Pavlovsky Posad, an ancient town near Moscow is now getting into the fashion spotlight. Exquisite, floral, and handmade shawls from the Russian town, now; earn the fame.

A simple clothing item wrapped around the shoulders just for warmth, has still attained a fashion status. Transforming from a simple winter wrap, shawls are now becoming an ultimate fashion accessory used to enhance the grace of any outfit. Pavlovsky Posad Wool Shawls are famous Russian folk shawls known for its beauty and finest elegance across the globe.

Pavlovo Posad is a small town outside Moscow. Gorgeous woolen shawls made from this town are favored by many women; and are adhered as a staple wardrobe item. Traditionally used as a headwear or wrapped the shoulders, these Russian shawls now provide inspiration for fashion designers to create outerwear. Originally handcrafted and a choice of only the creamy class, booming textile industry, and fashion awareness has brought these shawls into the fashion limelight.

The Origin:

In Russia, when a girl had a hair cut for the first time, she was presented with a scarf. This ritual was called as 'untying of the mind'. It was not compulsory for a Russian woman to wear a scarf till she became a bride. Thereafter, she was to wear a ribbon and a scarf above her braided hair. In Russia events crucial for a girl are always accompanied with a scarf. During her wedding, the bride changes her scarf many times. A married woman; in Russia was always expected to keep her head covered with a scarf.

During early times Empire style clothing was very much in vogue. These apparels were very elegant, made from light fabrics, with elevated waistlines, short sleeves, and plunging necklines. They left the women shivering in cold, and called for the need of shawls. Posad shawls came in style made from textiles, with ornamental designs, and oblong shapes. They had beautiful antique folds, and special golden weights sewn into the hems. Since ancient times, these shawls were popular. A colorful shawl was valued as a prized possession in the family, and was also passed on from mother to daughter. Earlier, a special 'dance with a shawl' event was organized for women to compete. Today these shawls are winning laurels at trade fairs both home and abroad.

The Making:


Posad shawls are made from 100% pure wool, without exposure to any technical processing. These shawls are used for warmth during cold weather seasons, and during warm season, it helps the skin to breathe. New designs are created based on creativity, but knowledge and experience are even more important. Each design is made through a set of unique stencils. Vibrant hues are printed on the fabric separately, one by one. More than 20 different colors are used in the making of one single shawl, thus giving it an exotic beauty. Adding numerous colors makes the process quite complicated, but then it is this distinctive feature, that adds fame to the fabric. These fabrics are very soft, and the hand processing of the fabrics gives it a magnificent appearance which is an unsurpassed advantage.


Initially these shawls were hand-woven, making the process very time consuming, complicated, and quite expensive, making them affordable only to the royal and the wealthy class. During the 19th century, textile industry boomed in the country. With the advent of print, ornamentation in shawls were done through wooden matrixes. This resulted in mass production of the shawls, making it affordable for all.


The Fashion:


Tricks of this trade are passed down; generation to generation. A rich revival of traditional aesthetics, and treasured collection Posad shawls go well with global fashion trends. These shawls are designed to give the modern woman, a shape of originality and grace. Extraordinarily beautiful, these shawls reflect ethnicity, funk, beauty, fashion, simplicity, and trends. Hand crafted with meticulous craftsmanship, they reflect modern sensibility and a vintage appeal. Posad shawls are now turning out to become a fashion icon of Russia.


 

Pavlovo Posad shawls can accentuate any outfit, and is thus a preferred choice of fashion designers. These shawls are one among the many unique crafts that constitute the pride of Russia.


References:


1)     Rusclothing.com

2)     English.ruvr.ru