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Photographer: Kate Peters

The natural dye garden: transforming garden plants into vibrant fabrics and props.

Experience an exclusive, hands-on look at sustainable design with the Dye Garden — a collaborative session from the National Theatre and Glyndebourne.

These sessions bring together leading theatre artisans and specialist gardeners to showcase how plant-based, natural dyes are created and used in costume and scenic design for major productions. Learn directly from Andrea, a Glyndebourne gardener, and the acclaimed dye teams about the process of growing, harvesting, and transforming garden plants into vibrant fabrics and props. Interactive 10-minute talks, and a display of naturally dyed costumes, accessories, and creative works developed for the stage.

You’ll walk away with practical knowledge on integrating sustainable palettes, insights into cross-team collaboration, and real-world solutions for making your creative practice more environmentally responsible. This is a must-attend session for designers, artists, and makers eager to explore the future of regenerative materials.

Clare Carter 
Textile Artist, National Theatre
I originally studied Fashion and Textiles at College in Bath and then completed a year at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School studying costume. I then went on to work in tv and at  Bristol Old Vic Theatre, before coming to the National Theatre as a Textile Artist. Over the years we have worked on many productions that have required every textile effect, from mud ladened armies to beautiful screen printed fabrics, through to blood , sweat and vomit! We are constantly experimenting to produce new effects but to also become more sustainable. We have just had our first year growing, harvesting and experimenting with dyes from our natural dye garden, where we hope to incorporate naturally dyed fabrics into the shows at the National. I’m a keen gardener so this past year of experimenting has been a joy!
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