Each Wild Rose piece is a canvas where petals bloom and leaves unfold in vibrant patterns. Our timeless aesthetics are inspired by nature, taking a leaf from plants and flowers to bring you prints that set you apart from the crowd.
This is no small feat. Such intricate designs as those found on our clothing are only possible with a technique that has been practised for 2000 years. This is the story of block printing garments.
An Ancient Tradition
Block printing is one of the oldest, if not the oldest, fabric printing techniques. The craft has its roots in China, where the earliest surviving samples date to ~200 AD.
Initially, block printing was mainly used to convey Buddhist teachings and spells. This is likely how it spread from China to other parts of Asia: to Japan, Vietnam, Korea, and the Middle East. Nonetheless, it is in India where its application in textile printing reached its highest form.
Block Printing in India
Block printing has been on the Indian subcontinent since at least the 10th century. Its current form represents a millennium of exploration and refinement across one of the most diverse regions on earth, consisting what is perhaps the richest textile culture this side of the universe.
It is no wonder then that a big inspiration for Wild Rose’s founding was a visit to Jaipur. The city was founded on a plain in northwestern India at a time when printed textiles enjoyed patronage from the ruling elite and a high demand in England. It naturally became a block printing hub.
The boom only lasted decades, however. Mass production, colonial rule, and an influx of cheap imported imitations in the local market forced a decline in the 1800s. Still, the craft persisted in the homes, streets, and workshops of Jaipur, passed down from generation to generation to date.
It is in one of these workshops that Rosie, who trained as a jeweller, first came in contact with the centuries-old art. Its Jaipur variation features floral motifs, geometric patterns, and symmetric arrangements with bold colors and intricate designs.
If that sounds like a Wild Rose garment, that’s because it is. Rosie was so fascinated by the heritage and craftsmanship of the art form that it inspired her to set up a fashion label.
From Jaipur to Nairobi
Block printing begins with a wooden block. Carvers working in small open studios in Jaipur meticulously chisel designs onto blocks of teak, which provide the medium through which prints are transferred onto fabric.
Elsewhere, the fabric is prepared for printing. Plain and/or dyed cotton undergoes pre-treatment to ensure the colors adhere properly before being laid out flat on a surface. Artisans then apply dye to the block and manually stamp the prints onto the fabric, which is then left to set and dry.
The whole process is done by hand, from start to finish. This creates little variations, even imperfections, that add a unique charm to each printed fabric.
The fabric is then shipped from Jaipur to Nairobi. Once it reaches our workshop, our team of tailors works their magic, cutting and stitching along Rosie’s designs to create stylish pieces that are rooted in centuries-old techniques and traditions.
Want a piece of this enduring legacy? Shop our store.
