About our design

Our Story

Antana Styles is a partnership between two friends, Antonia and Susanna. Sustainability and craft is at the core of our brand. We created Antana Styles as we noticed a beautiful relationship between the timeless textiles of Indian hand block printing and Scottish tartan weaving. Both crafts are characterised by artistry, heritage and storytelling through fabric. The rich colours in tartan informed the palette for our block prints. We love the strong contrast that results in the combination of the delicate Indian prints with the bold structure of Scottish tartan. Our tartan is woven using 100% British wool and the organic cotton is block printed by hand. The process in both techniques is precise, slow and completely unique. Due to this, each piece is special, inimitable and a true celebration of craftsmanship. 

About hand block printing

Hand block printing is one of India’s oldest and most beautiful textile techniques. It involves carving the blocks, preparing, and dyeing the fabric and drying it at different stages to layer the colours. The intricate designs and patterns are stamped onto base fabric cotton or silk using dye-soaked, hand-carved wooden blocks.

Blocks are carved from woods like teak, sycamore, or pear, then soaked in oil for 10-15 days to soften the timber. The designs, often floral or inspired by nature, are sketched first, then carved. The fabric is washed, dyed, dried, and pinned to a printing table. Colours are mixed with glue and pigment binder to help them spread smoothly on the block, which is pressed repeatedly onto the fabric. Precision is key, especially when layering colours with multiple blocks. After printing, the fabric is sun-dried, steamed, washed again, dried, and ironed. It’s then ready for use.

Our factory is located to the south of Jaipur in Sanganer. The Sanganeri prints are mostly characterised by nature themed patterns which sit perfectly alongside our Scottish tartans. We particularly love the floral motifs, and it was incredibly special to see the blocks being hand carved while we were in Jaipur. 

Tartan Weaving

Tartan weaving is a unique craft, with each tartan pattern telling a story through its distinctive colours, stripes, and arrangement. The process involves weaving threads in a crisscrossing pattern, with vertical (warp) and horizontal (weft) threads creating a checkered design. Tartan designs can range from bold clan colours to modern variations, but all are carefully planned with a precise colour palette and thread count. The pattern, known as a "sett," often represents a particular clan, family, region, or occasion.

Traditionally woven with wool, which holds dye well and adds texture, tartan colours often have symbolic meanings, reflecting local nature or the area where the fabric was made. For example, greens may represent forests, while reds and yellows could draw from local flora.

Tartan weaving is not only a textile art but also a cultural expression, considered to be integral to Scotland's heritage. 

One of the most special aspects of tartan and a feature that we particularly love, is how it can look completely different depending on how it is cut, draped, or worn.

Slow fashion

Antana Styles takes a careful approach by avoiding mass production and focusing on small-batch, handcrafted designs. Our collections are created with care, ensuring that every piece is made with natural fabrics, produced ethically, and priced fairly. Our aim with new collections is to sell out and not allow excess products to go to waste.

Our production process is carefully considered and sustainable, with small factories in Jaipur and Scotland where in-house teams of pattern makers, tailors, cutters and packers collaborate. We ensure that each piece is crafted in ethical conditions, and with minimal environmental impact.

We use the highest quality materials, such as organic Indian cotton, which we source from our trusted suppliers in Jaipur. Our factory is SEDEX certified, ensuring fair wages, benefits, and safe working conditions for all employees, including an 8-hour workday, insurance, pensions, and 22 days of holiday each year.

At Antana Styles, we create for conscious consumers who value thoughtfully made products made from natural materials, that not only make them feel special, but also make a positive impact on people and the planet.