Did you know that the fashion industry is the world’s second biggest polluter? It’s a pretty sobering fact. Like many harmful practices that exist within the industry, using chemical dyed yarn has become the norm for creating coloured garments. However, this poses massive risks to both labourers and the environment.
At Paire, we’re dedicated to creating garments responsibly and making sustainable choices that are better for you and the planet. With our new Botanic Collection, we’ve used plant-dyed fabrics in our socks for the first time. Our aim is to prove that sustainable fashion is the future, and it’s up to everyone to pitch in.
So, how did we get here?
Textile dyeing has a long and storied history. In Ancient Egypt, garments were coloured using vegetables and flowers, and evidence of plant-derived dyes can be traced back to China’s Shang and Zhou dynasties. However, as demand for textiles surged with the Industrial Revolution, natural dyeing methods began to prove too timely and costly when compared to synthetic alternatives.
Fast-forward to today — over 90% of clothing is dyed synthetically. This process requires immense amounts of water and uses toxic chemicals, which often end up polluting nearby waterways and soil, harming local wildlife and contaminating drinking water. Synthetic dyes also pose major health risks to labourers, including skin irritations, fevers, and an increased risk of cancer.
We wanted to challenge this.
We’re searching for a more sustainable option. That’s why with our Botanic Collection, we chose to ditch toxic dyes and go 100% plant-based. A harder hit to the wallet, but a much smaller price for the planet to pay.
Dyeing fabric is already a length process, and using natural dyes brought its own set of challenges. We had to source different suppliers and production costs were doubled. But we believe this is the future of the industry — so we persisted.
Easy? Nope. Worth it? Absolutely.
The factory we chose has been using plant-based dyes since 2006. We were impressed by their commitment to sustainability, not only by dyeing naturally, but through their efforts to use clean energy, minimise water use and reduce their carbon footprint throughout the entire process. Joining them on this adventure was a no-brainer.
What are the perks of using plants?
Plant dyes are nature’s magic. They use agricultural waste, are biodegradable, and don’t require nasty chemicals. A win-win for the people and the planet.
Our Botanic Collection is all about celebrating the beauty of Australia’s unique landscapes. By using plants, we’ve created earthy tones that are just as beautiful as their natural inspiration. Plus, these socks aren’t just pretty — they’re lightly scented with plant-inspired fragrances to keep your feet smelling as fresh as they feel. Knowing that we’ve used nature’s finest ingredients to create something this comfy and luxurious? That’s the cherry on top.
So what’s next?
Glad you asked. Our hope is that this collection’s success proves there’s a future in sustainable fashion. It’s a team effort, and every little bit counts. At Paire, we’re big believers in taking small steps towards a better future for fashion, and we hope to spark the same inspiration in others.
