My Journey Towards the Colors of Nature
My name is Ebru Corches. I remember the first time I saw the prints of real leaves and flowers on fabric. It was just before we moved to the NL with my family. I thought these prints were one of the most fascinating things I have ever seen. How could it be possible to transfer the beautiful shapes and the colors of the leaves permanently on fabric? I needed to learn this Eco-Printing well!
Short after that, I discovered the world of natural colorants of fabric and started combining the two techniques.
It took me so much experimentation to reach a level where I am satisfied with my work. I have learned so much about the natural colour sources, how certain plants print and how these two interact with each other.
It is such a deep subject, that you never run out of ideas and experiments. So, the journey continues and I ask many “what if” questions every day!
I feel grateful that because my attention is mostly on nature, I feel more connected to it. It is lovely to trace the beauty of the nature on fabric and this job has no connection whatsoever with my previous career.
Natural Colors Visited Dutch Design Week!
It was a great experience to participate to this major design event of Europe with my natural work in October 2021.
I chose Madder Root as main dye material for the silk panels which are at the core of this project. It is a legendary dye, no doubt, which changed the course of the history. It contains more than 15 different dye compounds. Skilled dyers kept their recipes as secret for centuries, so that not many can reach the bright perfect red that Madder provides.
It is such a timeless dye and exists since the prehistorical times. Most importantly, it represents a connection for me with my birthland Turkey and the Netherlands where I currently live.
In Anatolia Turkey red was widely used especially on the rugs some of which survived for centuries without fading.
In Zeeland a very high-quality madder was produced and used up until the mid-19th century. I found this common cultural heritage very inspiring when I started my project. Natural dyeing helped me to connect with my new land because it brought my attention on the nature which is very beautiful and accessible in the Netherlands.
I also used eco-printed leaves and incorporated all the elements using embroidery techniques with my interpretation.
I hope to see much more involvement in natural dyeing in the future of fashion industry as a sustainable practice.
