It’s tempting to assume that plant-based dyes are, as their name suggests, made entirely from plants. However, in the world of natural dyeing, the use of minerals like alum (aluminum sulfate or potassium alum) or metals like iron or copper is common. These minerals are often used to fix colors onto textile fibers (a step known as mordanting) or to modify those colors (a process called after-treating). Their role is to create or enhance a molecular bond between the fibers and the dyes, thereby improving color fastness or allowing for a wider range of shades. Their use, rooted in ancient practices, is considered standard for most dyers.
However, from the very beginning of my journey with Sauvage Beau and my practice of natural dyeing, I made the conscious decision to avoid the use of these minerals. I adhere to a fully plant-based approach, using only local plants and water for my dyes (and Marseille soap, made near my home in Salon-de-Provence, for washing the fibers). This decision is deeply rooted in ethical, ecological, and health considerations, as well as my artistic philosophy. Discover why I have chosen a dyeing process without alum, iron, or copper—using nothing but plants.
1. A Question Of Ethics
One of the major reasons I avoid mineral mordants, such as alum, is their problematic ethical sourcing. Alum is often extracted from bauxite, which is mined in economically vulnerable regions. In Malaysia, for example, workers are exposed to precarious working conditions, lacking fundamental rights and decent working conditions. This human exploitation is alarming, especially considering the dangers associated with bauxite dust, which can lead to severe respiratory diseases and heart problems.
Furthermore, it is nearly impossible to find fair-trade sources of alum, which further underscores the inadequacy of supporting such practices. For me, ethics and respect for human rights are essential. That’s why I choose local and plant-based alternatives that respect both people and the environment, promoting a more just and sustainable production model.
2. A Question Of Environment
The ecological impact of alum production is considerable. Ironically, bauxite, the ore from which alum is derived, was discovered near the village of Les Baux-de-Provence, just 20 kilometers from where I frequently walk the trails colored by its beautiful red to violet hues. Unfortunately, the reality of its extraction is far less pleasant: 6% of global bauxite is mined from rainforests, sensitive and declining ecosystems. Bauxite extraction causes significant pollution of air, water, and soil. Bauxite dust settles on vegetation, food, and respiratory pathways, leading to serious health issues for workers and local populations, while contaminating crops and jeopardizing food security. Moreover, one of the most concerning by-products of alum production is red mud, a toxic residue that is difficult to manage and often stored in retention basins, posing a constant risk of contamination.
Regarding water pollution, heavy metals from bauxite can seep into aquatic sediments, affecting marine plants and animals and disrupting the food chain. Soil pollution, resulting from the removal of fertile topsoil, reduces biodiversity and compromises local agriculture. Efforts by mining companies or local communities to restore these lands often fail to return them to their original state.
3. Zero Metals, Zero Waste!
The use of metals also presents a significant environmental issue during the dyeing process itself: mordanting and nuanced baths that contain metals cannot be disposed of in an environmentally friendly manner by dyers. These baths must be treated as hazardous waste, requiring an energy-intensive disposal process and making it impossible to repurpose the dyeing solutions for other uses.
In contrast, all of my dyeing baths, which are made entirely from water and plants (thus having the environmental impact of a herbal tea ), are reused to water my small garden, and all solid residues are composted. No waste is produced from my process, allowing me to maintain a completely circular and sustainable dyeing practice.
4. Respect Textile Fibers
My artistic approach is focused on enhancing, not altering, my natural fibers. I select these fibers with meticulous care, as they remain my greatest source of inspiration and passion in my work. Each fiber I cherish is a part of this precious nature that I wish to preserve in its purest form. While minerals are effective for fixing or modifying colors, they tend to compromise the softness and texture of natural fibers, making them more brittle, rigid, and less pleasant to the touch. For me, damaging the soft and natural texture of these fibers is unthinkable. By avoiding these substances, I maintain their integrity, ensuring that each textile remains as pleasant and soft as the original material.
5. Protecting My Health And Those Around Me
Working with mineral powders, such as alum, involves health risks since these substances can be harmful to the respiratory system when inhaled or cause skin irritation. Handling them requires wearing specific protective equipment.
For me, the idea that any part of my creative process could be harmful to my health and that of my loved ones is completely unacceptable. Moreover, having to physically separate myself by wearing even light protective gear is equally inconceivable: it is crucial for me to stay in direct contact with my materials and to experience each step of the creation process as a sensory and natural enrichment.
6. A Catalyst For Innovation
By eschewing minerals to diversify or fix my colors, I constantly find myself pushed to innovate. I am continually exploring new local plants and novel combinations, striving to achieve more durable and varied hues.
Small anecdote: I hold a Ph.D. in Geography and had a research career that I left behind to fully dedicate myself to textile art. However, the experimental and exploratory approach I apply to plant dyeing, along with my ongoing bibliographic research in chemistry, botany, and biology, is a natural continuation of my academic background. It is a way to stay connected to my past, where exploration and discovery were at the core of my work. Today, this quest has become an artistic adventure and an endless source of creativity.
7. An Artistic Philosophy That Resonates
Finally, my choice to avoid using minerals in my dyeing process deeply aligns with my artistic philosophy. I am aware that other aspects of my daily life may be more environmentally impactful than my plant-based dyes, but my artistic practice represents a space of purity and integrity for me. I am not interested in creating works at any cost or without imbuing them with meaning.
I understand that foregoing mineral mordants may limit the color palette available to me and make my dyes more sensitive to time and light. However, I firmly believe that embracing what nature offers us here and now, appreciating its limitations and fleeting beauties, provides a satisfaction and profound sense that transcends these constraints. Accepting the impermanence and uniqueness of each creation is, for me, a source of unparalleled beauty and well-being.
Adopting this perspective invites me to embrace each imperfection as a unique feature, thus valuing the individual character of each textile. This philosophy is based on the idea that beauty lies not only in perfection but also in the authenticity of imperfect forms. Embracing the ephemeral and unique nature of each piece of fabric is, for me, a source of deep satisfaction and meaning, transforming each creation into a sincere reflection of nature in its purest expression. It is in these subtle variations and in the patina that the true artistic value is found.
To Conclude
By choosing not to use minerals in my plant dyeing practice, I remain true to my ethical, ecological, and artistic values. This approach goes beyond technique: it is a philosophy of life, a daily commitment to an authentic, sustainable, and deeply human art form. My work thus reflects not only respect for the environment and people but also the very essence of nature, with all its beauty and diversity.
That said, I want to emphasize that my choice in no way criticizes those who incorporate minerals and metals into their own dyeing practices. Every artisan and artist has their own path to follow and their own reasons for doing things in a particular way. What matters to me is the reflection that accompanies these choices. The ability to question one’s practices, to evolve, and above all, to be transparent about what one does, why one does it, and with what consequences.
I deeply believe that there is no single or perfect path. Each of us finds meaning and commitment where it resonates most with our journey, values, and sensibilities. My choice reflects my own quest for coherence and harmony, but it in no way diminishes the richness of the diverse approaches found in the world of dyeing. Dialogue, exchange, and honesty are, for me, the essential pillars that allow each person to follow their own path with awareness, free from judgment or dogmatism.
A Few Sources:
Environmental and Occupational Health Impact of Bauxite Mining in Malaysia: A Review. Lee KY,Ho LY, Tan KH, Tham YY, Ling SP, Qureshi AM, Ponnudurai T, Nordin R, Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, 2017.
The Aluminium Industry: A Review on State-of-the-Art Technologies, Environmental Impacts and Possibilities for Waste Heat Recovery. Daniel B, Jouhara H, International Journal of Thermofluids, 2020.
Bauxite Mining And The Environment. Azo Materials, 2002. https://www.azom.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=1529