Seeing these scarves for the first time, I could do nothing but stop and stare. Block Shop, an Indian textile company run by two American sisters Lily and Hopie Stockman, is so on point it's ridiculous. They just launched this past November and are already getting major attention on the blog rounds – and rightfully so. Lily's a fine arts MFA student and had previously lived in Joshua Tree, which shaped a minimalistic, geometric symmetry to her designs that are brought to life by the incredible talent of the Chippa family led by the fifth-generation master printer Vijendra Chhipa in Bagru, India.
At once boldly modern yet inherently classic, Block Shop's scarves are each handprinted using only natural non-toxic vegetable dyes – richly colored with ingredients such as turmeric and pomegranate skins – and their waste water is recycled to the nearby fields to aid the local agriculture. The flower in the center of their logo is from a hand carved block that has been in the Chippa family for over 100 years.
I love what Lily said on her captivating blog (her stories of India are breathtaking) about the first time she draped a scarf of her creation over her shoulders:
"The word 'scarf' does little justice; each textile is an art object, a one-of-a-kind textile so elegant and sumptuous and yet incredibly durable and versatile. Just like the kinda women we envision wearing these bad boys. Draping one around my neck feels like assuming a lion's mantle."
People creating companies like Block Shop inspire me endlessly. I can't wait until their stock is replenished in February so I can order one of these works of art. I have a feeling I just might never take it off.
[All images via Block Shop]
