Tangalia Shirt Dress

Inspiration

Inspired by the dry elegance of India’s western desert regions, this shirt dress fuses Gujarat’s Tangalia weave with Rajasthan’s Ajrakh block printing to form a cross-regional, culturally rich garment. The dot-motif precision of Tangalia is balanced by the bold geometric Ajrakh borders, all rooted in natural fibers and natural dyes.

 Design Aim

To create a comfortable, breathable shirt dress that blends artisan techniques with minimalist styling  designed for casual workwear, where ease meets ethics and handcraft meets everyday utility.

Fabric Type

Craft Fusion & Material Details

• Base Fabric:
• • Kala Cotton from Kutch  hardy, rain-fed, naturally organic
  • Tangalia weave  intricate extra weft dots form tribal patterns
  • In deep brown base (undyed natural tone)
• Print Application:
• • Ajrakh Handblock Print on collar, cuffs, and hem
  • Printed using natural dyes (madder red and cream resist)
  • Sharp contrasts add structure and cultural punctuation

Target Market

Profile: Ethically conscious women who prefer structured silhouettes in artisanal fabrics. They appreciate heritage techniques like Tangalia but want them translated into modern, easy-to-wear pieces for everyday use.

Behavior: Invest in long-lasting pieces that balance sophistication and simplicity 

Geography: Urban markets in India, Italy, Japan, and the UK — where craft appreciation and slow fashion are growing

Psychographic:

• Culturally rooted and globally aware
• Seeks sustainable, handcrafted garments with provenance
• Enjoys timeless pieces that hold meaning and narrative

 Price Point:

• Retail Range: ₹6,000 – ₹8,000

Trend Inspiration

Soul Space- Grounded in calm, comfort-led fibers (kala cotton) and relaxed silhouettes

Cultural Connectivity- Craftsmanship from Gujarat + Rajasthan for heritage-rich fusion

Everyday Ceremony- Shirt dress ideal for modern rituals: workwear, travel, and smart-casual dressing

Natural Futures- Rain-fed cotton + natural dyes = regenerative, circular, low-impact material strategy

Palette Match: Dark Brown (Earth), Cream (Raw Cotton), Madder Red (Ajrakh dye)

Sourcing & Costing