Who Wears the Crown? Artisans, Heritage, and Transformations in Kashmir’s Pashmina Supply Chain

The cashmere industry in the Kashmir region is undergoing significant transformation as centuries-old artisanal traditions increasingly intersect with the pressures of changing market needs. At the heart of this transformation are the cashmere artisan communities whose knowledge, skills, and livelihoods have long sustained Kashmir’s distinctive cashmere heritage. This research examines how these changes are reshaping cashmere supply chains and what they mean for the artisan communities and stakeholders who shape, participate in, and experience this transformation.

The study focuses on two interconnected dimensions. First, it explores cashmere supply-chain transformation, including processes and artisanal practices. Second, it investigates stakeholder impacts, particularly on artisan livelihoods, traditional knowledge and institutional responses. By connecting supply-chain transformation with stakeholder outcomes, the research highlights the tension between preserving Kashmir’s pashmina artisanal heritage and adapting to a rapidly changing global cashmere industry. The research contributes to sustainable supply-chain discourse by emphasising the importance of protecting centuries-old traditional craft and artisan wellbeing.

About the Author

Dr Imran Ishrat is a Senior Lecturer in Operations and Supply Chain Management at Ara Institute of Canterbury, New Zealand and has two decades of teaching experience across business and engineering disciplines combined.

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Who Wears the Crown? Artisans, Heritage, and Transformations in Kashmir’s Pashmina Supply Chain

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