Black and White Batik-Dyed Kaftan
Gentle hand-wash separately in cold water with a mild detergent. Avoid soaking. Iron on medium heat while slightly damp.
Description
There is a quiet drama in black and white, a conversation between absence and presence that batik has understood for centuries. This kaftan is rendered in viscose and brought to life through the resist-dyeing tradition of batik, where hot wax is applied by hand to reserve areas of cloth before the dye is introduced, leaving behind those characteristic soft halos and organic lines that no mechanical print can replicate. The craft carries deep roots across coastal India and Southeast Asia, where artisan communities have long used it to speak in patterns. Viscose lends itself generously to this process, absorbing pigment with a depth and evenness that allows the monochrome palette to feel rich rather than stark. The result is a garment that wears as easily as a second skin, fluid and unhurried in its movement. Being made to order, each piece is produced with intention rather than abundance. Pair it with kolhapuri sandals and a single silver cuff for a relaxed afternoon gathering, or layer it over wide-leg trousers for an evening that asks for ease without carelessness.
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Behind this piece
Batik is among the oldest resist-dyeing traditions in the world, practised across coastal India and Southeast Asia for centuries. In India, it found particular expression in Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh, where artisans apply hot wax to cloth in precise patterns before immersing fabric in dye. The stark interplay of black and white here recalls the classic ceplok and parang motifs of the craft's broader heritage, reduced to their most graphic and arresting form. Made to order in viscose, this kaftan honours the patient, repetitive logic of wax-resist work, where every boundary between light and dark is drawn by hand.
How to style
Wear it as a standalone statement at a summer lunch, belted loosely with a broad tan leather belt to define the silhouette. For an evening gathering, layer a sheer ivory dupatta over one shoulder and finish with oxidised silver chandbali earrings and flat Kolhapuri chappals. If you prefer a more structured moment, pair it over wide-leg ivory palazzos and add a stack of black lacquered bangles from Rajasthan. The monochrome palette means every accessory reads clearly, so keep metals consistent and let the batik patterning do the visual work.
Fabric & care
Viscose is a semi-synthetic cellulose fibre that breathes well but loses strength when wet, so handle it with particular care at wash time. Turn the kaftan inside out and hand-wash in cool water with a mild, pH-neutral detergent. Never wring or twist the fabric; instead press it gently between two dry towels to remove excess water. Dry flat in shade, away from direct sunlight, which can fade batik dyes over time. Store folded rather than on a hanger, as viscose stretches under its own weight. Ironing on a low setting while slightly damp restores a smooth finish.
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