Artisan Techniques
The manufacture of our clothes involves highly skilled processes and artisan techniques that can take years to learn and master such as Hand Block Printing, Dip Dyeing, Shibori, Jacquard weaving and Kantha Stitch.
Hand Block Printing
Hand block printing is a a laborious process that involves carving blocks of wood. Each carved block is used to imprint a colour and the pattern is built up as the colours are laid down using direct printing or by applying a waxy paste and removing the paste once the fabric has dried. Nila Rubia are masters of hand block printing and Nila’s fashion sense and artistic designs are a recipe for timeless beautiful clothes.
Dip Dyeing and Shibori
Shibori dyeing originated in Japan and travelled to India. The fabric is clamped or sewn together and then dipped in dye to create patterns where the dye has not reached the fabric. The same principle is used in dip dye – parts of the textile are dyed and different colours may be used to build beautiful abstract designs.
Jacquard Weaving
Joseph Marie Jacqard first demonstrated this type of weaving in 1801 and it revolutionised the way fabric is woven to create complex designs. Nila Rubia’s woven wool coats and Jackets use this process.
Kantha Stitching
Kantha Stitching is a hand stitch technique that allows fabric to be layered and stitched together and it means fabrics can be upcycled and reused. It looks hand done. The sewing is often done by men but Nila Rubia has given work to women for this technique to make her beautiful kantha stitched coats and jackets
Upcycling vs Recycling
At Conscious Apparel we are also firmly committed to the practice of upcycling. Up cycling, or ‘creative reuse’, effectively means taking something no longer in use and repurposing it. Through cutting, stitching and refashioning, to upcycle something grants it a second life and a new function. Upcycling is not the same as recycling and it does not break down an item’s base material, but rather refashions an existing item to create something even better. This ethical practice plays a key role in the fashion industry and helps to reduce the environmental impact of consumer goods at large. By transforming otherwise discarded materials into new and wearable pieces, upcycling conserves valuable resources, reduces waste, and supports a circular economy. In essence, when engaging in upcycling, no new items of clothing are added to the excess already in the industry and in our landfill sites.