Threads of Colour: Natural dyeing with Mariana Leyva

Taking inspiration from our Dye Garden, this immersive natural dyeing workshop invites you to explore the history, plants and pigments that have shaped textile traditions across the globe.

Facilitated by Mexican-British artist and natural dyer Mariana Leyva (Studio Kühü), you will begin with a story-led introduction to the journey of dye plants, followed by a gentle walk through the Horniman Dye Garden with a member of our Gardens team. Several of the Garden’s plants, including dahlias and coreopsis, trace their origins to Mexico — a thread that runs through Mariana’s own heritage and practice. Mariana will then guide you through the bundle dyeing process — creating your own naturally dyed silk scarf using flower petals, extracts and botanicals.

While your bundle steams, you are invited to take part in a short meditative plant-drawing exercise — a moment of reflection and quiet observation. The session closes with the joyful reveal of the finished pieces and practical guidance on aftercare, safe mordanting at home, responsible foraging and ways to repeat the process with everyday kitchen waste.

No prior experience required. All materials are provided.

About Studio Kühü

Studio Kühü is a natural dye and textile studio founded by Mariana Leyva, a Mexican-British artist and designer based at Bow Arts Camden Studios. The studio’s practice is rooted in slow craft, wabi-sabi aesthetics, botanical dyes and natural fibres, drawing on Mexican heritage, Japanese influence and the wider global history of natural colour. The studio works across bridal and garment dyeing, wholesale collaborations and educational programming, under the philosophy ‘Dyeing with soul, story and slowness’.

Mariana trained at Istituto Marangoni and Central Saint Martins (Sustainable Fashion Colours and Dyes) and has been working with natural dyes for over a decade. Studio Kühü has delivered workshops and collaborations with a range of institutions, educators and cultural spaces.