Xinhua News Agency photo, Yixian (Anhui), July 1, 2020
Yixian, Anhui: The blue dyed dream of "post-90s" and "Chuanmeizi"
June On the 30th, Chen Ran selected blue dye tools in the dyeing workshop.
Chen Ran, a Sichuan girl born in 1994, became obsessed with blue dyeing after graduating from university, and went to the ancient dyeing workshop in Danzhaishan Village, Guizhou to learn from local craftsmen. In 2017, Chen Ran established his own blue dyeing workshop in Yixian County, Anhui Province, where his husband is home.
Indigo dyeing is an ancient printing and dyeing process. Indigo dyeing plants are fermented to make a dye solution. Through binding, soaking, oxidation and drying, the fabric has a unique blue color. "Learning blue dyeing requires a lot of patience. You must learn to'raise a vat' and constantly adjust the ratio of dyes. The state of the dye vat determines the effect of the finished product." Chen Ran said. After countless experiments on dye ingredients and fabrics, Chen Ran mastered the traditional blue dyeing techniques and continued to explore and innovate.
In 2018, Chen Ran customized blue dye products according to customer requirements, gradually expanding from clothes to door curtains, bed sheets, pillows, placemats and other household items. In terms of design, while retaining traditional features, Chen Ran has improved traditional patterns and styles, paying more attention to the practicability and simplicity of the product.
Since the establishment of the dyeing workshop for more than three years, Chen Ran insisted on offering blue dyeing experience courses to demonstrate and explain blue dyeing techniques for tourists, and received more than 100,000 tourists. "I hope that through my own efforts, more young people can learn about Lan Ran, and let'a touch of blue' enter more people's lives." Chen Ran said.
Xinhua News Agency reporter Han Xiaoyu photo
