HBL Analysis: Indigo

There has been a resurgence of indigo this season, with the colour seen in various depths and shades not only on the catwalk, but also in the home. In our latest colour analysis, WGSN-homebuildlife reports on the most contemporary shades and applications of this ancient pigment.

John Bauer at Design Indaba 2011

Indigo is traditionally extracted from the leafy green plant variety Indigofera. The dyeing technique is thought to have originated in India and it is said to be one of the oldest natural dyeing methods. Traditional indigo dyeing involves a long and complex method of cultivating the plant, then composting, brewing and fermenting it.

Elephant Ceramics

A wide spectrum of blues can be achieved using indigo, ranging from soft dusty blues, green-tinted blues and dazzling brights to almost black, and these shades are determined by the freshness and strength of the dye, and the number of times the cloth is immersed in the solution.

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