So what is dyeing with natural dyes and how does it work? In order for the colors to last, it is very important to choose and pre-prepare the fabric, whereby only natural materials can be dyed with natural colors. The material can be prepared for dyeing using various techniques (at least 8 hours and over 6 steps). This is followed by the preparation of dyes and color baths. Colors can be extracted from flowers, wood, leaves, kitchen scraps, etc. Then the painting begins. Romana says: “natural dyeing is a slow and nature-related process that involves a lot of picking, soaking, wringing, mixing, twisting, rinsing and manual work in general”.
Romana describes natural coloring as a process of learning to let go of control, as the end result cannot be 100% predicted or repeated. Every piece of textile is completely unique and unrepeatable. For COT X Brinas Studio armchair, feminine and gentle colors – pink, yellow and soft red – were chosen. Romana combined different painting techniques and used 3 different color recipes in the color palette of yellow (obtained from yellowish padlock), coral red (from madder root) and pink (from parasitic cochineal insects).