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SHAHTOOSH, NO! KHATOOSH, YES!

(Los Angeles, CA) January 14, 2009 — Light as a feather, and so fine that they can be pulled through a diminutive wedding band, 'Shahtoosh' shawls have long been an object of desire and a coveted fashion accessory because of their rarity. Once a product limited to the Indian subcontinent, during the 1990's Shahtoosh shawls became a fashion statement for well-heeled women the world over, causing demand to skyrocket. Made exclusively from the downy fur of the Chiru or Tibetan Antelope, several animals must be killed to harvest enough fur to make a single shawl.

As a result, where an estimated 1,000,000 animals roamed in the Tibetan Plateau in the earlier part of the last century, current estimates of the Chiru population range between 50,000 and 75,000. Chinese government sources estimate that 20,000 animals are poached annually. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) of Wild Fauna and Flora regulates the trade in endangered species products, and since 1979, it has been illegal to import Shahtoosh into the U.S.

There is a solution however — one that can help satisfy the demand for these extraordinary and precious shawls — and also provide employment to the traditional weavers in Kashmir who are among the only artisans skilled enough to handle the delicate Chiru fibers. As part of his 2009 accessories collection, designer Ian Saudē offers "Khatoosh" shawls, sourced from the same Kashmiri villages that are famed for producing Shahtoosh. While the spinning and weaving techniques are the same, instead of using endangered Chiru fibers, yarn is spun from the highest grades of cashmere shorn from the neck and underbelly of Hircus goats, also natives to Tibet and the steppes of Mongolia.

"We are so happy to be able to offer people a viable alternative to Shahtoosh that's socially responsible and yet still highly luxurious," states Saudē. "Khatoosh looks and feels almost identical to Shahtoosh, but buyers can be secure in the knowledge that no animals are being harmed, and that the traditional weavers have a viable and environmentally responsible alternative to dealing in illegally traded products."

Khatoosh shawls are abundantly warm despite their light and delicate appearance. They can be used in summer to stave off air-conditioning or an evening chill, or as an ultra-luxurious neck scarf in winter. Extraordinarily light and compact, Khatoosh can easily be rolled up and carried in a purse or stowed away in a tote as the ultimate in-flight accessory.

Saudē's Khatoosh stoles are approximately 28" x 78" size; shawls are 36" x 78"; stoles are priced from $1200 and shawls from $1400. A comparable Shahtoosh shawl could range upwards of $7000 — even though it is illegal to possess them in the U.S. and most other Western countries. In addition to the pricey fibers, much of the cost involved is in labor and sourcing. Woven by highly skilled artisans who comb the fibers, spin them, then weave the garment entirely by hand, each shawl can take days or even weeks to complete. Supplying the demand for these shawls is also compounded by the risk factor, since the political climate in Kashmir, situated between India and Pakistan, is in a constant state of flux and turmoil.

Available in natural white or fawn, other colors can be specially ordered. However, since dark dyes can damage these fragile fibers, Ian Saudē is careful to offer them only in pastels and other delicate colors that preserve the natural integrity of this rare and precious commodity.

Ian Saudē is the exclusive importer to the U.S. of Khatoosh shawls. Like Shahtoosh, Khatoosh shawls are produced in extremely small lots. Of these Saudē accepts only the best and most unique pieces, and consequently, a very limited number of Khatoosh shawls are ever available at any one time. Select pieces are currently available at Broken English in Brentwood and in other select retail outlets, or by placing special orders with the designer by calling Ian Saudē directly at 1.877.888.8717.

End of Release. Last Updated: 01/14/09