BODACIOUS BATIK
A collection using the hand block printing technique of 'Batik'.
A range of fabrics developed for a fashion house 'Singhania's' based in Hyderabad, India.
Batik is a traditional craft practiced by the Khatri community in the small town of Mundra, Gujarat. Out of the many interesting things in this town, the Bukhari pir dargah stands out with its intricate stone-carved facade and solid-wood doors. The insides are adorned with beautiful glass-work. Many birds can be found taking abode in the surrounding trees in the evenings. This dargah became the design inspiration with its geometrical lattices, floral motifs and chirrping birds.
THE FABRICS
A range of luxurious silks like dupion, crepe, raw silk, silk-chiffon, kota-silk and silk-satin were hand printed, hand dyed and hand processed to arrive at rich and elegant fabrics.
THE PROCESS
Batik is a very labor and time intensive process. The fabric is first de-starched, then hand-block printed with wax. It is now dyed in the desired colour. The wax resists the printed areas from catching any colour, developing the trademark 'cracked texture' in the process. The process of printing and dyeing is repeated if the design requirement is such. The fabric now undergoes the wax removal process where it is boiled in a vessel filled with boiling water. It is then washed and dried in the sun.