Natural Indigo My first collection is dyed using natural indigo. This natural dye is made from the leaves of the Indigofera plant, which are boiled to extract the dye and left for hours to make rich and intense colour used to dye the fabrics and yarns. Buying well and doing good There is an increasing awareness and genuine concern amongst customers of the damage and danger of a throw away culture. People are becoming more conscious, as am I, to buy quality and not quantity, and make things last. There is growing interest in alternatives to mass produced items with people looking towards slower production methods. I am very hopeful that the interest in slow fashion and how...
Block printing – An insight into the wonderful work of Indian Artisans Block printing is an ancient printing method, and although not unique to India, India is very much known for it. Bagru and Jaipur are most well known for block printing. Many families in Bagru are block printers, they will grow up to be block printers as the skill is passed down through the generations. Some artisans specialise in the wood carving of the block as this is a very intricate skill and takes time and precision. Other artisans will focus on printing with the blocks. Dabu print (mud print) In my first collection I have used mud print. Mud is used as a resist to the...
From a relatively early age I knew I wanted to have a creative career. Whether coincidence, or perhaps an indication of something that was just 'meant to be', the final major project for my art GCSE was based on India and was entitled 'An Explosion of Colour'. I researched the colours of India and from that moment I developed a fascination with the country. My final piece was a painted bus mounted on canvas. This picture of a decorated Indian bus was my inspiration. At university I studied Printed Textiles and Surface Pattern Design and specialised in print. I always had a thing for embroidery and hand embroidered many of my pieces. I loved my course, it was very vocational,...
India's culture is so rich and diverse. It is like no other country. The people have so much drive and ambition. Whatever their position in life, they are always looking for opportunities to grow. But at the same time they are also very caring people. The many skilled artisans that still use all the different traditional ancient processes in their villages, as a means of making a living and keeping the crafts alive. The bold and vivid colours are a constant all over India, from buildings, to decorated animals and the traditional clothing. The colours of India are a constant source of inspiration. The cities - I have a love for the cities in India, particularly having...