Installation view of From Persia to Paisley: Global Luxury and the Kashmir Shawl at The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston

From Persia to Paisley: Global Luxury and the Kashmir Shawl
Thursday, November 12, 2026, 6:30-7:30pm
Lynn Wyatt Theater, Kinder Building
Free (seating first come, first served)

Join Rosemary Crill, a leading international scholar of Indian textile history, at The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, on Thursday, November 12, for a free public lecture exploring the artistry and enduring allure of the Kashmir shawl—one of the most prized woven textiles ever produced. Celebrated for their exceptionally fine fibers and meticulous craftsmanship, these luxurious shawls have captivated admirers for centuries. Crill will trace their fascinating history, from their development in Mughal India and the influence of European demand to the revival of shawl weaving in India.

The lecture is presented in conjunction with From Persia to Paisley: Global Luxury and the Kashmir Shawl, a special exhibition on view in the Hossein Afshar Galleries for Art of the Islamic Worlds. Exploring how a single textile transformed global fashion, fueled industrial innovation, and shaped collecting tastes across Asia, Africa, Europe, and America, the exhibition reveals the remarkable reach and cultural influence of the Kashmir shawl.

Rosemary Crill is the former senior curator for South Asia at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London. Her books include Indian Embroidery, Marwar Painting, Indian Ikat Textiles, Chintz: Indian Textiles for the West and The Fabric of India. She guest curated two recent exhibitions at the MFAH: From India to the World: Textiles from the Parpia Collection and Woven Wonders: Indian Textiles from the Parpia Collection.

They look forward to welcoming you to this free public lecture soon!

To learn more, click here.