Supernaturae’s beguiling gem tones are plant-dyed silk and other natural textiles. The label began as Benedicte Lux’s research project into alternative, more sustainable methods of fashion production.
Born in Norway, Lux grew up in the UK and studied art history at Central St. Martins before moving to NYC where she earned a fashion degree from Parson’s. During a study-abroad residency in Oaxaca, Mexico, she met a community of natural dyers and “saw up close a lot of these incredible if marginalized techniques that offered such beauty and inspiration.”
Post-graduation, Lux worked as a visual stylist at ABC Carpet & Home. Noticing the food scraps being tossed from ABC V, the in-house vegetarian restaurant, she began making her own dyes from things like avocado pits and onion skins, and stitching her first samples.
Initially established as a clothing line, Supernaturae now includes cushions and quilts that we’re highlighting here. Designed by Lux, each is meticulously created by a tag team of specialized artisan groups in India and Mexico. Describing the collection as “future vintage,” Lux says, “The desire is to create timeless pieces, collectibles of living history, highlighting incredible workmanship that is closely tied to nature.”
Photography courtesy of Supernaturae (@supernaturae).
The silk is hand-woven in Murshidabad, India, and dyed by a Zapotec community in Oaxaca who use locally sourced plants: pericón, añil, grana cochinilla, and palo de Brasil. Lux notes that “the mountain water from Sierra Norte enhances the colors, making them incredibly crisp and clear.”
More of our favorite pillows and cushions:
- Studio Augustin: Pillows and Poufs Made from Vintage Portuguese Grain Sacks
- Christina Lundsteen’s Velvet Pillows: “Mixing Colors and Patterns Like Nobody’s Watching”
- Social Enterprise Success Story: In Casa by Paboy’s Ruffled Cushions
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