Block prints are the timeless trend making a modern comeback

Block prints might feel like the trend of the moment, but the craft carries centuries of history. Traced as far back as the Indus Valley Civilisation, Indian block printing truly flourished under Mughal patronage, when intricate florals and delicate motifs became an art form of their own. Rajasthan’s Chippa community perfected the technique over generations, turning carved wooden blocks and natural dyes into fashion’s earliest statement prints. Today, the same age-old process is being reimagined for modern wardrobes. No longer confined to salwar sets and saris, block prints are breaking free in the form of breezy dresses, tube tops, wrap skirts, and even playful accessories, making them a go-to for millennials and Gen Z alike. Versatile, timeless, and endlessly wearable, the block print revival is all about keeping tradition alive while dressing it up for right now.

The PDKF Store

At the forefront of this revival is The PDKF Store, the brainchild of Princess Gauravi Kumari. A contemporary offshoot of the Princess Diya Kumari Foundation—founded to empower women and girls in rural Rajasthan—the label is a perfect blend of heritage and new-age style. Designed by Gauravi Kumari in collaboration with French designer Claire Deroo, the collections spotlight Rajasthan’s storied block printing, enriched with traditional techniques like gota patti and fine hand embroidery.

What sets The PDKF Store apart is its ability to make block prints feel both Instagram-cool and timeless. The line spans everything from tube tops, wrap skirts, and summer-ready dresses to saris, hairbands, stationery, and bags, all created by the foundation’s trained women artisans. Each piece carries not just the boldness of Rajasthani motifs but also the story of craft, empowerment, and continuity. 

Grassroot by Anita Dongre

This is Dongre's conscious luxury label, built on the ethos of slow fashion and craft preservation. At its core is a commitment to sustainability, working hand in hand with rural artisans, championing eco-friendly practices, and reviving age-old techniques with a contemporary lens. Among its many artisanal signatures, Grassroot’s hand block prints stand out for their elegance and timeless appeal.

Each motif is brought to life by skilled craftspeople who work in rhythm, pressing wooden blocks against fabric in a process that feels both meditative and precise. The results are refined, effortless pieces that transcend trends—think breezy summer dresses, separates, and staples that carry the quiet luxury of something handmade. Less about Gen Z playfulness and more about classic, cross-generational chic. 

Nishorama

Launched in 2024 by Ria Mehta and Ramnek Chhipa, Nishorama is the new-age Mumbai label making traditional block prints feel anything but conventional. The brand’s ethos is all about bridging heritage craft with a bold, youth-driven aesthetic, turning block prints into fashion that feels current, cultural, and unapologetically cool.

Tighter silhouettes, halter tops, cropped kurtis with exaggerated sleeves, low necklines, and long flowy dresses reimagine Indian textiles for the Instagram generation. Playful, raw, and refreshingly transparent in its approach, Nishorama has built a cult following for being relatable and real, both in its designs and its social media presence. Whether it’s a kalamkari corset kurti, a strappy block-printed dress, or a kurta designed to be worn without an “occasion,” Nishorama shows us exactly what block prints in Indian fashion look like right now—youthful, fearless, and cool without losing their cultural roots.

Anokhi Jaipur

Few names are as synonymous with block printing as Anokhi. Founded in 1970 by John and Faith Singh, the Jaipur-based brand has become a global ambassador for Indian textiles, blending craft preservation with contemporary design for over five decades. Working closely with rural artisans, Anokhi is committed to keeping traditional skills alive while creating pieces that feel timeless and relevant across generations.

Pure cotton fabrics, airy silhouettes, and signature prints have made the label a go-to for everything from maxi dresses and tank tops to bedding, stationery, and even boxer shorts. Anokhi’s aesthetic proves that block prints in Indian fashion can be evergreen—versatile enough for everyday wear, stylish enough to feel current, and enduring enough to remain a wardrobe staple for years.

Avataara

Avataara brings a homegrown, handcrafted charm to block print in Indian fashion, offering a refreshing spin on everyday ethnic wear. Their signature long kurtas—cut almost like tunic tops with playful slits and unexpected back details—balance tradition with a touch of modern ease. Designed to be styled with everything from jeans to tailored trousers, these versatile pieces move seamlessly from a pooja to a dinner out. Avataara’s approach proves that block prints don’t just belong in heirloom wardrobes; they can be bold, youthful, and endlessly adaptable. 

Anuvas

Anuvas distils the essence of Indian textiles into airy, modern silhouettes—think kurtis, kaftans, sleeveless tops, and crop blouses crafted from featherlight cottons, muls, chanderi, and silks. The brand celebrates indigenous craft with block prints, hand embroidery, and embellishments like phulkari, gota patti, mukaish, and salma sitara, giving heritage techniques a fresh, wearable spin. Balancing breathability and softness with cultural richness, Anuvas redefines everyday Indian wear for a global audience—garments that carry the soul of tradition while moving with the ease of contemporary life.

Block prints may have been born centuries ago, but their resurgence proves they’re anything but relics of the past. What began as a painstaking craft of carved wooden blocks and natural dyes has now slipped seamlessly into the wardrobes of Gen Z and millennials, transformed into dresses, corsets, wrap skirts, and tops that feel as at home on Instagram feeds as they do in heirloom trunks. This revival isn’t about reinventing the wheel, but about reminding us that some designs never lose relevance. In the hands of today’s designers and labels, block prints are no longer bound by tradition; they’re fluid, versatile, and deeply connected to identity.

Lead Image: Getty Images

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