Have you heard of Shibori, the oldest indigo dye technique in Japan? If not, get prepared to not only learn about this ancient technique but also to be absolutely smitten by Umoya’s Shibori designs.
Umoya is a design label run by Sarah Thomas and her team of wonder women, who manually design, and create beautiful stoles, dupattas, sarees, accessories, decor and toys, using the Shibori technique. So what exactly is Shibori? To put it simply it’s the Japanese tie and dye method. The word when loosely translated from Japanese means "to wring, squeeze or press." The fabric (usually silk or cotton) is either, twisted, tied, crumpled, stitched or folded to give it a 3D form. This sculptural shape is then dyed. Magic happens when the wrappings are removed. The folds and creases where the fabric resisted the dye creates a beautiful pattern.
Umoya’s stoles, sarees and dupattas are wearable art. I particularly loved the silk stoles. The silk seems to absorb the dye beautifully as the patterns look terrific. Dressy yet elegant, these stoles can make for excellent gifts too. Their handcrafted cushion covers have engaging textures and colours, that can really liven up your living space. Oh and I could go on about their adorable range of handmade stuffed toys. Combine this ancient art with cuddly stuffed animals and you have something precious for a child to love and hold onto.