Running a Sustainable Indigo Business on Awaji Island - Sally Hancox
I have a great love for the sustainability of Japanese indigo. It can be grown without pesticides while capturing carbon and restoring the soil, it can be used without damage to the people who work with it and it can be put down the drain without damage to the environment and waterways- a perfect solution to our modern textile needs. Aizome also has anti-bacterial properties which help keep the wearer healthy- it also looks great, preserves Japanese culture and traditions and is a great asset to a business and the local economy.
Sally Hancox is originally from the UK but co-founded this AiAii business with her husband. They have been based on Awaji Island raising a family since 2015 and opened their own indigo dye shop & workshop called AiAii in 2020. They grow their own plants, ferment and create the dyes, create beautiful products, as well as do workshops for visitors.
"We love how modern some of the results of the ancient methods appear, and we also like inventing our own apparatus and techniques, or borrowing and blending with indigo dyeing methods from around the world." - Sally
