Natural Dyes are extracted from natural produce, such as flowers, fruits, seeds, stones, etc...
For example, the vibrant color of the fruit depicted in the picture can be extracted and used as a natural dye. This pigment can effectively color cotton, jute, and khadi fabrics.
How did natural dye begin?
Humans as a civilization have been using natural dyes as early as the Neolithic age…There is evidence found in Asian and African continents, The earliest textile trade that started from east to west was silk which was naturally dyed. Evidence of indigo used as dye goes back to the Indus Valley civilization.
Before colonization started, for millennia, generations of people wore all kinds of natural fabrics dyed in natural dyes, there was no contamination of natural resources back then as natural dyes and natural fabrics were eco-friendly and sustainable.
India was known for its textiles and its natural dyeing method...Indians had developed a unique way of dyeing natural fabrics, sustainably. This eco-friendly clothing was sorted out by the royals of ancient civilizations like the Greeks and Egypt. So much so, that the color Indigo is named after its country of origin, India by the Greeks.
What went wrong with Dyes?
After the Industrial Revolution in the 19th century, textile making and dyeing shifted from traditional handcrafted eastern enterprises to machine-generated industries of the West… The demand to manufacture more clothing in less time and energy was a priority to make the huge investment viable. Scientists developed formulas using chemical compounds that synthesized colors in laboratories, this led to the widespread use of chemical dyeing or synthetic dyeing all over the world…. These dyes are so toxic and have no regard for the environment, when they come in contact with water, soil, and air it contaminates them irreversibly.
Unfortunately, very little is known about the textile pollution to the larger public…
Within a century of chemical dyeing; the planet is pushed to the brink of irreversible damage by the unsustainable clothing industry… It is high time; we think of a sustainable way to cloth ourselves without destroying our planet and its resources.
What could be the solution?
A more conscious, informed way of being and consuming could be the way out. If we don’t take note of the consequences of our choices, we might be the biggest cause of our destruction. Let’s make better sustainable choices.
Natural dyes and the sustainable dyeing process are gaining popularity as a premium art form among artists and niche designers. However, to truly make a positive impact, these eco-friendly practices need to extend beyond limited-edition fashion trends.
There's a pressing need for medium to large-scale production of natural dyed textiles, making them accessible to a broader audience. Establishing a social enterprise that integrates local dyers, tailors, and retailers can bridge this gap and promote the widespread adoption of sustainable fashion.
One brand promises to give us ethically sourced fabric and naturally dyed clothing…Livbio is a sustainable and eco-friendly social enterprise where people and resources are treated fairly and gently.
At Livbio the principles of Ahimsa Economy are a priority…that is no animals, water, or soil are harmed while making products at Livbio. The brand emerges as a solution in the heart of the textile industry-contaminated state, Tamil Nadu…
This social enterprise makes skin-friendly, non-toxic clothing, such as women's undergarments and men's/women's T-shirts made from ethically sourced fabric.
Such sustainable slow fashion is the answer to the climate crisis and will become the pioneer in the sustainable clothing sector in India if we switch to a sustainable and eco-friendly lifestyle.