The Art of Sozni – Needlework of Timeless Grace
What Is Sozni?
Sozni (also spelled Sozani) is a hand-embroidery technique that uses a single fine needle and thread—typically in silk or fine cotton— to create elaborate patterns directly onto cashmere shawls. Unlike other forms of embroidery that use raised stitches, Sozni is incredibly flat, almost blending with the weave itself. It takes months, often years, to complete a single piece, with every motif rendered by hand, stitch by stitch.
Traditional Sozni designs draw on a rich visual vocabulary—chinar leaves, almond blossoms, vines, paisleys, and poetic abstractions— all echoing the natural beauty of the Kashmir Valley. But at Vonoz, we take Sozni further.
From Wood to Wool – The Role of the Template
For our bespoke shawls, Sozni begins not with the needle, but with wood. We work with one of the last remaining master woodcarvers in the region, whose rare craft has become an integral part of our process. He hand-carves intricate motifs into blocks of seasoned walnut wood— one for each bespoke commission.
These wooden blocks are used to gently stamp the design onto the surface of the cashmere in a temporary dye. The outline guides the embroiderer’s needle with poetic precision, ensuring the composition is balanced and faithful to the client’s vision.
Each template is a work of art in itself—completely unique, never reproduced. And in the spirit of true heirloom creation, we present the original carved block to the client alongside the finished shawl. It becomes part of the story—proof of origin, artistry, and intimacy.
Sozni at Vonoz – Precision, Soul, and Time
At Vonoz, our Sozni artisans are not simply embroiderers; they are storytellers, philosophers of the thread. Each stitch is a meditation. Each motif is a signature. Each shawl takes shape over weeks and months of silent concentration, guided by experience passed down through generations.
Some clients choose micro Sozni—so fine it looks like it was painted. Others opt for more expressive threadwork, rich with layered color and detail. Whether it's a family crest, a symbolic motif, or a traditional floral trail, the end result is always the same: a one-of-a-kind shawl unlike anything else in the world.
A Legacy You Can Hold
Sozni embroidery is not a trend. It is a living heritage. And when you wear a Vonoz Sozni shawl, you wear centuries of memory, mastery, and meaning. With your shawl, you receive not only a garment—but the block that helped shape it, the hands that made it, and the spirit that defines it.
Welcome to the quiet grandeur of Sozni.
Welcome to Vonoz Cashmere.
