Corporate Fashion Embraces Natural Dyes
Cotton Roots, an ethical supplier of corporate clothing, is set to launch its new range of naturally dyed fabrics at the end of this month. Mandy Barder writes.
Cotton Roots will be using its fairtrade and organic background to produce eco-friendly and affordable dyed garments and merchandise that use natural ingredients, such as, tea, coffee, pomegranate, henna and onion.
Susan Waters, Managing Director of the Milton Keynes based company says that natural dyes have always been impossible to produce commercially without using chemicals to “fix” the colours.
“People have just not done it on any scale, but now using a technique in India we can. The possibilities are endless, from real tea-shirts in cafes to coffee-dyed aprons and we’re already receiving some amazing ideas from companies looking for a new way to develop their brand”, she says.
Waters was inspired to create this division of the business after perusing an antique clothing collection at the Victorian and Albert Museum in London. All the clothes had been dyed with the use of natural ingredients and traditional techniques. The exhibition explained how traditionally people would use plants, minerals, salts and sunlight to dye their clothes and the end result was a richer and softer fabric that a lot of modern dyes can’t quite match.
The tipping point for Waters idea was when she was having a cup of tea at the museum and wondered how far she could take dying T-shirts with actual tea. So the natural dying arm of her business was born with a further sustainable process to match its Fairtrade and Organic values.
Waters asserts the sincerity of the concept: “We see a world where companies and charities can demonstrate their ethical values, and show commitment to communities and the planet, while enjoying hugely vibrant and lasting colours.”
Product prices start at £6.00 and the company logo will be branded on them.
For more information call 01908 290482 or visit HYPERLINK “http://www.cottonroots.co.uk”www.cottonroots.co.uk.
Cotton Roots, an ethical supplier of corporate clothing, is set to launch its new range of naturally dyed fabrics at the end of this month. Mandy Barder writes.
Cotton Roots will be using its fairtrade and organic background to produce eco-friendly and affordable dyed garments and merchandise that use natural ingredients, such as, tea, coffee, pomegranate, henna and onion.
Susan Waters, Managing Director of the Milton Keynes based company says that natural dyes have always been impossible to produce commercially without using chemicals to “fix” the colours.
“People have just not done it on any scale, but now using a technique in India we can. The possibilities are endless, from real tea-shirts in cafes to coffee-dyed aprons and we’re already receiving some amazing ideas from companies looking for a new way to develop their brand”, she says.
Waters was inspired to create this division of the business after perusing an antique clothing collection at the Victorian and Albert Museum in London. All the clothes had been dyed with the use of natural ingredients and traditional techniques. The exhibition explained how traditionally people would use plants, minerals, salts and sunlight to dye their clothes and the end result was a richer and softer fabric that a lot of modern dyes can’t quite match.
The tipping point for Waters idea was when she was having a cup of tea at the museum and wondered how far she could take dying T-shirts with actual tea. So the natural dying arm of her business was born with a further sustainable process to match its Fairtrade and Organic values.
Waters asserts the sincerity of the concept: “We see a world where companies and charities can demonstrate their ethical values, and show commitment to communities and the planet, while enjoying hugely vibrant and lasting colours.”
Product prices start at £6.00 and the company logo will be branded on them.
Cotton Roots
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