Block printing is a centuries-old technique rooted in tradition, dating back to ancient India, China, and Egypt. This artisanal process transforms simple fabrics into intricate works of art, where each piece carries the mark of human creativity and history. Artisans begin by hand-carving intricate designs onto wooden blocks, often spending hours perfecting a single pattern. These blocks, made from materials like teak or rosewood, are then dipped into dyes sometimes derived from plants, minerals, or flowers, ensuring both the richness of the colours and their eco-friendliness.
The process doesn’t stop there—after dyeing, the blocks are carefully pressed onto fabric by hand, aligning each stamp with precision to create repeated or flowing patterns. This requires great skill, as the artist must ensure that each print is uniform and clean, yet slightly varied, giving each fabric a distinctive character. The small differences in colour or alignment are not flaws but rather signs of authenticity that make each garment unique.
At Otherwise, we celebrate this traditional craft, infusing it into our collections as part of our commitment to artisanal craftsmanship and sustainable fashion. Each block-printed garment tells a story of heritage, skill, and sustainability. Using natural dyes not only honours the environment but also ensures that our products are free of harmful chemicals and safe for both artisans and customers. Additionally, the hand-powered process significantly reduces energy consumption compared to mass-production techniques.
By using block printing, we also reduce fabric waste—each block print is intentional, part of our ethos of slow fashion, and the antithesis of fast fashion’s throwaway culture. Every hand-stamped piece is a testament to thoughtful design, tradition, and sustainability, aligning with our broader mission of creating quality, long-lasting garments.
Explore our block-printed pieces and discover how this centuries-old craft continues to inspire our modern, eco-conscious designs, with each item as unique as the hands that created it.
