Natural plant dyes
At Cosmaki, we work exclusively with natural dyes made from plants and food waste. Our colors come directly from nature—from avocado seeds, onion skins, pomegranate peels, tea, or traditional dye plants like indigo.
Unlike synthetic dyes, our natural dyes gain character and depth over time. They retain their vibrancy but develop a pleasant patina, becoming more authentic with each wear and wash. The natural pigments bond permanently with the fiber, creating consistent, vibrant shades that tell their own story. Each dyed textile is unique—with a depth of color and naturalness that synthetic dyes cannot achieve.
FOOD WASTE
Rosé made from avocado seeds
From waste to dye: Avocado pits, often carelessly discarded, contain a surprisingly powerful pigment. We collect them from the Cologne restaurant Los Carnales and transform them into warm shades of pink.
Depending on the pH of the water and the pretreatment of the textiles, the color develops from a delicate powder pink to a vibrant peach. The shade changes subtly with each wash cycle—a vivid testament to sustainable dyeing.
Food waste
Olive from onion skins
The outer skins of red onions, a byproduct in every kitchen, make a versatile natural dye. We collect them from the Cologne burger restaurant Die Fette Kuh and process them into warm olive tones.
The color sets evenly and provides an excellent base for layered coloring.
FOOD WASTE
Soft beige from black tea
Black tea contains natural tannins, which act as a colorant and natural mordant. We collect used tea leaves from our circle of friends and transform them into subtle beige tones.
The color varies from a delicate ecru to a deeper taupe, depending on the tea variety and the dyeing process. This natural color is characterized by its durability and forms an excellent base for overdyeing with indigo.
PLANT EXTRACT
Warm sandy brown from Cutch
Cutch, also known as catechu, is an extract from the wood of the Acacia catechu tree. This traditional plant dye has been used for centuries to produce harmonious, earthy brown tones.
The color palette ranges from light sandy brown to warm caramel. Cutch-dyed textiles are characterized by their excellent lightfastness and develop a special patina and depth over time without losing their luminosity.
PLANT EXTRACT
Bright blue from indigo
Indigo, one of the oldest dye plants in the world, is at the heart of our dyeing tradition. For our light blue, we use traditional vat dyeing—a fascinating process in which the dye develops its characteristic color only through reaction with oxygen.
Unlike synthetic indigo, the result is a vibrant, nuanced blue. The color deepens with each immersion and only comes alive upon contact with air. Over time, it softens, becomes more personal, and develops its own unique character.
The vibrancy of natural colors
Unlike industrial dyeing processes, our natural dyes change and evolve—they react to sunlight, water, and use. This natural vibrancy makes each piece unique and personal.