Crafted by Hand, Stitched with Soul: The Heart of Chasing Unicorns

In a world that often moves at lightning speed, we find ourselves drawn to something quieter. Slower. More considered.

At Chasing Unicorns, we honour the way things used to be—when garments were made to last, stitched with care, and passed down through time. We choose to move with intention. To value process over production, and meaning over mass.

Each piece we create is shaped by human hands—woven, embroidered, and brought to life by skilled artisans who have inherited time-honoured techniques, many passed down through generations. These are crafts that carry stories. Textiles that hold history.

We collaborate closely with these artisans to breathe life into traditional methods that are rarely seen in modern manufacturing. And yes, that sometimes means waiting a little longer. But in the rhythm of slow fashion, that pause is part of the beauty.

Here’s a closer look at just some of the artisanal techniques that give our garments their unmistakable soul.

Hand Stitching
There’s something quietly powerful about a garment finished by hand. Each stitch is placed with purpose, an expression of care, patience, and skill. From detailed embroidery to hand-bound seams and rows of fabric-covered buttons, these elements offer a level of refinement and individuality that machines simply can’t replicate.

Hand stitching is a practice rooted in tradition. It reflects a time when clothing was made with longevity in mind, meant to be worn, repaired, and treasured over years, not discarded after a season. It brings character to every piece, a kind of subtle variation that can only come from the human hand.

These small but significant details are what set our garments apart. A quiet celebration of craftsmanship that connects the wearer to the story behind each thread.

Hand Beading
Hand beading is a meticulous, time-honoured craft. Each bead and sequin is stitched individually with the practiced rhythm of an artisan’s hands working with instinct and precision. It is a quiet, deliberate process that can take hours or even days to complete.

Often worked onto delicate fabrics like silk or cotton, the beads are placed with care to create patterns full of texture and life. These are not uniform embellishments. They shimmer with dimension, catching the light in ways that feel alive and intentional.

You can sense the time in each piece. The pauses. The patience. The shared conversations and quiet concentration. There is an intimacy to it, an invisible thread connecting maker to wearer through the art of adornment.

In a world that often values speed over skill, hand beading stands as a gentle refusal. A choice to create with care and to celebrate garments as lasting works of art.

Crochet
In a world of machine made trims and mass produced lace, true crochet is becoming increasingly rare. But not here. At Chasing Unicorns, every crochet detail, whether a delicate trim, a panelled insert, or an entire Chasing Unicorns piece, is made entirely by hand. Loop by loop. Stitch by stitch.

Each piece is created by artisans who carry on this age old technique, often passed down through generations. It is a meditative, time intensive process. While crochet can be replicated by machines, it will never carry the same heart or individuality as one made by hand. The rhythm of the maker, the small imperfections, the human touch — these are the things that bring it to life.

Crochet is part of our story. It speaks to our bohemian roots, our love of the seventies, and our enduring commitment to the handmade. It is a quiet stand against fast fashion. A reminder that some things are best made slowly, with care, and always by hand.

Hand Painting
Many of our silk dresses and blouses begin as blank canvases. Their colours, patterns, and markings are not printed but painted directly onto the fabric by hand. Brush in hand, our artisans work slowly and with intention, building each piece stroke by stroke.

This is not a quick or easy process. It is painstaking and deliberate, requiring precision, patience, and a practiced eye. Every line and wash of pigment is guided by the artist’s hand, responding to the flow of the fabric beneath. The result is never exactly the same twice. Each garment becomes a one of a kind, wearable artwork.

Hand painting brings a softness, a depth, and a sense of individuality that cannot be recreated through digital or mechanical processes. It honours the fabric, celebrates the maker, and invites the wearer into a story of time, care, and creative expression.

These are pieces that hold the spirit of the handmade. Art you can live in.