Every summer, Mom and I make our annual journey back to Thailand. It's more than a visit—it’s a homecoming. We spend time with our family, reconnect with our team, and most importantly, we search for new inspiration and knowledge to infuse into the heart of COCO DE CHOM.
This summer, something truly special happened.
On our very first day back in Thailand, we had the honor of meeting Saruda Kantawong, a master of traditional tie dye and one of the most generous artisans in the natural dye community. She’s not only an artist, but a teacher—sharing her knowledge of Shibori and plant-based dye techniques with local makers to help preserve and grow this beautiful art form.
Meeting Saruda was like stepping into a living storybook. Her presence was calm, wise, and filled with so much care for her craft. She welcomed us warmly into her studio, and we knew right away that this was going to be a summer to remember.
From Plain to Personal: Reimagining Our Signature Pieces
As many of you know, our Kori Goddess Kaftan and Linen Kimono are some of our most loved designs. They're usually made in soft, solid colors—easy to wear, elegant, and timeless. But this summer, something in us said: “Let’s try something completely new. Let’s turn these classics into art.”
With Suruda's guidance, we decided to use natural indigo dye—a beautiful plant-based pigment known for its deep, rich blues and earthy tones. Natural indigo is much more than a color—it’s a living dye that changes with time, sunlight, and every unique fabric it touches.
We started the day preparing the indigo water, which is a delicate process in itself. Indigo dye is alive, and it must be nurtured and watched closely. Meanwhile, Mom began learning how to fold and tie the fabric to create the Shibori patterns on the kaftan, while I worked on Shibori and mixing color technique. We wanted to create something one-of-a-kind—a piece that couldn't be replicated even if we tried.
The Art (and Struggle) of True Tie Dye
Let me tell you—it was not easy.
Tie dye at this level isn’t just about color; it’s about understanding fabric, tension, layering, and how dye will absorb across every fold. It takes patience, precision, and a bit of faith.
We spent over three hours trying, folding, tying, soaking, and re-tying. Just when we thought we had it right, we untied the fabric… and the pattern didn’t turn out the way we hoped. It wasn’t balanced, the dye didn’t reach the areas we expected. And we realized—we had to do it again.
This was the lesson: true craftsmanship takes time. It takes letting go of perfection and giving in to the rhythm of trial, error, and learning.
Leaving It to the Master
In the end, we left both pieces—our Kaftan and Kimono—with Suruda. We trusted her hands and her heart to finish what we had started. Two weeks later, a package arrived.
We opened it together, and the moment we unfolded the fabric, we both gasped.
The Kori Goddess Kaftan had transformed into a flowing canvas of deep indigo waves and soft, organic patterns. The Linen Kimono, once structured and simple, now felt alive—every inch telling a story through its handcrafted detail. They were no longer just garments. They were art pieces.
From Craft to Camera: Showing the Soul Behind the Style
Of course, we had to bring them to our photoshoot. We styled the Kaftan with our signature boho pants and handmade jewelry, just to see how everything flowed together. It was magical. We didn’t want to over-style it. The dress, the kimono—they told their own stories.
Every step of this process was real—made by human hands, not computers or machines. No AI, no shortcuts. Just our messy hands, our mistakes, our laughter, our learning, and our joy.
From the moment we tied the first knot to the final click of the camera, it was all done with heart. This is what makes COCO DE CHOM special—not just what we make, but how and why we make it.
Why It Matters
This project reminds us that slow, sustainable fashion is still possible. These garments are one-of-a-kind. Handmade. Dyed with plants. Ethically created. Never to be repeated.
This isn’t just fashion—it’s connection. To tradition. To craftsmanship. To people. To the Earth.
A Little Piece of Our Summer
We hope, when you wear the Limited Edition Kori Natural Indigo Kaftan or our Linen Indigo Kimono, you feel that connection too. You’re wearing more than a dress. You’re wearing a story.
A story of a mother and daughter, learning something new. Of a kind artisan passing down wisdom. Of messy hands, rich blue dye, and fabrics dancing in the breeze.
A story of craft, care, and creativity.
We only made one of each. That’s it. No restock, no copies. Just two real pieces from one unforgettable summer.
We hope you love them as much as we do. 💙
With love,
Chom
COCO DE CHOM®
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