Nature and fashion have always excited the Brazilian Flavia Aranha (pronounced Aranja dt, spider.). So a combination of both was a logical consequence. Courses at Central Saint Martins in London, studying at Santa Marcellina college and work experience as a designer for Brazilian fashion labels improved her design skills. And this connects the lively Brazilian quickly with her enthusiasm for natural colors. Her Passion: To preserve the natural dyeing techniques with plant and leave-colors of her Brazilian homeland.
The fantastic colors for her collections, the color expert develop herself.
Dyeing with plants and leaves from the tropical forests is therefore in her 2015 founded label Flavia Aranha at the center. My first contact with Flavia, I had exactly one year ago on the Greenshowroom in Berlin. Her beautiful wood Clutches with ornate inlaid have attracted me magically. Now I met the Brazilian again in Berlin. And I am thrilled by the delicate fabrics, ornate prints on dresses, blouses, tops. And especially of what the sympathetic color expert tells me of her work.
Speaking to color expert Flavia Aranha
my-GREENstyle: You have in your garden in Sao Paulo your own “color kitchen”. There is not only dyed. There you also develop new techniques.
Flavia Aranha: A unique dyeing process is quite easy. Difficult can be to develop techniques by which you can win the extracts to make the colors always at the same level. In addition, I am working on different traditional staining techniques to combine – as the Japanese Shibori technique, the indigo dyeing and the Brazilian Eco-Print.
my-GREENstyle: And what are you working on now?
F.A.: or each collection, I use new colors and materials. For my next collection I use colors from the wastes of small restaurants and the wood studios in my neighborhood. I get onion skins, wooden sections, etc. with which I can then experiment.
The creative process begins with me with the material. Not with the style.
my-GREENstyle: Do you produce your colors for other companies?
F.A.: The colors we use only for Flavia Aranha. But I organize workshops in my studio. There I teach young artists, how to produce own colors at home from food residues. This is inexpensive and reuse waste a good way.
my-GREENstyle: Where you can find the inspiration for your collections?
F.A.: In nature and the wonderful craftsmen who teach me their craft techniques. This learning process inspired the designs.
Attention to detail and nature – Flavia Aranha
my-GREENstyle: And what type of women you have before your mind’s eye when you design the collection?
F.A.: This is a confident, modern woman who is interested in art and design. And who understands the story behind our collection.
my-GREENstyle: Your favorite piece of the collection?
F.A.: Of course I love all the pieces, but maybe the Eco-Print is something very special. Or the hand-woven pieces that were woven by a women’s community and colored with rose petals, pomegranate and coffee. Also very special.
my-GREENstyle: Paradise on earth is …?
F.A.: My lab, my home and a deserted island, where I can find peace.
Thanks for the interview, Flavia!
Even more wonderful Eco-Fashion: The whole wonderful collection of Flavia Aranha found here