The scene: a cold and dark November evening.

You’ve managed to peel yourself off the couch and dress in your finest to attend the first of many festive occasions. Then you reach the door — and realize that a bobbly scarf isn’t going to cut it with your elegant ensemble.

Enter: self-taught artist Manuela Moollan with Ahilya, her super-chic collection of shawls.

Cut to: Kashmir, where the delicate cashmere cover-ups are hand-spun, hand-woven and hand-dyed by artisans using the traditional textile process. The ultra-fine shawls are lined in metallic threads (for subtle sparkle). Diamond-weave stoles are made with Chantilly or Calais lace.

Exit: threadbare pashmina.

And that’s a wrap.

Available at Liberty, Great Marlborough Street, W1B 5AH (020 7734 1234 or liberty.co.uk); online at strawberryandcream.com. To see styles, go to ahilya.com.

Photo: Courtesy of Ahilya