ORCA x MATE: Plant Dyed Garden Workwear

We partnered with MATE to launch a collection of enduring, plant-dyed pieces inspired by the reciprocal nature of people and the gardens they tend to. As we care for our gardens, so too do they nurture us, marking time gracefully with their seasonal splendor.

Central to the collection is a study in plant material. Organic cotton was selected for its reduced environmental impact, using 87% less water on average to produce than conventional cotton. Pomegranate rinds and katha extract from the Acacia tree are byproducts that bring forth the natural colors used to dye each piece. These are pieces created in dialogue with the earth, and that return us to the garden time and again.

SHOP COLLECTION

ِ"These are pieces created in dialogue with the earth, and that return us to the garden time and again."

garden jacket

shown in bark

Plant dye: Acacia (Acacia catechu) is a deciduous tree native to South and Southeast Asia. The acacia tree’s extract, a byproduct called katha in Hindi, is prized in textile dyeing for its antimicrobial and antibacterial properties, in addition to the rich brown hues it yields. Katha’s astringent benefits have made it a useful remedy in Ayurvedic medicine since ancient times.

Garden zip jumpsuit

shown in oak

Plant dye: Pomegranate (Punica granatum) is a fruit-bearing tree native to the region spanning modern day Iran to northern India. Pomegranates were domesticated as early as 7,000 years ago, and its many-seeded fruits have been treasured for their beauty and culinary appeal. The rinds of the Pomegranate fruit are a byproduct that yield a spectrum of yellow, khaki and gray hues.

garden workwear pants

shown in manzanita