Back in the day we would use natural dye to color our garments. We were new to the scene and so committed to the mission of sustainable fashion. While naturally dyed workout wear sounded like an excellent idea, we would soon come to learn that it wasn't actually as sustainable as it sounded.
As we grew, we learned that using natural dyes caused our pieces to fade in the sunlight, to bleed in warm water, and even to mold in the high humidity. We also learned that it isn't possible to naturally dye recycled fabrics and that various colors, such as deep black, can not be achieved with natural dyes.
In the end, we learned that producing the most sustainable workout wear meant steering away from natural dyes and opting for a more durable option that would allow our pieces to withstand the test of time, vigorous sweat, and frequent washes. We believe the most sustainable active wear we can create is the kind that uses as many sustainable components as possible, but also stays in your closet and out of the landfill for as long as possible.
Now we use a low impact dye that is OEKO-TEX certified. Low impact dyes are way better for the environment long term than both natural dyes and hand dying. They last longer, have better viability and require significantly less water for the dying process, since they permanently bond with the fibers. Unlike natural dyes, low impact dyes are toxic and chemical free and don’t require mordants or heavy metals like alum, copper, and iron, as well as stale urine - which are often used to fix natural dyes to fabric.
The low impact dye we use has been certified organic by OEKO-TEX - an international trademark with uncompromising standards for product safety and sustainability, so you can rest assured that all Studio K garment are completely free of any harmful dying substances.
