Tree Colour

Tree Colour .

Circular Colour Textile Research

My current practice-based research focusses on the concept of using naturally occurring agricultural tree waste to create regenerative, viable, marketable natural dye.

I have been designing and researching in sustainable / circular design since 2006 when I co-founded ao textiles.

Through ao textiles where the key mission underpinning our work is taking natural dyes into commercial production I’ve become fascinated by natural colour.

During the first 2020 lockdown where my base unexpectedly changed to Somerset I discovered I had access to an outdoor research lab.

I started brainstorming the testing of plants as dyes in my local area, a 2 mile radius. This included woodland, countryside and a palace heritage garden with the advantage of knowledge from professional gardeners.

I realised through R&D that it was waste from trees that I am so interested in: nut hulls, barks, leaves and fruits etc.

It is this research that I am currently building with a view to exploring potential avenues to circular colour in a local context for the fashion textile industry.

I am currently linking with relevant farmers, local businesses and anyone directly involved in agroforestry. If you would like further information then do get in touch: info@emmadarcey.com

A founder member of The Dyers Circle

ao textiles

I work as a designer, colourist, researcher and educator, having co- founded ao textiles, a consultancy developing colour for circular textile production in the 21st century.

Below gives a sense of projects I am currently involved with that relate to developing natural dyes in production.

info@emmadarcey.com / info@aotextiles.com