WE WEAR
From Plants to Colours by Malú Colorín (Talú)
16 people
Join natural dyer Malú Colorín from Talú in a fun workshop where we'll discover how to transform plants into colours for textiles! We will delve into the main principles to consider when choosing dyestuffs and learn tried and tested methods to get the colour to *stay*.
We will use a mixture of plants foraged on-site, kitchen scraps and some historical European dye plants known for their colour reliability. You will learn how to prepare the textiles and what are the best plants (and kitchen scraps) to use for dyeing.
As the morning goes by, you'll become familiar with two different natural dyeing techniques to achieve both solid colours and multicoloured textured looks.
Finally, we will play with colour modifiers to expand our colour palette, revealing different hues from the same plant. At the end of the workshop, you'll leave with your very own custom-dyed Irish linen kerchief and wool samples!
Malú Colorín is a Mexican natural dyer and designer living in West Wicklow. She is the founder of Talú, a natural dye house and educational hub that helps creatives reconnect to colour and the Land through workshops, events & dye services.
The annual Archipelago Festival of Colour in Co. Antrim is Talú's biggest annual event, focused entirely on the magic of natural colour.
Malú is also the co-founder of Fibreshed Ireland, a community-supported social enterprise building networks to craft a regenerative Irish textile system based on local fibre, local dyes & local labour.
Her work draws inspiration from the traditional garments of her native Mexico, while embracing the rich heritage of Irish textiles.
By working slowly and mindfully, she aims to build an intimate connection with each of her dye sources, as well as the Land where they grow.
Thanks to her background in graphic design, she's an avid systems thinker, constantly dreaming up ways to dismantle the interconnected systems of oppression behind climate change and social injustice.
Website: https://talu.earth/
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/talu.earth
Instagram: https://instagram.com/talu.earth
You are probably well aware of the countless social and environmental problems caused by the fast fashion industry, but did you know that up to 20% of freshwater pollution is caused by synthetic textile dyes and finishes? Synthetic dyes are also a threat to the health of garment workers who produce or handle them, potentially resulting in conditions that range from contact dermatitis to cancer. Moreover, Greenpeace International found an increased number of harmful chemicals, such as phthalates and nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEs), in clothing from various big brands. Phthalates have been demonstrated to be endocrine disruptors and are detrimental to human health.
This is not to say that you should immediately get rid of all your clothing! Far from it. The aim is to be more mindful of what’s in your clothes, reduce your purchases of new garments, choose natural fibres and dyes instead of synthetics, and make your current wardrobe last longer through small actions such as mending and natural dyeing.
Learning natural dyeing doesn’t just mean gaining a new skill, it also allows you to discover more about the natural world and become more curious about the plants around you. Developing a closer relationship with Mother Nature is key to addressing the climate and biodiversity crises we are facing , and natural dyeing is one of many activities that can help remind us that we belong to the Land, not the other way around.
These workshops are made possible with the support of our funding partners, from the DAERA Carrier Bag Levy scheme, and the Tourism, Culture, Heritage and Arts unit, Belfast City Council.
