SCARLET · Study and interpretation of historical natural dye formulations for the modern textile design

The textile industry faces significant environmental challenges. In response to the increasing demand for sustainable practices and the European Union’s Sustainable Development Goals, SCARLET project aims to revolutionise the textile community by optimising historical recipes for eco-friendly applications. By investigating historical dyeing techniques, SCARLET aims to bridge the gap between traditional practices and modern sustainability standards. This research will validate the eco-friendliness of these recipes and provide practical solutions for SMEs, designers, artists, and the wider textile community seeking alternatives. This will be addressed in the following key points:1) Heritage and Innovation: SCARLET will combine traditional knowledge with contemporary research to create sustainable dyeing practices.2) Community Empowerment: The project empowers the textile community to incorporate natural dyes into their work by developing accessible resources.3) Environmental Impact Reduction: SCARLET will address the oversight of colourants in current sustainability guidelines, offering solutions that significantly reduce the ecological footprint of textile production.SCARLET will undertake a comprehensive approach that begins with an in-depth study of historical dyeing recipes from the 15th to the 18th century across Iberia, Italy, England, and France. The project will focus on interpreting, reconstructing and analysing historical recipes and assessing their suitability for contemporary use. Finally, recognising the gap between historical knowledge and contemporary practice, SCARLET will establish a creative hub, which will provide accessible resources and workshops, empowering the textile community to harness the full potential of natural dyes.By combining historical insights with cutting-edge research, SCARLET addresses the sustainable transformation of textile production while fostering a deeper appreciation for cultural heritage.