This powerful black shawl from the heart of Srinagar would be a statement addition to your ethnic wardrobe. Fashioned from the superior homegrown wool of the region - indeed, Kashmiri woollens are among the most sumptuous in the world - it is dyed a thick, inky black that is sure to stand out. It is the perfect backdrop for the colour palette of the superimposed embroidery - fiery reds and oranges, interspersed with vibrant pinks and greens.

The motifs in question are quintessentially Kashmiri. Profuse vines breaking into delicate tendrils and chinar (maple) leaves large and small. The maple leaf motif is to Kashmiri textiles what paisleys are to the rest of (traditional) North Indian fashion. Zoom in on the same to appreciate the flawless handiwork, the skill for which is arguably endemic to the Himalayan valley artisans. Also, through the translucence of the fabric, one could make out the high-precision, superbly uniform weave of the fabric.