Reviving Natural Dyes: A Sustainable Journey in Textile Production
In 1856, the discovery of synthetic colour mauvine marked a pivotal moment in dye history. Consequently, over time, much of the knowledge regarding natural dyes faded into obscurity, relegated to crafts or historic tapestry restoration. However, awareness of the global environmental impact of textile dyeing prompted AO Textiles in 2006 to revive ancient wisdom surrounding plant-based dyes, breathing new life into 21st-century textile production.
Despite contemporary adaptations, synthetic dyes due to their non-biodegradable nature remain a significant threat to the environment, persisting in the water table and ocean life for millennia (Singh, 2021.) Natural dyes have often been misunderstood in contemporary culture, unfairly considered inferior in colour quality and durability. Working as AO Textiles, Penny Walsh, Karen Spurgin, and Emma D'Arcey have dedicated years to dispelling these misconceptions.
Want to read more of this article?
We are proud to be a subscriber-funded publication with members in 185 countries. We know our readership is passionate about textiles, so we invite you to help us preserve and promote the stories, memories, and histories that fabric holds. Your support allows us to publish our magazine, and also ‘what's on’ information, and subscription interviews, reviews, and long-read articles in our online blog.
ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER? CLICK HERE TO ACCESS CONTENT
