The majority of my work in Textiles and Fashion begins with EcoPrinting. A sustainable process by which I print and dye silks and wools using rain and/or ocean water, and bioregional plant-based dye sources. Primarily, I use leaves from my garden; from the tree lined streets of my neighbourhood and from nearby Point Pleasant Park; from clippings and prunings thoughtfully saved by friends and family, and by several local businesses; and from what I stumble upon while tripping around our gorgeous Maritime provinces.
I wrap those leaves tightly inside fine fabric where, under the influence of metals (mordants), pressure, and very high heat, the leaves release their pigments into the silks and wools as they're pressed against them...
Of course, I can only collect so many fallen leaves, so, for an ample supply of fresh leaves, I owe many thanks to the following three sources...
... for the generosity of their green waste. I am overjoyed that they save the rose leaves that don't make it into their wedding bouquets, or the eucalyptus left over from holiday arrangements.
Thank you Hanna and Juanita!
To Boates Farm in the Annapolis Valley, who have allowed me to collect leaves from their orchard trees (where they also grow their pears in bottles, used by Ironworks Distillery, of Lunenburg, for their coveted Pear Brandy)... an amazingly whimsical sight...
And, to All Green Tree Care; arborists who first came to remove a weakened tree from our property (see, below, Ben hard at work, as viewed from our skylight), and since, have been alerting me to great stashes of leaves resulting from their work. Thank you, Ben!
I also owe thanks to India Flint, the Ecoprint Guru and Pioneer. Upon my return to NSCAD in 2011, I'd enrolled in an intensive workshop given by India. immediately, I fell in love with this gentle, ecofriendly process; not only because of the environmental implications, but, also because of the stunningly beautiful cloth that results. Since, I have worked almost exclusively in this soulful means of Surface Design.
From my handworked fabrics, I produce a line of one-of-a-kind scarves and clothing. I use these textiles in conjunction with silks from reclaimed vintage saris--which possess a preciousness all their own and demand much the same consideration--to design, and make by hand, pieces with a low-waste/minimal-cut approach. I acquiesce to the aesthetics/characteristics of the cloth—whether my own silks or sari silks—allowing each to dictate the respective finished garment. Due to the extremely limited quantity of each unique textile, every piece coming out of my studio is one-of-a-kind.
In Studio... (SLIDESHOW)
* Shamefully, the Textile/Fashion Industry is the second most polluting industry on earth; second only to oil—with Fast Fashion/Disposable Fashion being a foremost contributor to this environmental crisis. We can do better! As Consumers, we can Buy Less; Choose Better; Make it Last. As Designers, we can effect change through ecologically conscious approaches to textile sourcing; to our creative process/production practices; and in our design choices.
To that end, I dye and print natural fabrics using natural dye sources, in unison with other dye sources/processes having low environmental impact. In conjunction, I source silks reclaimed from vintage saris; giving each a second life and saving them from abruptly, and needlessly, ending their shortened lifecycle in landfills.
With these textiles, I design garments and accessories with a low waste/minimal cut approach, taking painstaking measures to celebrate and preserve the integrity of the textile; allowing the unique qualities of each to dictate the end design of the garment, to create original pieces precious enough to be cherished, thoughtfully cared for, perhaps even one day becoming heirlooms.
Because I dye and print in relatively small batches, and due to the unpredictable variables inherent in my process, duplicating the aesthetics of any given batch is virtually impossible. Even if I were able to duplicate results, I would choose not to. In addition, because the saris I use are vintage/reclaimed, it is astronomically unlikely I will source more than one of any specific design/dye lot. Consequently, the limited quantity of each textile ensures absolutely every piece coming out of my studio is one-of-a-kind. It is my hope my pieces will be worn in good health, happiness, and with passion — reflecting that in which they are made.
Be good to your clothes...
*My site is not setup for Ecommerce at this time. Please email if you're interested in anything you see, donn@donnsabean.ca