Origin Story
Necessity is the mother of invention. When our local fabric store went out of business, fabric became hard to find. Not to mention, expensive. Thrifted scarves became my fabric of choice. The best scarf is Pashmina! Fringed edges, classic tag of authenticity, soft, colorful, ornate. Generally, a single size of 27" by 78" (80" with fringe). They are the perfect accessory for travel lifestyle. Can function as an alter cloth, blanket, towel, shade/veil, skirt, hood, gift, trade... so versatile. Buying second-hand means eco-friendly. Reducing carbon footprint, packaging, fuel to transport and preventing growth from waste in the landfill. We take shawls to sewing machines.
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Roma is a traveling artist- yoga instructor, bellydancer, henna artist, seamstress, and author. Romina Pashmina is a brand that combines so many of her passions, she dubs this her creative baby. Born from a love of thrift shopping and upcycling, part of a budget-saavy and environmentally-friendly lifestyle. The designs are made for comfort, style, and mobility, great for dancing, yoga, movement and bodywork. They echo the old world yet are made for today. The line includes over a dozen designs like kaftans, reversible vests, hooded vests, ponchos, panel skirts, hoods and headbands. New designs are always in the works! The goal for each shawl is to cut as little away and use as much of it as possible with nothing going to waste. Since they are woven fabrics, each seam is serged and sewn to protect the weave. All parts are used, even the serger tailings are saved for making pillows. |
Roma created Romina Pashmina and developed a complete line of clothing made from scarves in 2019. She got a dozen model pals and a professional photography, Larry French to shoot at Maryland Renaissance Festival that fall. Kaftan and Hooded Vests were featured at the Arizona Renaissance festival in 2020 at the Domba Bellydance booth. Domba has been near and dear to the creator's heart as that is where it all started with Tribal Bellydance back in 2003. This partnership brings the owners authentic roots into the business. Gratitude to Heidi Alexander for her support in getting us into the show.
Thanks to the women of the renaissance that have modeled the garments. Thanks to Larry French who did the amazing photography and continues to shoot for us. In 2021, we got our first booth at the Colorado Renaissance Festival where we will continue to grow and thrive. Thank you to all those that continue to support the arts.
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pashmina
These versatile woven textiles with roots to 1500's Renaissance in the Kashmir- a region along the Himalayan mountain range of modern-day Pakistan, North India to Nepal. The word Pashmina, comes from the Persian word for wool, pashm. The term Cashmere refers to a natural animal fiber that is combed, not shorn like wool. Nomadic tribal herders raised mountain goats and combed the ikot/ekat (beard and belly fur). The fibers are 30 times smaller than human hair. Their incredibly soft and fine fibers took dye well for rich colors. The fibers were woven in intricate patterns by hand. These textiles were a main source of trade and income long the Silk Road. Five hundred years of history and practice later we are still seeing these patterns and practices in the region. Today, many different fibers are used along with weaving machines that keep this ancient artform alive. We source Sound Healing and Meditation Tools from Nepal. Hand-hammered metal Singing Bowls, cut metal Jewelry, Pocket Belts, and Malas.
malas and Bowls
After meeting new friends on a trip to Thailand in 2017, I was introduced to Suren and Ruby Shresthra of Serenity Tibet. They are based out of Boulder, Colorado and are one of the largest importers of Himalayan singing bowls from Nepal. They also run one of the first and only sound healing schools in the country, Atma Buti Sound Healing School. Roma began working with them at the Tucson Gem and Mineral show in 2017 and returned every year to work with the product and family. Starting in 2021, summers were spent the warehouse in Boulder, CO during the renaissance festival. Serenity Tibet continues to be a supplier of sound healing and meditation tools. The source and meaning of the crystals and materials are a topic of discussion we love sharing with our shop visitors. You don't have to purchase anything to come in and have a good experience. We are creating a community with our followers.
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