Kashmir's New Style of Belonging

Kashmir has always dressed with pride. A pheran made in a workshop or a pashmina shawl full of careful handwork carries memories, effort and identity. Now, a young generation wants that story to travel beyond the valley.

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In Srinagar and smaller towns, young designers are launching their own labels from the ground up. They promote their work on Instagram, work out of small studios, and take fashion to the streets. They pair sneakers with pherans. They print punchlines in Kashmiri. They use traditional embroidery to make bold statements.

It may look like a style choice, though it signals something bigger. Young people are claiming their culture in their own way.