The Selvedge Textile Tour 2025: The Final Week

As the Selvedge Textile Tour of India draws to a close, the final week reflects a journey of contrasts - serenity and adventure, history and innovation, tradition and reinvention. This week was spent in Ladakh, located 4,000 - 5,300 meters above sea level in the heart of the Himalayas. Ladakh is a remote and rugged land rich in resources like yak, goat, sheep, and camel wool - materials that embody a place where craftsmanship, culture, and landscape are inseparable.

Dal Lake, Srinagar, Kashmir

The week began with a moment of stillness at Dal Lake, where the mountains stood as silent sentinels over the shimmering waters. The group found time to reflect on the path they had travelled, the artisans they had met, and the many stories shared. The tranquility of the lake provided a quiet interlude before the rich encounters of Ladakh unfolded.

Thiksay Monastery, Leh, Ladakh

At Thiksay Monastery, perched high in Leh’s rugged terrain, the group ascended into a world of devotion and artistry. Founded in the 15th century by Sherab Zangpo, a disciple of the Tibetan Buddhist master Je Tsongkhapa, Thiksay is the largest monastery in central Ladakh and belongs to the Gelugpa (Yellow Hat) sect. Modelled after the Potala Palace in Lhasa, the monastery’s multi-tiered structure cascades down the mountainside, offering breathtaking views of the Indus Valley below.

Inside, vivid murals and towering statues depicted celestial beings, ancient legends, and Buddha’s teachings, a reminder of the deep spiritual heritage that continues to shape local life.

Ladakhi Artistry at Namza Couture

In the heart of Leh, Namza Couture offered a glimpse into how Ladakhi artistry is being carried forward with purpose. Founded by designers Jigmet Disket and Padma Yangchan, Namza was created to highlight and rejuvenate Ladakh’s exquisite pashmina - often overshadowed by its Kashmiri counterpart.

The label blends traditional Ladakhi elements with contemporary fashion while supporting local artisans. Their work with materials like Nambu, Khulu, and camel wool requires specialised handling, made all the more complex by Ladakh’s high altitude. The journey to craft a garment can take nearly a year - an expression of patience and skill.

Discovering the Old City

A walk through the old city with Tashi Morup of the Ladakh Arts and Media Organisation (LAMO) Centre added depth to Ladakh’s history. What had seemed at a distance like quiet, unassuming streets were revealed to be rich with narratives of trade routes, migrations, and the changing ways of local life.

Founded in 1996, LAMO fosters an environment where people can learn, create, and engage with Ladakh’s artistic and cultural heritage. The centre now serves as a dynamic space for art exhibitions, residencies, performances, and discussions, featuring both Ladakhi and international artists with a vision to preserve Ladakh’s past while fostering its creative future.

Jigmat Couture Textile Museum

At the Jigmat Couture Textile Museum of Ladakh, this sense of continuity was further reinforced. The museum, a result of Jigmat Couture’s commitment to sustainable and ethical business practices, opened its doors as the first-ever textile museum in the Himalayan region. It is part of a larger mission to preserve centuries-old Ladakhi art and crafts for future generations.

The story began with the vision of Jigmat Norbu and Jigmat Wangmo to revive, preserve, and promote Ladakh’s textile art, craft, and traditional way of life. The museum’s collection showcases a wide variety of costumes and textiles - some woven locally in Ladakh, others brought through ancient trade routes.

These pieces, worn in everyday life or during significant celebrations, reveal the intricate artistry of Ladakhi culture. The museum serves as both a showcase and a place of learning, where visitors, especially Ladakhis, can explore the deep cultural traditions that have shaped the region's identity.

Jigmat Couture not only creates ethically crafted garments, but also imparts training and apprenticeships in traditional textile art forms, ensuring an authentic representation of Ladakhi craftsmanship.

Natural Dye Workshops with Lena Ladakh

Perhaps the most personal experience of the week came during a dyeing workshop with Lena Ladakh. Hands were stained with the rich pigments of the earth, and fabrics absorbed the deep, natural colours of the region. The process was meditative - an interplay of patience, anticipation, and discovery.

Lena Ladakh, founded by Stanzin Minglak and Sonam Angmo in 2016, is rooted in slow fashion and sustainable craftsmanship. The label creates handmade textiles using locally sourced Pashmina, sheep, and yak wool. The wool is harvested from the harsh winters of the Changthang plateau at over 4,000 meters, renowned for its exceptional quality.

The production process is entirely artisanal: wool is cleaned and spun by hand in Ladakhi villages, with artisans taking 10-15 days to spin enough yarn for one shawl. Stanzin and Sonam dye the yarn themselves using natural materials like marigold and walnut, while indigo and madder are sourced from outside Ladakh. The yarn is then woven on traditional fly shuttle looms by women artisans, with two weavers spending up to five days to complete one shawl.

As the journey ends, the group carries with them more than just souvenirs; they take moments of insight, shared laughter, and a deeper appreciation for India’s enduring creativity. The Selvedge Textile Tour has been an exploration of not just craft, but of human ingenuity - of places shaped by hands and hearts. And as the travellers prepare to part ways, one thing remains certain: this experience will stay with them, not just as memories but as a shift in perspective, a newfound awareness that will continue to inspire long after they’ve left India’s breathtaking landscapes behind.

Selvedge thanks each artisan, educator, and individual who enriched the tour with their skills and knowledge, and of course, the participants who made the journey truly memorable. If you're interested in joining a future textile tour, please get in touch.

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Image Credits:

Lead Image: Jigmat Couture

4: blacktomato.com

4/6/7: Courtesy of Namza Couture

11: Courtesy of LAMO

12/13/14/15: Courtesy of Jigmat Couture

16/17/18: Courtesy of Lena Ladakh