By Shea + Raan Parton
Photos by Michael Spear
We're stoked to release our Customizable Dark Indigo Market Bag and Lunch Bag this Sunday, June 23rd. These eye-catching bags are made in collaboration with a natural indigo-dyeing studio on Los Angeles’s Eastside.
At Apolis, we’re fascinated by the possibilities for natural dye and we love finding ways to work with local artisans and manufacturers on interesting projects. We were able to combine those interests into our Customizable Long Handle Tote in Indigo, which also helps provide Fair-Trade-certified wages, job benefits, and profit dividends to the Bangladeshi moms who make each bag.
This particular project involved the classic Apolis totes being hand-dyed by an indigo-dyeing studio on Los Angeles’s Eastside. We spoke with Max, who heads up the studio, about what makes indigo dyeing such a unique process.
Unlike more commonly used synthetic blue dyes, the indigo used for these bags is natural and plant-based — which means the resulting products are free of caustic heavy chemicals. “The way we do our indigo processing, and the equipment we have, is relatively low in water consumption, too. So this is a really good practice in trying to figure out a way to sustainably use natural dyes. It’s also a really effective dye.”
Not only is indigo-dyeing a more environmentally sustainable process, it’s also one that has been practiced for literally thousands of years. “It’s an ancient process… We try to keep it as close to that as possible.”
To achieve a light indigo shade, Max's team dunk bags three times each, letting them sun-dry between applications. For the dark indigo shade (as in our Customizable Long Handle Tote in Indigo), the team dunks the bag four to five times. “It’s basically that the natural chemical process occurring in the vat is creating an atmosphere where the indigo bonds to the fabric. We repeat that process to get the desired shade.”
Indigo dye is also known for its one-of-a-kind look, which results from the fact that the pigment oxidizes and develops a unique patina over time — a natural aging process that Max likens to that of a fine wine. “Indigo is always in demand. Indigo is such a beautiful color and process. Denim interests and enthusiasts have kept that alive for a long time.”
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We're stoked to release our Customizable Dark Indigo Market Bag and Lunch Bag this Sunday, June 23rd.
See the photostory below for a look at the indigo-dyeing process that goes into every bag.
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