Lotus & Michael’s Vision led by Plant Dyed Fabric Garments

The original source of this blog: https://www.lotusandmichael.com/blogs/news/lotus-michael-s-vision-led-by-plant-dyed-fabric-garments

I was introduced to plant dyed fabrics three years ago when I was in Shanghai learning to hand sew Qipao dresses. The studio where I lodged had a lot of books regarding plant dye, and my beddings were made with plant dyed fabrics. It was in September, the heat from summer remained. The first night when I slipped into bed, I instantly felt the difference. Though all the beddings I used in my house were good European linen, these made my skin feel cooler, suppler, and they had a nice, natural smell.

Therefore, I started to research more about plant dyed fabrics. The more I knew about them, the more I fell in love. My husband has called me a “Naturalist”. That’s true—I avoid all synthetic materials and chemical stuff in our daily life, even though in most cases it costs me a lot of efforts. So, no wonder that I could head toward plant dye without hesitation.

Technologies make the modern world move fast and we can live a very easy life if we choose to—food delivery, internet, social media, fast fashion. We almost don’t need anything but a smart phone. While going against this fast, easy trend, folks like me have decided to slow down a bit. 

Perhaps my background built most of this mentality. I was born in a village in central China, where the climates of north and south, west and east met. There were mountains, plains, and rivers. Though my family moved to a town when I was three years old, I still loved being in the country and spent almost all my childhood summertimes in the village. Learning from my surroundings and the farmers, I appreciated that kind of lifestyle—go simple, go natural, do things with your hands. 

That philosophy embedded in my mind. Since I was a little kid, I disliked polybags and plastics; I used handkerchiefs to wipe my nose and bamboo baskets to carry things. Even today I have a handkerchief in my pocket all the time and more than sixty baskets for me to store things. If you visit my home, you will find no plastic—my waste can is a rattan bin with lid; my bed is just a futon; the only plastic-looking thing perhaps is the garbage bag which actually is made from plant starch.  

I worship this natural, authentic, unbleached lifestyle. I like to enhance it more and share it with others. That’s why, when we began this business, we already had the idea of shaping it into a lifestyle brand—we not only sell products, but also invite people to take a look of our life which hopefully can inspire people and show them a sustainable example. As a person who worked in the fashion industry for more than fifteen years, and my husband decades, we believe that the core of a garment should be its fabric: It’s fundamental to the quality, functions, and aesthetics. It’s the bricks of a house.

Usually when a garment catches my eye (the color, the style), I would like to touch it first (the hand feel), then I read its wash label carefully about the materials, washing instructions etc,. Very likely good fabrics are only used for quality garments (otherwise the cost will be too high and the fabrics will be wasted), while low-standard garments always go with poor fabrics. Price doesn’t absolutely relate to the quality, but no doubt you will get what you pay for.

I like long lasting value. When I purchase my garden tools, I always wish they can be with me lifelong; ideally, they can be passed to the next generation (or generations). So hardwood handle, forged cast iron material, simple robust design…each one can break the deal if it fails to meet my criteria. I use the same philosophy when I build my clothing line.

First and the fundamental factor is the fabrics. So far and forever I will only use natural materials like linen and plant dyed fabrics. Especially the plant dye—like I said earlier about the beddings in the lodge, they spoke to me right away. Because the plant dye stuff can only be applied to natural fabrics, it’s a double guarantee that the garments of plant dye are safe and healthy.

Beyond that, plant dyed colors are just so appealing. For example, I use the below picture as my laptop’s desktop. In the picture I was wearing my own garments—my orchid blouse and the double happiness pants. They both are in blue while can you tell which one is plant dyed and which one isn’t? Yes I made the garments so I know; but supposing I am just an outsider I think I still can—the blouse shows a reddish hue so it is linen dyed by industrial dyestuff (chemical); the pants, made with plant dyed linen cotton, have a beautiful, pure blue color which is in harmony with all other colors and the environment. The poetic way to describe this blue color is: It’s brighter than indigo, but deeper than ocean; it’s like Prussian blue highlighted with cobalt; it’s the color of a clear, calm mountain lake shining under the autumn sun.  

And the most wonderful thing is, each plant dyed garment can be set to your own personalization—as the dye is all natural, the color isn’t as stiff as chemical ones; each lot of fabric may show a slight color difference, and the longer and more often you wear the garments, the more character the garments will reveal about you: If you like exposing yourself to the sun, the color of your garments will fade more; if you are a backpacker, the color sign on your shoulders can tell; if you do a lot of desk work, you will find the color at your elbow worn more gently… This natural color changing and fading procedure is like tree foliage, gradually it makes your garment your unique piece. And since all our garments are built to last, with a little TLC, they can accompany you for years. Yes, you may say it’s the flaw of plant dye compared to conventional dyestuffs, but for our health’s and the planet’s sake, we embrace its imperfection—the Japanese call it wabi-sabi.

The second philosophy I have about fashion is--classic. We only select and modify the most classic, timeless styles to suit as many of your needs as possible. From our website you can see our line is curated, basically just a few styles--which maintain our simplicity, just like our lifestyle, and which you will be happy to wear, well, forever.

People may say that classic means boring, means like everybody. But if the garment is made with quality, beautiful fabric, built with character, plus, in our case, with a touch of artistic design (our original embroidery), that garment definitely will make a statement for its wearer.

Yes, I am an artist as well, and a home gardener. All the embroideries on my garments were sketched and designed by myself, and all the flowers embroidered are actually planted in my own garden. I planted them, tended them; they flowered for me, delivered their sweet fragrances to me, and most of them are edible (like the peonies, like the chrysanthemums). They showed me the beauties and possibilities in all four seasons, therefore I sing praises of them, and Nature.

Our business is small and young, like an infant. There were so many things we learned in the past one and a half years and there will be more for us to learn and explore. Lucky that we found plant dyes, and that we can contribute our small part to the society and inspire others; lucky that we were born on this beautiful planet and are generously provided by our Mother Nature; lucky that so many little graces shine here and there and they make our lives worthy. 

One more bonus about the plant dyed garments: They do have a subtle, pleasant, natural aroma. Every time I open my closet, I can smell it—it’s not the typical acid smell that we get from some new garments; it’s more like ripe crops basking under the sun, or a barn where the newly harvested grains are stored; it smells mature, soothing, and secure. Eventually the smell fades away, but its memory will linger 😊