making perfect Valentine’s Day Gifts for well over 300 years. You can pick up a shawl or scarf from anyone of our flagship online stores where fantastic gifts abound.

To browse our Kashmir Seasons Collection click here. Or click here to browse the wide selection from the Kashmir Company line.

Last but not least leave a tip or a comment below. We’d love to hear from you.

Painting courtesy – British impressionist painter | Raymond Leech 1949
All other media © copyright – The Kashmir Company