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This item will be posted to you by Lifeiskenobi within 5 days of receiving payment.
| Shipping destination | Cost | Additional items |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | £3.50 | £1.00 |
| EU & Northern Ireland | Doesn't deliver here | |
| United States | Doesn't deliver here | |
| Rest of the World | Doesn't deliver here | |
Natural indigo dyeing is a craft that lives through the hands of the maker. To work more freely, many artisans dye without gloves. Indigo is gentle on the skin, and over time, their palms turn a soft shade of blue.
I once visited an indigo workshop in Nara. The master insisted I wear gloves so my hands wouldn’t stain like his—he worried I might mind, or that others might. But I remembered something Professor CY Cheung shared in his class on Japanese Folklore at CUHK. He spoke of Yanagita Kunio, the “father of folklore,” who once saw a group of women dyeing indigo on Miyako Island in Okinawa. Their deep-blue hands didn’t seem dirty or frightening to him. Instead, he felt admiration—those hands were working to support their families, preserving a craft through skill and love.
Indigo teaches us that with humility and gratitude, our hands can create, sustain, and begin again.
And for the life we hope to build, we still have choices.
You have 14 days, from receipt, to notify the seller if you wish to cancel your order or exchange an item.
Unless faulty, the following types of items are non-refundable: items that are personalised, bespoke or made-to-order to your specific requirements; items which deteriorate quickly (e.g. food), personal items sold with a hygiene seal (cosmetics, underwear) in instances where the seal is broken; digital items.
Please note that if your order is being posted outside mainland UK, you (or the recipient) may have to pay customs or VAT charges and a handling fee. The seller is not responsible for any charges or fees that may incur.
Full description
Material: 12 oz cotton canvas, natural indigo sourced from India
Description:
This tote bag is dyed with natural indigo using traditional hand-dipping techniques. Because indigo bonds strongly with natural fibres, it is one of the most colourfast and lightfast natural dyes in the world—making it perfect for pieces that live in daily life.
Made from thick 12 oz canvas, the tote holds shape and strength, suitable for books, groceries, or day-to-day essentials. Its hand-dyed surface creates organic variations—subtle shifts in blue that can never be repeated.
How indigo color is fixed to the fiber?
https://youtube.com/shorts/72TpvSZ2TRg
Care Instructions
Washing
-Hand-wash gently in cold water for the first few washes
-Use pH-neutral / mild detergent only.
-Avoid bleach, stain removers, or strong detergents — they may alter natural colours.
Drying
-Avoid direct sunlight for long hours, as natural dyes can slowly change tone over time.
Storage
-Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight.
-Keep away from damp conditions to preserve the fibres and natural pigments.
For Indigo-Dyed Items
-A slight rub-off of indigo (crocking) may occur at first — this is natural and will reduce with use.
-Wash separately for the first few washes.
Designed by Alice Fu in london
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