Marrying the rugged charm of Ladakh’s high-altitude pastures with the opulent allure of fashion can be a tough balance. Enter Looms of Ladakh, a herder-artisan-led cooperative that’s redefining ethical fashion and putting the giant in GI-certified Ladakhi Pashmina. If you think this is just another shawl story, think again. Looms of Ladakh isn’t here to sell you a wrap; it’s here to wrap you in an entire ecosystem of sustainability, empowerment, and heritage. ‘The brand stands on principles of sustainability and empowerment, offering artisans fair ownership and a global platform. Each piece tells a story of heritage, craftsmanship, and responsible fashion, resonating with discerning clients seeking unique, high-quality products,’ says Looms of Ladakh founder, Abhilasha Bahuguna.
Image Source: Instagram/loomsofladakh
From Raw to Remarkable
Ladakh has always been synonymous with breathtaking landscapes and raw materials. For centuries, its role in the Pashmina industry was limited to just that—producing the wool, while Kashmiri artisans spun the luxury magic. Not anymore.
‘For centuries, Ladakh’s role in the Pashmina industry was limited to raw material production, with the fine processing left to Kashmiri artisans. Looms of Ladakh is reversing this narrative by training local women in spinning, dyeing, and weaving, empowering them to reclaim their craft while redefining Ladakh as a luxury textile hub. Looms of Ladakh is a pioneering luxury brand, collectively owned by the craftspeople and nomadic herders of Ladakh,’ adds Bahuguna. The brand’s progress is reflected in its artisans.
Image Source: Instagram/loomsofladakh
In just seven years, this cooperative of 350+ women from 20 villages has gone from making plain shawls for tourists to gracing Times Square during New York Fashion Week. You’ll also spot their creations at luxury hotspots like Taj Khazana and Ogaan, proving that Ladakhi Pashmina is no longer a souvenir—it’s a collectable. Their Fall/Winter 2024 collection is proof of how far they’ve come. Featuring Merino-sheep wool blends and pastel Pashminas dyed with natural sources like madder and marigold, it’s equal parts heritage and haute couture.
The Power of a Loom
At its core, Looms of Ladakh is a movement—a blueprint for how ethical luxury should look. Co-founded by Abhilasha Bahuguna and former Deputy Commissioner G. Prasanna, the brand thrives on one radical idea: artisans deserve not just fair wages but fair ownership. Tsewang Dolma, one of the artisans at Looms of Ladakh seems to agree, ‘I learnt everything about the craft here at Looms of Ladakh. I see my future here. This work is beneficial for me as it not only provides me with good money but also respect of others when I do a good job. This will be helpful to me when I am older.’
Image Source: Instagram/loomsofladakh
The brand’s mission is simply to make Ladakh synonymous with Pashmina—not just for its raw wool, but for the finished products that rival the best of global luxury. They’re building decentralised studios in villages, creating a sustainable supply chain that respects both artisans and ecology.
Why It Matters
‘Looms of Ladakh has transformed an ancient utilitarian craft into a modern, high-end brand while uplifting the lives of artisans and preserving Ladakh’s cultural identity. Looms of Ladakh is making a raw material economy a centre of excellence for luxury natural resource value addition cooperatively,’ explains Bahuguna.
Image Source: Instagram/loomsofladakh
Luxury has long been synonymous with exclusivity, but the brand is proving that the real luxury lies in inclusion—of people, heritage, and planet-friendly practices. ‘With the United Nations celebrating the achievements of cooperatives in the Year 2024-25 with a launch at Bharat Mandapam Delhi on November 25th 2024, Looms of Ladakh is a powerful example of how such models can drive cultural preservation, economic empowerment, and global recognition in harmony with ecology,’ she adds.
So, the next time you wrap yourself in a Looms of Ladakh shawl, remember: you’re not just wearing Pashmina. You’re wearing Ladakh’s soul, stitched with empowerment, and fringed with sustainability.
Now, who says you can’t save the world and look fabulous while doing it?