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Indian Block Print Cotton

A new collection of Indian cottons showcasing awe-inspiring, traditional techniques from artisans we met on our trip to India last year. Each of these fabrics boasts intricate details that tell the story of the skilful hands that worked them. Every inch of these handloom cottons will be subtly different from the next. From a distance you might never know. But up close, when you get to know them, as the next maker working this cloth, you may get a glimpse into their story: threads still clinging onto a tie-dye cloth, a specific stitch pattern repeated like a signature or a tiny irregularity that tells a secret. The personalities of these cottons connects us to the origins of the cloth and the hands that wove and embellished them. They allow us to further value the craftsmanship and truly treasure what we make with the cloth.

Explore our full collection of new, handworked Indian cottons in our edit here.

Abhla is translated as ‘bits of sky’, which beautifully illustrates this mirrored cloth that catches the light as you move. The tiny mirrors are stitched onto this handwoven cotton by hand. Different regions of India sew the mirrors on indifferent ways, this circular Mirrorwork is native to the Kachchh region of Gujarat. Because of the labour intensive processes we only carry small amounts of our Abhla cottons. Above, Dan wears the All State Shirt in Amelie Abhla.

Bandhani is a traditional tie-dye technique. The un-dyed cloth is pinched by hand and bound tightly with threads before dyeing. The dye doesn’t reach the bound areas and so, when the threads are removed, a pattern is created. The larger the bound areas, the larger the spots in the design will be. Our Bandhani cottons each have a plain colour twin that can be used in conjunction with the tie & dye cloth. Try a plain hem, like our Mathilde Skirt pictured above in Water Moss and plain cotton Wasabi. Nancy also wears a Celeste Top in Milky Way Tangaliya cotton.

What appears to be lots of little French knots is actually a pattern woven into the cloth. Tiny extra weft threads are wrapped around the warp threads at intervals in the weaving to create these little dots. It’s a time-consuming process with a really beautiful and delicate result. Tangaliya is native to the region of Gujarat. We have chosen to make a Celeste Top in Milky Way, Nancy wears it with a Mathilde Skirt in Eartha. Because of the labour intensive processes we only carry small amounts of our Tangaliya cottons.

The base cotton of our new block prints is Kala cotton, a purely rain fed cotton that is indigenous to the Kachchh district. Due to the resilient nature of the plant, the use of pesticides or synthetic fertilizers are not needed making it a much more sustainable crop. It forms a strong and coarse fibre that produces a uniquely textured cloth. Above, Nancy wears the Omilie Top in Wrangler.