NATURE BORN
Opening The Closing Chapter
Now available a small selection of pieces that already exist within the studio.
Linen trousers, tops, and jackets;
ready-made, one of a kind, and available now.
They come from a chapter of exploration and making, and now mark a moment of transition;
the closing of one era before moving fully into another.
Chapter 1
A soft, feminine dress made from linen from Tripoli, Greece, naturally dyed with cochineal and enriched through bundle dyeing with logwood bark, poppy petals, peony petals, and elderberries.
The surface carries a delicate yet expressive palette of blush, rose, and deep plum tones—layered organically through the interaction of plants and dye. Each mark feels fluid and painterly, revealing the movement of the natural dyeing process.
Designed to highlight the body with ease and subtle sensuality, it features adjustable straps, an open back with tie detail, and elastic at the waist for a flexible, flattering fit. The silhouette gently follows the form while remaining comfortable and breathable.
Details
– 100% linen
– Naturally dyed with cochineal
– Bundle dyed with logwood bark, poppy petals, peony petals & elderberries
– Adjustable straps
– Open back with tie
– Elastic at the back
– Size M/L
M/L:
length: 85cm
waist: 80cm - 98cm
A soft, strapless smocked top crafted from cotton and naturally dyed with ivy leaves, creating a muted, earthy green tone with subtle variations throughout the fabric.
The fully elasticated smocking gently embraces the body, offering comfort, flexibility, and an easy fit. Finished with delicate ruffled edges, the piece feels both feminine and grounded—simple, yet quietly expressive.
Details:
– 100% cotton from Tripoli Greece
– Naturally dyed with ivy leaves
– Strapless, fully smocked
– Length: 20 cm
– Size: XS/S
These soft linen pants are naturally dyed in rich rose tones, with sticklac, creating a beautifully textured, one-of-a-kind surface that feels both earthy and expressive.
Designed with a relaxed, straight-leg silhouette, they feature a comfortable elastic waistband and practical back pockets for everyday ease. The breathable linen fabric moves effortlessly with the body, offering comfort and timeless style.
• 100% linen fabric from Tripoli, Greece
• Hand-dyed with sticklac
• Elastic waistband
• Relaxed, straight fit
• Back pockets
Waist Measurements
S/M:64cm
Length (waist to floor)
S/M: 93cm
Latest Collaborations
Christiana Vardakou is a premium natural dye atelier creating made-to-order garments, textiles, and collaborative projects for brands, hospitality, and design.
Rooted in craft and cultural knowledge, the studio works through small-scale production and educational practice.
Next Workshops
Bundle Dyeing Workshop
Explore the art of bundle dyeing in a creative and playful atmosphere
Location: Kallirois Parren 3, Athens
Duration: 2.5 hours (11:00 - 13:30)
Class size: Maximum 6 students
What you will learn:
In this workshop, you’ll dive into the fascinating world of bundle dyeing, a contemporary technique first developed by India Flint in Australia. This method uses fresh flowers, leaves, and other plant materials to create botanical prints on fabric. When the plants are steamed, their natural colours transfer onto the fabric, forming unique and beautiful herbal-infused patterns.
Key topics covered:
Introduction to Plants: Learn about different plants and flowers that can be used to create stunning prints.
Bundle Dyeing Techniques: Discover the folding and rolling methods that give you endless possibilities for creating unique patterns.
Mordants & Fabric Choices: Understand the role of mordants in the dyeing process and which fabrics work best for eco-printing.
Unpredictability & Creativity: Embrace the spontaneous nature of the process, allowing you to experiment and play with different styles.
What you will make:
Each participant will have the opportunity to print on a 100% silk scarf (45x45 cm) using the bundle dyeing technique, creating a unique piece of wearable art to take home.
What to bring:
Please bring a notebook to jot down your insights and creative ideas throughout the workshop.
Language:
The workshop is taught in Greek and/or English, depending on the participants.
Indigo & Sashiko: A Two-Day Textile Workshop
Join us for an immersive two-day workshop exploring the beauty of Japanese textile traditions through natural indigo dyeing and sashiko hand embroidery.
Over one weekend, participants will learn how to prepare and work with a natural indigo vat, dye textiles, and transform their fabrics through the meditative practice of sashiko stitching.
On the first day, textile artisan Giorgos Petsikopoulos will introduce participants to the world of indigo — its history, chemistry, and practical application. Together we will prepare an indigo vat and experiment with dyeing techniques on natural fabrics.
On the second day, Christiana Vardakou will guide participants through the art of sashiko embroidery: a traditional Japanese stitching technique originally used for mending, reinforcement, and decoration. Participants will learn foundational sashiko patterns and stitching methods while working on the indigo-dyed textiles created during the workshop.
This workshop is designed for beginners and textile enthusiasts alike. Participants will leave with handmade dyed and stitched textile samples, practical knowledge of indigo dyeing and sashiko embroidery, and a deeper understanding of slow textile practices.
Duration
2 days
Approx. 4 hours per day. Starting at 11:00 a.m.
Location:
Christiana’s Studio Kallirois Parren 3, Athina
11525 Athens, Greece
What participants will learn:
Day 1 — Indigo
• Introduction to natural indigo
• Indigo history & traditions
• Indigo vat preparation
• Understanding reduction and oxidation
• Indigo dyeing on natural fibres
• Multiple dips and tone building
Day 2 — Sashiko
• Introduction to sashiko history & philosophy
• Traditional patterns and symbolism
• How to transfer patterns
• Sashiko stitching techniques
• Thread and needle handling
• Visible mending & decorative applications
• Combining sashiko with naturally dyed textiles
Included
• All materials and tools
• Indigo dye materials
• Fabrics and stitching samples
• Sashiko threads and needles during class
• Tea, coffee & light snacks
Participants should bring
• Comfortable clothing that can get stained
Batik Workshop
Explore the ancient art of wax-resist dyeing in our creative studio in Athens
Location: Kallirois Parren 3, Athens
Duration: 4 hours (11:00 - 15:00)
Class size: Maximum 6 students
What you will learn:
In this hands-on workshop, you will learn the intricate and beautiful art of batik, a traditional wax-resist dyeing technique that originated in Indonesia. Using small copper tools called tjantings, you’ll apply melted wax onto cotton fabric to create designs that resist the dye, leaving behind unique patterns where the wax has been applied.
Key topics covered:
Introduction to Batik: Learn how to use the tjanting tools to draw with melted wax, creating intricate designs on fabric.
Natural Dyes: Choose from three beautiful natural dyes to bring your batik designs to life.
Layering Techniques: Add layers of wax and dye to build depth and richness in your patterns.
Mordants & Fabric Choices: Discover which fabrics are best for batik and how mordants affect the dyeing process.
Wax Removal: Learn how to carefully remove the wax after dyeing to reveal your final design.
What you will make:
Each student will batik on two small cotton fabrics (20 cm x 20 cm) and one 100% cotton fabric (45 cm x 45 cm). The larger fabric can be sewn into a cushion or tote bag. If you prefer, we can sew it for you for an additional charge of €10.
What to bring:
Please bring a notebook to jot down your design ideas and notes during the session.
Language:
The workshop is taught in Greek and/or English, depending on the participants.
Available
Homeware Pieces
Discover the latest additions to our hand-dyed pieces created to bring natural colour, texture, and craft into everyday spaces.
A naturally dyed linen pillowcase handmade in our Athens studio.
Crafted from undyed linen from Athens, Greece, the fabric is bundle dyed by Christiana using logwood bark, cochineal, hibiscus and walnut leaves, creating delicate botanical patterns in soft violet and pink tones. Each piece is unique due to the natural dyeing process.
The pillowcase is machine sewn by Violeta in our Athens studio and closes with three linen ties along the bottom.
Size: approximately 48 × 30 cm
Pillowcase only – filling not included.
If you would like to purchase the filling please email us
Back in stock!
Cochineal is a historic natural dye material traditionally used in textile dyeing to achieve a wide spectrum of reds and purples. The females of Dactylopius coccus colonise prickly pears native to Central and South America, as well as the Canary Islands. Valued for centuries by dyers and artists, cochineal produces a powerful range of fuchsias, crimson reds and deep purples, with colour variations shifting depending on mordant choice and the pH of the dye bath.
Offered here whole for controlled extraction, it is suitable for immersion dyeing, bundle dyeing and experimental textile processes on natural fibres.
For textile and artistic use only.
Not intended for cosmetic or food applications.
Want to learn how to dye with cochineal?
Take part in the Advanced Natural Dyeing Workshop to explore its full colour potential through guided practice.
The same plants used in our natural dye workshops, available for you to experiment with at home.
Explore the process of botanical color and begin your own dye practice.
Ivy leaves (Hedera helix) have long been part of European dye traditions, valued for their ability to create soft muted greens and gentle yellow-olive tones on natural fibres. Growing abundantly across Greece and the Mediterranean landscape, ivy carries a quiet connection to local ecosystems and seasonal gathering practices.
Rich in natural compounds that respond subtly to iron and other modifiers, ivy is often used in eco printing, bundle dyeing and slow immersion dye baths. Rather than strong saturated colour, it offers atmospheric shades, making it ideal for layered textile work.
Offered here as crushed dried leaves for artistic textile processes and experimental natural dye practice.
For textile and artistic use only.
Annatto has a long history as a colour plant across Central and South America, where the seeds were traditionally used to dye textiles, decorate objects and mark the body with symbolic patterns. Over time, the plant travelled across oceans through trade routes and is now widely cultivated throughout Southeast Asia, where it continues to be valued for its warm sun-like colour.
For natural dyers, annatto offers a gentle palette ranging from luminous yellows and apricot tones to soft earthy oranges. The small triangular seeds release colour slowly. Today, annatto remains a material in contemporary textile practice, bundle dyeing and natural dyeing.
Offered here as whole seeds for immersion dyeing or bundle dyeing.
For textile and artistic use only.
Dyer’s chamomile is a member of the daisy family and has been used for centuries as a dependable source of strong, luminous yellow in natural textile dyeing. Known in Greek landscapes as a wild summer flower, it grows abundantly across Greece, Europe and parts of North America, thriving in dry soils and open fields.
Historically, dyer’s chamomile was used in traditional Greek kilim carpets and other woven textiles to produce warm, sunlit yellows. Depending on mordant and modifiers, it can also shift into soft olive greens. Its clarity of colour makes it ideal for immersion dyeing and bundle dyeing.
Offered as dried flowers, this dye material is valued for its reliability, brightness and connection to Greek dye traditions.
For textile and artistic use only.
