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COLOURS OF THE EARTH
An expression of textile art that strengthens the bond between humankind and nature.
ABOUT
Hi and welcome!
I'm Melba: Chilean - Australian Textile Artist specializing in natural dyes.
Thank you for being here.
BIO
I grew up in the south of Chile, with rainy weather, evergreen forests and a carefree lifestyle that helped me develop my deep connection to nature.
My interest in textiles started through fashion. Ever since I was little, I designed my own clothes. Once I finished high school, I moved to Santiago de Chile to study advertising. Years later, I moved to Australia. Melbourne was the first city I came to. Inspired by the fashion designer Coco Chanel, I worked to create my own clothing label.
I learned about fashion and textiles through the most alternative ways...
THE ART OF NATURAL DYEING
The practice of extracting colours from natural sources such as barks, leaves, flowers, insects, mineral, etc is as old as is our civilization and it was the only method known until 1856, when Henry Perkin, an English chemist, accidentally produced and discovered the synthetic dyes.
From that period, the textile industry underwent a great change and....
ECOPRINTING
Ecoprint is a contemporary technique discovered by the Australian textile artist India Flint in the 90’s. Eco printing is about the transfer the hidden colours and shapes from leaves and/ or flowers to paper or natural fabrics.
Depending on the type of fibres, treatments, mordents, leaves, seasons, chemistry, etc. The results may vary between one to another.
MY TEXTILE CREATIONS
I believe it is essential to work in a sustainable way and strive to preserve our natural heritage, especially in today’s times where many species are threatened with extinction by inappropriate human activities, putting the Earth's biodiversity at risk.
My way of caring and showing my love to the Earth is through the exclusive use of natural colours to dye my fabrics, many of which I find on the ground after a windy day. Others come from food waste and others are gifts from my garden that I have patiently dedicated myself to expanding and watching grow.
Working with natural dyes is a very beautiful, rewarding and delicate practice. It allows me to...
SHOP
Each piece contains a small part of the plants’ life within its fibres; creating something special and absolutely unique.
Melba Aros
CONTACT ME
Thank you for your interest. For inquiries, stock requests or workshop bookings, please fill out the form below.