Reviving Heritage Through Sustainable Knitwear
Shop AASHKA is a beautiful synthesis of timeless, modern style with heritage indian craftsmanship.
It was during my senior thesis, that I found about the origins of the cashmere industry in 17th century India. The world's finest cashmere yarns originated in the Kashmir region during the Mughal era. The original fibers were called Pashm or 'Liquid gold' due to its incredible softness and lightweight structure. The word 'Cashmere' is actually the anglicized version of the Indian region of Kashmir.
In subsequent decades, due to decline of Mughal rule and subsequent invasions, the production of cashmere reduced significantly due to political turmoil. It caused the sourcing and production industry within Kashmir to reduce to negligent of it's former glory.
Inspired from the history, Shop AASHKA reimagines the lost legacy of Indian cashmere through the lens of modern manufacturing. Our first-ever knitwear collection is inspired from Mughal-era craftsmanship. and celebrates India’s historic artistry through naturally sourced yarns and sustainable production processes.
THE TAJ MAHAL COLLECTION
Every natural phenomenon in this world takes time — from the slow blooming of buds to the gentle snow-capping of glaciers.
In that same spirit of patience and authenticity, this collection is designed in 100% natural and sustainable fibers, sourced directly from nature.
We truly believe that Design is the most honest form of self-expression. Our designs pay homage to the rich cultural legacy of the 17th-century Mughal India — a time of grandeur, artistry, and intricate craftsmanship. It was in the Kashmir region of India that the world first discovered the unparalleled quality of cashmere, renowned for its softness, warmth, and understated luxury.
The creation of the Cloud-Cashmere Capsule is a thoughtful and intentional design process. The embroideries are inspired from the Mughal era of Indian art and architecture, such as the dome of the Taj Mahal. Every detail is designed with care, ensuring that the depth of research is reflected in the final product as we aim to honor and preserve the origin and it's legacy.
WE DESIGN SWEATERS DIFFERENTLY
Over the past decade, I’ve had the opportunity to design hundreds of sweaters for brands like Nordstrom, Diane Von Furstenberg, Calvin Klein, Aeropostale and others. I've worked with factories across the globe, overseeing yarn development to garment construction and fit testing. I realized several times that the sweater production process needs significant improvement.
I listened to customer feedback intently : Sweaters look good but feels itchy, or lost their shape after a few washes, or don't feel warm enough. The sweaters sold in current market lack basic certifications of certifications. I felt there was a serious gap in the market for genuinely good quality sweaters that feel soft on the skin and were not harmful to the planet ecosystem.
At Shop Aashka, Sustainability is not an afterthought — it's embedded into every step of the supply chain. We truly elevated knitwear - the result of years of hands-on industry experience, paired with a commitment to create with consciousness.
Best, Aashka Mehta
(Founder & CEO)
