Episode 4

Aizome

Natalia, better known as ‘the girl with the blue hands’, is an indigo dyer based in Oaxaca, Mexico.

 

Tie-dyeing techniques have existed across the globe for centuries, from the indigenous tribes of Mesoamerica to the Far East. Indigo dyeing in particular has a rich history in both Mexico and Japan, where locally sourced xiuquilitl (indigo) or ai (藍) was a valuable commodity. It was not until synthetic replacements became widely accessible that the craft started dwindling, but ancient techniques like shibori have seen a revival in recent years.

 

Aizome is a lesson in patience and wabi-sabi: one learns through trial and error, never quite sure of the final result. The dye changes from blue to green to blue again, as if by magic, due to oxidation, and as many as 30 consecutive dips may be necessary to achieve the darkest shades of indigo. No matter how precise the technique, no two pieces will ever be the same. Check out Natalia’s one-of-a-kind designs on Instagram.

Natural indigo dye used for aizome
A young woman preparing materials for a natural dye
Episode 3 - aizome (3)
Woman holding a freshly dyed cloth

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