Silks

Arghand's exclusive scarves were designed by members of the cooperative in consultation with a master weaver in the western city of Herat who, like other weavers of time-honored Afghan silks, found his craft in steep decline with the influx of inexpensive synthetics from China.  Still, he was the only weaver we could find who was willing to adjust his loom in order to accommodate our project.  The gamble paid off; with the rising popularity of Arghand scarves in North America, our increasingly regular orders have not only revived his business, but have caused him to expand his atelier by adding new apprentices.

The silk is cultivated from silk worms  imported from China.  The resulting threads are then hand-dyed and painstakingly hand-woven on traditional wooden looms.  Arghand members choose the colors collectively, but the design of our scarves is based on the customary Afghan turban, which continues to be worn proudly by men.  By offering these scarves for sale, Arghand helps to preserve Afghanistan's artisanal heritage.