NATURE BORN
Currently in the studio
A small selection of one-of-a-kind garments, created and naturally dyed now available.
Each piece carries the unique variations of plant colour and the trace of the hands that made it. Together, they mark the closing of one creative chapter and the beginning of a new, made-to-order era.
UP- COMING RETREATS
Workshops this season
Available
New Accessories Pieces
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.
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.
Madder (Rubia tinctoria) is one of the oldest known dyestuffs and, for me, the queen of natural dyes. Across centuries of textile history, it has been used to create a rich spectrum of colour — from deep reds and mulberry tones to warm terracotta, coral, soft pinks and dusty purples.
Cultivated for generations throughout India, Turkey and Iran, madder once formed part of Greece’s own dye heritage. Although cultivation declined with the rise of synthetic dyes, the plant can still be found growing wild in regions such as Paros island, Evros and Zagorohoria, quietly carrying its history through the landscape.
Madder is a remarkably complex dye material, containing multiple colourants that respond sensitively to different dyeing processes. By adjusting temperature, pH, and the use of mordants or modifiers, dyers can unlock an extraordinary range of shades — making it both technically fascinating and deeply expressive.
Offered here as cut roots for immersion dyeing, bundle dyeing and experimental textile practice.
For textile and artistic use only.
Want to explore its full colour range? Learn more at the Advanced Natural Dyeing Workshop.
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.
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.
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.