Traditional Artisan Techniques

www.pranellaco.com

As seen in many of our products, we supply kaftans and scarves with varying types of luxury tie dye and embroidery  This is essential to us as it is the extra refined detail that enables us to  create pure luxury products.  So we thought we would share some interesting facts you may not have known about the different types of tie dye and embroidery we use to make our products so unique! 

Here at Pranella we use traditional tie dye and embroidery techniques by professional artisans to create our luxury collections. 

Rope Dye dates back to pre historic times around 5000 years ago, as it can be seen in the Alexander the great time texts about the beautiful printed cottons of India. According to evidence, the first Bandhani saree was worn in a royal marriage. It was believed that wearing a Bandhani saree can bring good future to a bride. 

The artisans have experimented with different tying techniques to create patterns on cloth immersed in containters of dye. Different types of tie and dyes have been practiced in India, Japan, and Africa for centuries. The term `Bandhani` is derived from the word `Bandhan` that means tying up.  Different communities in Rajasthan have for ages followed the tradition on tying turbans with different patterns of bandhani on their heads. These were used to identify which community the person belonged to. In the early days dyes were extracted from roots, flowers, leaves, and berries. 

The art of this technique is a highly skilled process. The technique involves dyeing a fabric which is tied tightly with a thread at several points , thus producing a variety of patterns such as Leheriya, Mothra, Ekdali and Shikari depending on the manner in which the cloth is tied. 

Holly Lime

Keira Pink

Hand block printing is an indian art from that is centuries of years old. The design uses a hand carved wood block that is dipped in dye and stamped by hand onto the kaftan. The fabric is dyed, laid flat on a table and fixed firmly to the table with pins. The block is then dipped in the dye and stamped firmly by hand onto the fabric. Finally, the fabric is rinsed in the river and hung to dry in the sun. 

This technique requires great skill and practice from the artisans in order to create uniformity and clear block printing patterns. It is the small variations in the printing that add to the unique charm of these handmade products. 

Assia Blue

Assia Grey

Kasab embroidery is a variation of zardozi embroidery which can be likened to zari work which is done on fabrics. This is considered to be one of the most opulent forms of embroidery in the Indian subcontinent because it involves threading actual fibers of gold or silver onto fabrics to create the embroidery and patterns. 

Historically, this type of embroidery was widely prominent in the royal families highlighting the luxury style embroidery that we use today. You can’t escape the classic glamour of zari work. Zari is a finely woven thread made of gold and silver which is intricately woven into the silk fabric to produce rich textiles.

Rosie White

Camilla Mint

Amelle Grey

Hopefully you have enjoyed reading this post and have learned a little more about the traditional techniques that we use to provide you with our unique products!!

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Best Wishes,