01.25.2024
Botanical Color
On January 25, 2024, DY Begay, co-founder of HOSH, visited Botanical Colors in Seattle to work with Kathy Hattori, the owner and president. This collaboration focuses on using natural dyes and weaving together DY’s heritage as one of the Diné weavers who has preserved the use of handspun wool and plant dyes. Inspired by colors like indigo and cochineal, DY has created numerous works that highlight these dyes, honoring her ancestral traditions.
Kathy Hattori and DY Begay
Kathy Hattori founded Botanical Colors as a holistic and alternative solution for brands and artisans seeking natural solutions for dyeing. Botanical Colors offers natural dyes and education to textile and fiber artisans around the world. They support regional farmers, organic farming, and regenerative soil practices.
DY and Kathy collaborated to develop colors for HOSH’s collection. Each color blends history, nature, and artistry.
HOSH Colors
Light and Dark Indigo
Organic indigo is a powder from the leaves of the indigo plant called Indigofera tinctoria. It is one of the oldest dyes known to humankind. Its color develops once exposed to air after steeping the garments in the dye bath. Lighter shades are created with a gentle dip, while darker shades are achieved with multiple dips in a concentrated vat.
Charcoal
This neutral shade of gray is made from a mix of oak galls and pomegranate (which produces a gold hue rather than red) combined with iron. This ancient technique creates a deep, grounding tone.
Cochineal Pink
Derived from an invasive insect on prickly pear cacti, cochineal produces a vivid pink to red hue.
Emerald Green
This deep green is made by combining indigo with a second dye bath of pomegranate, which adds a yellow undertone. The result is a vibrant, earthy green.
