Spreading joy with intentional and sustainable colour
India’s vibrant culture and traditions make it one of the most colourful and diverse countries in the world. From the beautiful saris, sparkling jewellery and tropical fruits that line the market stalls to the wild landscapes, ancient cities and diverse wildlife, the colours and textures make it a kaleidoscope of captivating visions and experiences.
Perhaps the most famous celebration of colour in India is Holi, the Festival of Colour, which marks the transition from Winter to Spring and is happening on 7 March this year. The rituals involve throwing and rubbing colours over one another, originally the colours were made from plants, roots and flowers, and the intention was to cleanse, purify and heal the body as we crossed the threshold into Spring. It’s a beautiful and lively reflection of the colours of the earth as Spring begins to blossom throughout nature!
AN ANCIENT TECHNIQUE
When our vision of FARA was just emerging we were hugely influenced by this kaleidoscope and love of colours whilst also being very moved by the talented artisans who were creating beauty in the endless ways that they do. The spectrum of arts and techniques being practiced, by hand, in India is nothing less than extraordinary! One such technique which captured our hearts and lies at the heart of FARA’s creative vision is tie-dye. India, and Goa specifically with the 60’s hippie influence, inspired our love for this process and we recognised an opportunity to both honour and protect this ancient practice and the people who are skilfully carrying the tradition through generations.
Hand tie-dyeing is an ancient technique that has been practiced in India for hundreds of years. The technique has roots in Indian culture, which is, quite beautifully, centered around the connection between the creator and the colours used. It is also believed that the colours used in art and clothing had spiritual significance, representing protection, prayer and devotion. The technique involves tying a pattern into the fabric prior to dyeing which develops intricate and unique patterns on the fabric. Hand tie-dye forms a distinctive design which cannot be replicated by any other method.
Although there is a rich history of tie-dye throughout India, the pink city of Jaipur in Rajasthan, which has a long tradition of textile production, is particularly famous for its intricate and colourful tie-dye fabrics. One such technique used in Jaipur is Bandhani, derived from the Hindi word “bandhan” meaning simply “to tie”.
Hand tie-dye is a labour intensive process that requires a huge amount of skill and patience and the artisan communities in Jaipur have often been involved in textile productions for centuries. The techniques are passed down from generation to generation and the artisans who practice this craft are highly skilled and have a deep understanding of the dyeing processes by which they are able to create diverse and intricate patterns using various techniques. Their work is highly valued for its beauty and quality.
INTENTIONAL & SUSTAINABLE
Every piece of fabric is individually and intentionally tied and dyed to create the delicate and stunning patterns which make our FARA designs so special. Every piece of FARA is a one-off and beautifully unique! The hand tie-dye process also supports sustainable production as it requires small batches of water and has minimal water and energy wastage. We also only use AZO-free dyes which are eco-friendly and cause minimum ecological impact and this keeps both our environment and our workers safe.
By working directly with artisans in Jaipur, we both empower the families and their local community whilst also preserving the skills and knowledge for future generations. As they are experts in their craft and passionate in how and what they create, we can also ensure that our products are of high quality and authenticity. Their love and dedication shines through into the fabrics and designs that we bring to you.
A KIND REBELLION
More recently, during the 60’s and 70’s hippie movement, tie-dye became a symbol of rebellion that denied mainstream materialist and consumerist culture and celebrated peace, love and unity. Today, in our way, we continue the rebellion and translate our values and vision towards a more conscious, kind, joyful and collaborative future into every piece of FARA that we create.
