Virginie Lagerbe invites you to discover the age-old art of natural colors dyeing on textiles. From the creation of a personal workshop to that of color charts of natural shades from textile samples of different compositions, you will learn to reveal the natural colors hidden in the plants that surround us through environmentally friendly processes. Lucie Parsons-Chaptal, reference trainer for LA RÉSERVE DES ARTS, will lead you to discover the ancestral Japanese technique of textile repair: Sashiko.

At the end of the training, participants will have acquired the following skills:

• Creating your own plant-based color workshop
• Building a bank of dyes according to the seasons
• The preparation of different dye recipes that are easily reproducible and environmentally friendly
• Introduction to variations of shades of the same color bath to produce shades or changes in shades
• Learning to mix dyes
• Creating patterns from tannins
• Understanding and implementing Sashiko for fabrics
• Making a basic pattern and a complex Sashiko pattern on dyed pieces

This training takes place in two stages:

Exploration and experimentation over 3 days of the basics of natural dyeing with plant dyes available on campus with Virginie Lagerbe, colorist-dyer, who conceptualizes the colorful soul of nature to create unique sensory experiences with biosourced materials.

On the program for these first three days: Study of the age-old art of natural dyeing on textiles, creation of a personal workshop, constitution of a bank of dyes, adoption of virtuous practices, acquisition of experience and development of a methodology for creating color charts of natural shades from textile samples of different compositions.

Natural dyeing techniques help reveal the vegetable colors hidden in the plants around us through environmentally friendly processes such as maceration, decoction and fermentation.

The dyes react according to various parameters, revealing surprising, elegant and timeless harmonies, applicable in architecture, scenography, decoration, design and graphics.

The fourth day of the training will be dedicated to the discovery and practice of the ancestral Japanese textile repair technique: Sashiko. Lucie Parsons-Chaptal, reference trainer for LA RÉSERVE DES ARTS, will teach this practice.

The fifth day is a time for finishing work, feedback and discussions about the training week.

Virginie Lagerbe

Colorist-dyer and alchemist of gardens, a trainer, and a speaker.

After studying communication and political science, she worked in the tourism development of her native region, Burgundy, for a long time. In 2012, driven by curiosity, she embarked on learning natural dyeing techniques, discovering that plant-based colorants are all around us, concealed in the roots, barks, wood, leaves, or flowers of some very common plants that surround us.

Virginie's desire was to uncover the colorful essence hidden in her natural environment. The results on dyed fibers were stunningly beautiful because natural colorants react differently depending on the type of fibers. This phenomenon unveils unsuspected, soothing, and timeless harmonies that, when played with, connect us and resonate with the natural space around us. Each plant essence offers a range of shades that scenography and design can elevate for a harmonious extension from the garden to the interiors.

Training: Virginie Lagerbe attended several training and improvement courses in plant-based dyeing (2012, 2013, 2017) with Magali Bontoux, a trainer for Couleur Garance (certified Qualiopi).

Lucie Parsons-Chaptal

trainer referenced by LA RÉSERVE DES ARTS

Lucie is a facilitator, trainer and teacher specializing in the transmission of know-how related to textiles.

She works in public and private organizations on French territory, but also in Europe.

Graduated with a Master's degree in creative practice from the Artez school in the Netherlands in 2020 where she specialized in textile repair techniques.

During her last year of her master's degree, she began her activity under the name We Made Together. The mission of We Made Together is to raise awareness and activate citizens and professionals to respond to the challenges of ecological transition in the textile industry and social transition. This allows him to channel his activist energy and his desire for change.

In 4 years, We Made Together has raised awareness among more than 800 citizens and professionals with around thirty workshops and courses per year.

Other training: Bachelor of fashion design at the Haute Ecole Francisco Ferrer in Brussels (2017), Artistic Diploma in tapestry at the École Boulle in Paris (2012).

Exhibitions: Jules Verne Dinner in 2018 (Charles Kaisin - Brussels, Belgium), Unfinished in 2020 (the Melkfabriek in Arnhem in the Netherlands), United Fashion Festival in 2021 (at MAD in Brussels, Belgium), Repair Future in 2021 ( Utrecht, Netherlands), Recycle with style in 2022 (Maison des Métiers d’Arts, Liège, Belgium), Royal Playground (Fondation 316, Brussels).

It is by using the surrounding flora that participants will be introduced to the gestures of these universal practices. They will leave with their textile samples dyed and repaired using the Sashiko technique.

• Collection of coloring materials available at the training location, color workshop, classroom, multipurpose room
• Materials provided
• Educational distribution: 50% practical, 50% theoretical contributions
• Active participation and experimentation of participants are essential
• Practical exercises and written materials

• Collective and personalized monitoring of work, regular updates
• Individual and collective work
• Workshop work
• Self-assessment (evaluation of the acquisition of the knowledge transmitted, questionnaire)
• Production and acquisition of theoretical and technical contributions
• Collective restitution: experience report at the end of the training (precision and clarity of the oral presentation)
• Payroll sheet per half day
• The training is validated by a Campus MaNa certificate