Explore the Opening of Indigo Week with Dr. Dominique Cardon: A Journey Through the History of Indigo and Purple
Last night, Dr. Dominique Cardon opened Indigo Week with a remarkable journey through thousands of years of colour history.
Nearly 50 members joined us live for the presentation, creating a wonderful atmosphere of curiosity, discussion and shared learning.
From ancient textiles and archaeological discoveries to marine purples, indigo-bearing plants and traditional dye knowledge from around the world, the lecture revealed how deeply indigo and purple are woven into human culture.
It was a fascinating evening filled with stories, research and unexpected connections across continents and centuries.
As Dominique guided us through evidence from archaeological finds, historical texts and traditional dye practices, we were reminded that the story of indigo is far bigger than any single plant, place or period in history. It is a story of human ingenuity, observation, trade, culture and our enduring relationship with colour drawn from nature.
Along the way we explored ancient recipes, lost technologies, dye plants from across the globe and the remarkable ways modern scientific analysis is helping us uncover new evidence about some of humanity's oldest colour traditions.
If you weren't able to join us live, the recording is now available to all Indigo Week participants and Full Members of The Natural Dyers & Growers Academy.
📹 Recording Available Here:
Please note that due to a brief recording interruption towards the end of the session, the recording has been uploaded in two parts, with the second recording containing the final few minutes and closing discussion.
📚 Further Reading
For those wishing to explore Dominique's work further, the following publications were referenced during the session and are available through her publisher:
Les 157 Couleurs de Paul Gout
https://www.lesmotsquiportent.fr/boutique-les-mots-qui-portent/les-157-couleurs-de-paul-gout/
Les 85 Couleurs d'Antoine Janot
https://www.lesmotsquiportent.fr/boutique-les-mots-qui-portent/%20les-85-couleurs-dantoine-janot/
These remarkable works document historical colour palettes and traditional dye practices, offering a fascinating introduction to Dominique Cardon's research and the wider world of historical dyes and textiles.
Dominique has also kindly offered to make herself available for questions and correspondence. Academy members are welcome to contact us if they would like her email address.
🌿 Indigo Week Continues
And we're only just getting started.
Tonight
🌿 Rosa Chang
Indigo Shade Map: Stories of Indigo, Culture & Community
📅 Thursday 4th June • 6:30pm GMT
Rosa's work explores indigo not only as a dye material, but as a carrier of stories, memory and cultural connection. Through her Indigo Shade Map project, she brings together research, community and lived experience to explore indigo traditions across the world.
Coming Up
🌿 Britt Boles
Sukumo Making: Process, Practice & Material Transformation
📅 Friday 5th June • 6:30pm GMT
🌿 Britt Boles
Sukumo Fermentation Vatting
📅 Thursday 11th June • 6:30pm GMT
🌿 Live Indigo Vat Making Sessions with Jennifer
🌿 Tristan Lienhard's Indigo Research & Plant Trials Presentation
🌿 Fermentation Discussions & Community Conversations
🌿 Indigo Troubleshooting Session
If you join now, you'll receive access to all recordings from earlier sessions as well as every upcoming live event.
Indigo Week is included with Full Membership to The Natural Dyers & Growers Academy.
Join here:
Whether you attend live, watch the recordings later, or simply want to immerse yourself in the many stories of indigo, we'd love to welcome you.
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