Our new Forest Line is made entirely from sustainable wood, symbolically transporting you to the setting of your favorite fairy tales. This collection was created in collaboration with natural dyer and artisan Cara Marie Piazza, who helps these stories come alive through a unique, alchemical dye process. We’re fascinated and inspired by Piazza’s practice and wanted to share more about how The Forest Line is created.
photos by Natalia Mantini
Perhaps the most prized of all the flowers, the rose has been cultivated for over 5,000 years, Roses represent divination, love, femininity, and desire, but have additional meanings based on their color. Pink symbolizes grace, happiness, and gentleness.
For centuries, nature has not only sustained human life, but inspired cultures, religions, poetry, philosophy, and medicine making around the world. One of the ways The Forest Line celebrates this connection is by infusing plant and flower energy into each piece. This is achieved through Piazza’s technique of bundle dyeing using different combinations of plants like rose, eucalyptus, indigo, and ranunculus and ensures that each item is unique.
Ranunculus translates to “little frog” in Latin and it is believed that the “Princess and the Frog” fairy tale is based upon an Asian myth where the prince was not transformed into a frog, but a ranunculus flower. The ranunculus flower blooms in an array of colors and acts as a symbol of charm and attraction.
The process Piazza uses to dye The Forest Line is gentle, only requiring steam and a delicate wrapping system
Committed to sustainable and ethical production, Piazza manufactures all of her pieces locally to her NYC studio. She works with both designers, artists, and is available for custom pieces for private clients. She is the creative director and designer for the intimates label Calyx.
Eucalyptus trees can literally dispense gold, which explains why they have traditionally been associated with abundance, wealth, and foretelling. The roots of the eucalyptus tree extract precious metals from the soil, but because they are toxic for the tree, it attempts to release it through its leaves. Eucalyptus has legendary healing powers and its oil is used to treat respiratory issues, and acts an antiseptic and insect repellent.
Piazza also creates one of a kind textiles only using natural dye stuffs such as botanicals, plant matter, minerals, non-toxic metals and food wastes. She treats her fabrics through alchemical dye sessions, ancient shibori techniques and bundle dyeing, transforming each textile into its very own story.
Keep up with Cara’s workshops and events here.
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