Services
How to work with us
ao textiles with Gainsborough:
Jacquard woven fabric that uses our natural dye colour palette is available to order.
The partnership between ao textiles and Gainsborough offers a unique service combining a natural dye colour consultancy with bespoke jacquard woven textile production for the luxury market. Together we have developed techniques that revive heritage alongside modern production methods; in particular, the use of natural colour from plants for contemporary textile production. All production, from dyeing the yarn to weaving the fabric, is done in-house. The partnership has established that colour sourced from sustainable botanicals, including plant dyes such as madder root, weld leaves and dye extracted from chestnut, can play a part in circular 21st century textile production, making an environmentally conscious move away from the synthetic petroleum-based colours common in textile manufacture today. The fabrics are created using naturally derived colours that are scalable, repeatable, and of the quality demanded by industry.
ABOUT THE PALETTE
We now offer a natural dye colour palette of five colours. Having access to the Gainsborough archive of jacquard woven fabrics is a fantastic resource. The rich history and diverse range of patterns and textures available in the archive can inspire new and innovative designs that have sustainability at their heart.
Any jacquard woven fabric from the archive can be interpreted in the ao palette and ordered from Gainsborough. Terms and conditions available.
Current colour palette
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Campeche
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Rubea
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Pale Rubea
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Luteola
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Castaneda
Bespoke colour can be created for couture and interior clients.
We can work with clients to develop bespoke sustainable natural dye colours suitable for fashion or interiors. The process begins with a consultation between the client and ao textiles. We can then sample a range of options based on the client’s aesthetic.
Once the client approves the sample colour, we then take it into production at Gainsborough where the skilled team of craftsmen use state-of-the-art equipment and traditional techniques to create the final jacquard.
We work closely with the client throughout the production process to ensure that the final product meets their expectations and is of the highest quality. Terms and conditions available.
Below are images showcasing a client project with couture designer Deborah Milner. All images Copyright Deborah Milner.
ao textiles can be booked to run a masterclass.
ao textiles believes in sharing knowledge and can be booked for a masterclass workshop exploring how to create colour using natural dyes and associated textile surface techniques.
Our previous clients include the V&A, Hauser and Wirth, and UAL, Chelsea School of Art.
ao textiles participate in panel discussions.
ao textiles regularly participates in talks and panel discussions on natural dye colour and sustainability within the field of textiles.
Sustainability Commitment
All aspects of textile production; from the replacement of synthetic colour with natural dyes to sustainably sourced silk yarn, obtained through an environmentally friendly process that does not involve the use of pesticides and plays a key role in supporting rural communities. Certified by Oeko-tex Standard 100 certification. The ao textiles dyeing process received the stamp of approval from Greenpeace International’s Detox Fashion Campaign in 2013. Using 100% sustainably sourced Oeko-tex Standard 100, Class I-IV natural dyes, which are compliant with the requirements of the ZDHC Manufacturing Restricted Substances List V2.0. Additionally, mordants and dyes are GOTS certified. The exhaustion process employed in the dyehouse reduces wastewater and dye to negligible levels. Excess heat from steam pipes is channelled via a heat exchanger into the drying cupboard to dry yarn using no additional energy. Production has been reduced to almost zero waste as all fabric is made to order. Any yarn that is not woven is donated to recycling charities and to students. Gainsborough fabrics are designed with longevity in mind and often exceed their expected life span of 25 years.
