justine aldersey-williams : animist colour lover

Jenny Balfour Paul, writer, artist/dyer, traveller, curator and international lecturer, is author of ‘Indigo in the Arab World’ (Routledge), ‘Indigo: Egyptian Mummies to Blue Jeans’ (British Museum Press) and ‘Deeper than Indigo: tracing Thomas Machell, forgotten explorer’ (Medina Publications) as well as many other publications. 

She was consultant curator for the Whitworth Art gallery’s 2007 UK touring exhibition ‘Indigo, a Blue to Dye For’ and consultant for two documentary films on Indigo. 

Jenny is an Honorary Research Fellow at Exeter University; Fellow and past Trustee of the Royal Geographical Society; Fellow of the Royal Asiatic Society and New York’s Explorers Club; immediate past President of the UK’s Association of Guilds of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers and a partner in ‘Silk Road Connect’, an educational initiative launched by cellist Yo Yo Ma’s Silk Road Project in New York in 2009. 

She promotes revivals of natural dyes worldwide and researches dyes in historical archi...

The Wild Dyery just became a 'Plastic-Free Champion'

I met with Rebekah Gillmore from Surfers Against Sewage today to discuss ways The Wild Dyery can reduce our use of planetary resources, specifically single-use plastics. I had already structured the company with sustainable ethics in mind so had addressed many issues but as plastic is such an ubiquitous substance, there were some changes we identified that mean we've been awarded 'Plastic Free Approved Status'.

Who are Surfers Against Sewage?

SAS are an environmental charity focussing on the preservation of healthy oceans worldwide. From their website, "We’re a community dedicated to the protection of oceans, waves, beaches and wildlife.  We fight long and hard to protect what we love and we won’t stop until it’s completely clean, safe and protected for everyone, forever."

Recently my social media has been full of news about their North West representative, Becks as she single-handedly brings this charity to public awareness he...

Our *NEW* 2019 online training dates are:-

Module 1: Colour - Mon 4th Feb - Sat 2nd Mar 2019 

Module 2: Print - Mon 3rd - Sat 29th June 2019 

Module 3: Pattern - Mon 7th Oct - Sat 2nd Nov 2019

Thanks to everyone who has been enquiring by email and social media about next year's online workshop dates and apologies for keeping everyone waiting! I'm happy to announce that registration has just opened with a FLASH SALE.

If you're one of the first lucky 50 students to book all three modules using the code: NFDFLASH150 you'll pay just £449 rather than the usual price for all three of £599 until midnight on 11th November 2018. That's a saving of £150 for the first to sign up! This offer is likely to get snapped up very quickly so please take advantage of it as soon as you can.

After 11:11:18 you can still get an Early Bird Discount until midnight on 31:12:18 by using code: NFD123EB

Paying instalments...

If you need to split the cost, you can also pay in instalments until midnight ...

I spend a lot of my time chatting to students located all over the world as I support them through their online trainings, so it was lovely to be contacted by someone a lot close to home with an invite to meet in person. Alex Lowman is the course leader on the Foundation Diploma in Art and Design at Runshaw Adult College in Chorley, Lancashire. She took part in last year's inaugural run of Natural Fabric Dyeing: Colour, Print and Pattern and has since inspired a new generation of creatives to try plant dyes. Alex recently invited me to attend the private view of her students' graduation work and I was thrilled to accept.

It was so lovely to meet her in person last week, along with her students whom she has so obviously inspired to produce brilliant work.

Alex's feedback about the training she took was really complimentary so it's especially rewarding for me to realise that her love of the work she did with me has now passed on to these young designers. Take a look...

Over the last few years I've become increasingly aware of the "high cost of cheap fashion" and whilst developing our online training in natural fabric dyeing, I started researching ways I could contribute to a much needed change.

We all love a bargain but following the Rana Plaza garment factory collapse in 2013 when over 1000 people lost their lives due to unsafe working conditions, many of us started to understand just how our demand for cheap clothing and 'retail therapy' had deadly consequences, mainly for women in less affluent countries.

On April 24, 2013, an eight storey clothing factory in Rana Plaza, Bangladesh, collapsed killing 1,134 workers and injuring 2500. The building had been unsafe and in a state of disrepair yet because of the demand for cheap labour and fast fashion, the building owners ignored warnings and forced workers to carry on.

2013 Savar building collapse, Bangladesh. On Wednesday, 24 April 2013 in the Savar Upazila of Dhaka, Bangladesh where an eight-s...

Registration is re-opening!

*SIGN UP BEFORE THE END OF APRIL AND PAY JUST £599 USING THE DISCOUNT CODE: NFDCATCHUP

Did you miss the sign up to this year's online training? Module 1 of 'Natural Fabric Dyeing: Colour, Print and Pattern' took place earlier this year but after many requests, I've decided to allow 'on demand' instant access for those of you who'd like to catch-up before Module 2 starts. 

I've had so many people emailing me to say they only just found out about the course and asking if they could sign up now, even though Module 1 has ended that I had to do something to help. They've realised too late that there's only one chance to take this once a year training and feel like they've missed the boat. It is a long time to wait until the next run in 2019, so after much deliberation, I've re-opened registration as of now!

I had to think long and hard about this because I am totally convinced that people enjoy more success if they study online with the camaraderie of a gro...

This year, I am working on a community project called ‘Re-Wild Wirral’ to help raise awareness about sustainable alternatives to buying cheap, fast fashion. I’m encouraging people to love their clothing a little longer by up-cycling it using locally foraged plant dyes and colourful food waste and if you live locally, you're invited to join in!

Do you have an old, white (or pale) cotton T-shirt that’s been languishing in the back of your wardrobe? Are you willing to join a multi-coloured group of other volunteers for a photo shoot on Sunday 22^nd April 2018? If so, would you like me to re-dye and pattern your T-shirt using the botanical colours our ancestors used and shibori tie-dye patterns, for free?

This project is a form of creative activism running in collaboration with the international ‘Fashion Revolution’ event this April. This organisation campaigns for a safer, cleaner fashion industry.

(Images © Fashion Revolution www.fashionrevolution.org)

Currently the U.K. throws £12....

After years in development, I am thrilled to announce the first Wild Dyery retreat to the country! This will be a unique opportunity for a small group to hang out with me in one of the world’s most beautiful locations, whilst experimenting with local plant dyes and simple meditation techniques to help you adopt the pace of nature. There are only a few places so this is likely to sell out quickly. Visit the soul clothing event page for full details and to secure your place.

Natural Fabric Dyeing: Eco Colour, Print and Pattern Online Training