Way before Brooklyn became the hyped neighborhood that is today, natural dyer and artisanal designer Cara Marie Piazza set her studio-cum-laboratory in the area. Surrounded by industrial warehouses turned into art galleries, Cara breathes creativity everyday, although she says she misses the presence of nature. Commited to sustainability and small scale, ethical production, Cara uses exclusively natural and organic materials to create one of a kind textiles and unique pieces hand dyed with flowers. She collect botanicals, plant matter, minerals, non-toxic metals and even food wastes from local flowershops and restaurants, and she turns those undesirable “leftovers” into the elements that give the essential quality to her creations. With no surprise, her studio reminds of a modern witch’s laboratory filled with unexpected smells, dried flowers, paint stains, strokes and eclectic tools. In this place of wonders Cara and her assistants carefully treats fabrics through alchemical dye sessions, ancient shibori techniques and bundle dyeing, transforming each textile into its very own story. All her fabrics are sourced ethically and she privileges rough yarns such as organic cottons and linen as well as ahimsa and peace grade silks. Each piece is customized and unique to the wearer, with the aim to establish an intimate and longlasting relationship between the designer and the final client. Cara also works with both designers and artists to realize their Natural dyeing needs. She has recently launched her own lingerie and homewear line CALYX, which truly embodies the uncompromisable luxury made of nature and human craft.