The Merits of a Paisley Pashmina

No girl can deny that there are a few fashion staples that are quite simply a must-have item. The obligatory skinny black jeans, a white shirt (preferably by Anne Fontaine) a pair of tan knee high boots, the Little Black Dress….the list goes on. A fashionable fact that is frequently forgotten is the faithful pashmina. Nothing can pull a look together like a paisley pashmina. Forget notions of shawl wearing frumpy horse lovers and embrace silky excess.A pashmina is the name given to uber-fine cashmere. The making of pashminas in Kashmir dates back to 3000 years B.C. (that’s Before Christ, not Calvin). Designed for the rich and privileged this Royal, luxurious fabric has a Himalayan history and a half. Hell, if it’s good enough for Marie Antoinette and Caesar, then count me in. Not since Proactiv Solution has there been such a creditable celebrity product endorsement. With over 200 hours of labour I feel I owe it to the crafty Kashmiri’s to wear my pashmina with pride.If you thought reading the label of Crème de la Mer seemed a tad indulgent. Try this sourcing for size. Every summer, Himalayan farmers climb the mountains to comb the fine woollen undercoat from the underbelly of the Himalayan mountain goat which lives at dizzying heights of 14,500 feet (4,500 meters) where temperatures rarely rise above minus 30ºC *Brrrr* You have got to love evolution. You’re a goat that lives in a deep-freeze scenario and God responds with a cashmere jacket *Heaven*.There are a few celebrity devotees who comprehend the importance of pashmina-dom. Hilary Duff and Nicole Richie are fans as is Jessica Alba. They are super-handy when travelling, (First class) *Bien sûr!!* For casual excess I suggest you invest.■ BexBella.