Artist makes fabric prints using natural dyes

Possession of colored fabrics was a status symbol back in the day: The more stripes your robes had, and the richer the hues of your scarves, the wealthier you are. It was, after all, an expensive affair to find pigments and dyes. The Royal or Imperial Purple, for example, draws its name from hefty price it fetched because it is derived from the secretion of sea snails.

But things changed when synthetic dyes were introduced to the textile industry. They were much easier and cheaper to make, and blend with the fabric. They also stood the test of time. These days, however, the use of synthetic coloring has been added to the long list of criticisms that the fashion industry is facing, which ranges from the unfair wages, to the bad working conditions, to the vast amount of waste it produces. Concerns regarding the use of synthetic dyes have been raised because of the harms they bring to the laborers, the wearers, and the environment. Giants in the clothing businesses have since been called out for releasing toxic substances to the rivers and streams, and also to the air.

Enter the artisans who learned how to make natural and sustainable dyes. One of them is Cara Marie Piazza, an artist based in New York City.

According to her website, her fabrics are "sourced ethically and sustainably, using only organic cottons and bamboo fibers as well as Ahimsa and Peace-grade silks." What Cara does is collect flowers, leaves, and branches, especially those that are about to go to waste, as well as minerals, and non-toxic metals. We know that tea leaves leave stains on our porcelain – surely they can also do that on fabrics!

Through bundle dyeing, the dyes from these botanicals and substances are applied on the fabric, creating patterns that are unique. There’s no risk of inhaling toxic fumes, and in fact, some suppliers of naturally dyed fabrics make claims about their "possible wellness benefits."

Whether or not the dyes indeed have calming effect, or stimulates the nervous system, the fact is they make use of substances that exist in nature. They do not add to water pollution, and threaten marine life. And because she only responds to custom orders, she does not contribute to the quick turnover of clothing in the industry, which generates tons of waste each new season.

Learn more about Cara’s offering here by visiting her website today.

Author's Note: This article is written with Richard Kimball, who is a devoted philanthropist whose only goal is to share brighter horizons with our brothers and sisters who live in war-torn and poverty-stricken areas. In partnership with a myriad of organizations, he aims to continue touching the lives of those who don’t have access to food, education, and health care.

Leo Aranas is an online writer and blogger.