Naturally
pigmented cotton and fine fabrics have been produced for nearly five millennia in Peru,
constituting the oldest recorded tradition of spinning and weaving in human
history. The vast array of natural cotton colors has been well documented since the
time of the New World explorers.
When the Spaniards crossed the Peruvian
desert in 1531 they marveled at the extensive fields of cotton growing in a range of
colors unlike anything they had seen before. Highly prized by the Europeans, these long
stapled cotton plants of Central and South America, were transported around the world to
become the progenitors of what today are considered to be the world's premier cottons.
Today Indian descendants of ancient Peruvian cultures still harvest, gin and spin by hand
the naturally colored cottons of Peru. As steward of this unique genetic resource, The
Native Cotton Project of Peru has recovered a wide range of naturally colored cotton
fiber, including cream, beige, brown, rust, chocolate, mauve, avocado and other earthy
tones. No dyes, chemicals or other synthetic processes have been used to grow,
soften or color the fibers. This exquisite pigmentation is achieved organically, in
a chemical free environment.
No dyes, chemicals or other synthetic processes have been used to grow, soften or color
the fibers. This exquisite pigmentation is achieved organically, in a chemical -free
environment. Naturally colored fiber reduces chemical pollution on the field, in the
factory and in the home.
|
