The Making of Ria
We are so excited to finally be able to share Ria with you. Working closely with our makers, Ria has been a project filled with love that combines the art of traditional craftsmanship with a touch of contemporary style. Ria brings to life a vision of vibrant prints and colours, each thoughtfully crafted by our artisans in India, using both the ancient technique of hand block printing and, for the first time, hand screen printing. This approach lends each Ria piece a distinct charm, layering history with modern-day wearability. Ria includes flowing blouses, relaxed pants and a breezy mini dress, all designed to blend effortlessly into your wardrobe.
Block printing starts with eco-friendly dyes mixed to capture the perfect hues, including Ruby Red, Cherry Blossom, Sky, and Strawberry Cream. With the fabric stretched out and carefully pinned to long tables, each colour is meticulously applied one block at a time. Each artisan aligns the blocks with steady precision, gradually building the pattern until it flows seamlessly across the fabric. This technique celebrates the slow beauty of handcrafting, resulting in pieces that are truly one-of-a-kind, with subtle variations and textures that only human hands can create.
In addition to our hand block prints, we’re excited to introduce Cyan Candy, our first colour way using hand screen printing. This process requires its own special expertise, involving large stencils that span the width of the printing tables. The artisans position the screen carefully, pressing ink through the stencil in sweeping motions, building up each colour layer to create our vibrant Cyan Candy print. Two artisans work in tandem, each responsible for a side of the screen, moving in perfect rhythm to ensure the ink is evenly applied across the fabric. The Cyan Candy colorway brings a fresh energy to Ria, setting it apart with its bold and unique design.
Environmental responsibility is woven into our process. Our printers are committed to responsible water use, with channels in place to collect the water used in the screen printing process and deliver it to a nearby industrial water facility for recycling. This careful handling reflects our dedication not only to craftsmanship but also to the environmental impact of our work.
Ria is all about versatility. With pieces like the oversized blouse, relaxed pants, and flowing mini dress, each design is meant to adapt to your style. Whether you’re dressing up or down, each garment is made to move with you, keeping comfort and individuality at their core. With every print, every stitch, Ria carries a piece of our artisans’ heritage, as well as a fresh take on style that feels effortless yet refined. Embrace the ease, beauty, and artistry of Ria, created for today but inspired by traditions that transcend time.
Ria is all about versatility. With pieces like the oversized blouse, relaxed pants, and flowing mini dress, each design is meant to adapt to your style. Whether you’re dressing up or down, each garment is made to move with you, keeping comfort and individuality at their core. With every print, every stitch, Ria carries a piece of our artisans’ heritage, as well as a fresh take on style that feels effortless yet refined. Embrace the ease, beauty, and artistry of Ria, created for today but inspired by traditions that transcend time.
With love, Daughters of India x
