Techniques

 
Wood Block printing
Wood block printing originated in East Asia for printing texts and images, but found its way to India where it became known for its uses in garment printing. Passed down through generations of the printing caste, chippas, it is most famously known in parts of Rajasthan with different regions specializing in varying dye techniques. Each block is carved by hand out of wood, and designs can vary in complexity from single color prints, to very detailed multi color textiles.
Dabu printing
Dabu printing is an ancient, labor intensive mud resist printing technique that hails from Rajasthan. While often lumped together with block printing, this technique is actually quite different. Instead of directly printing a pattern on the fabric, a mud resist paste is applied to isolate parts of the cloth (and design) from being dyed. After which, multiple steps of dyeing, washing, drying are carried out to achieve the final fabric. (For those of you familiar with the wax resist technique of batik, this is somewhat similar to that)
Bandhani
Bandhani, or Bandej, is a tie-dye technique that is practiced mainly in Rajasthan and Gujarat. Complex designs are hand-tied tightly with cotton thread and dyed. 
The smaller or more detailed the print, the more intricate the knot-work has to be. 
Mirror work
Known also as Sheesha embroidery, mirror work's origins can be traced back to the Mughal era. This type of embroidery can be found in many areas of India, but is mostly done in Gujarat and Rajasthan. In some regions and communities, it is believed that it is a form of protection against the evil eye.

Meet some of the people who make Wray happen

  • Kalava Crafts

  • Madan ji and Sagar

  • Bunty

  • Meena

  • Mewar Dharohar

Our principle producer, Kalava Crafts was founded in 2014 by Madhu to help provide employment opportunities to women artisans.

Located in Udaipur, Kalava Crafts works with 125 women's artisans including tribals and marginalised & disadvantaged groups. By working closely with traditional weavers, designers and artisans, Kalava Crafts strives to place Indian craft at the forefront of the design world.

Madan-ji worked 20 years as the shop tailor for a family business until he started his own shop that he runs with his son Sagar. Over the years working together, we've seen them grow from a tiny shop in a small street in the Old City to a bigger showroom on the main road near the City Palace.

Bunty had worked as a shop tailor for a handicrafts emporium before opening his own tailoring shop just down the street from Madan ji. It's a full family affair as his wife and mother works alongside him.

Meena is a university student that worked on the hand embroidery for all our collections so far. With Covid shutdowns affecting schools and disrupting her studies, working on our pieces while she’s at home helps her contribute to supporting her family.

We worked with Mewar Dharohar to produce our first two collections. Led by Moti and his wife Manoharee, Mewar Dharohar employs women in communities within the city of Udaipur and in the villages of Thoor and Barodiya. By creating employment close to their homes, Mewar Dharohar empowers women to earn income without having to leave their families and move to large garment making cities.