From Nature to Colour

When we started Bold Runners, we made a conscious choice to work exclusively with colours derived from nature.

It’s not always the easiest way. Natural dyes can be unpredictable, and finding the right shade, depth and balance takes time, patience and a lot of experimenting.

That’s why we’re lucky to work closely with an experienced family-run atelier in India, where the journey with natural dyes began over a decade ago with the owner’s father.
What started as his passion has grown into a beautiful craft that is now continued by his family. Their knowledge and experience are an important part of bringing our colours to life.

We love the character that comes with working this way, the subtle variations, unexpected tones and beautiful imperfections that make every colour unique.

It takes a little more time, but we wouldn’t want it any other way. 

All our natural dyes and auxiliaries are certified on Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS).

The ingredients we use:

HIMALAYAN RHUBARB

The tones derived from the rhubarb are simply amazing. It gives wool a rich golden colour, almost like honey, but can also create warm oranges and earthy olive greens. And yes, it really is related to the rhubarb we know in the Netherlands. But this Himalayan cousin is grown for its roots and colour, not for your crumble. 

INDIGO

The most powerful plant for beautiful blues. My sister once tried making indigo herself. Let’s just say it was more complicated than she expected! The chemistry, the timing, the dye bath… there is a lot to get right. I’m happy to leave this beautiful blue to the experts.

MARIEGOLD AND TESU FLOWER  

Combined, they deliver vibrant, long-lasting golden, soft yellow and warm ochre shades that bonds beautifully with wool. Mariegolds are growing in my garden right now, and I love knowing that these cheerful little flowers can become colour. Their golden yellow brings such warmth to the wool.

POMEGRANATE PEEL

Pomegranate is a little surprising. You might expect deep red, but the skins can create the most wonderful yellow and kaki shades.

KERRIA LACCA

Historically derived from the lac insect. It represents one of the most dependable natural sources for achieving crimson and red tones in textiles. We are in love with these vivid colours! 

INDIAN MADDER ROOT

This incredible root turns wool into the most gorgeous terracotta, brick red and clay shades. 

CATECHU

catechu gives beautiful earthy tones. I love the warmth it brings to wool. It brings us shades from soft beige to reddish brown.

MYROBALAN

This is such a fascinating dye. Made of dried fruits, haritaki, of the Terminalia Chebula tree. The colours can be surprisingly earthy - from warm yellow and brown to interesting grey green tones.

MULBERRY TREE

Green….a lot of greens. Who doesn’t love this colour of nature.

GALL NUT

It gives Ivory, Light Yellow, and Grey colour, which changes with the change of pretreatment auxiliary dyeing process.