Colour4CRAFTS is an abbreviation that is based on Colour for Combing, Re-engineering, Applying, Futuring, Transforming, Stretching. These words summarise the objectives of the project that link the cultural tradition of colour and textile dyeing with the development of new colour technologies and bio-based colours.

Colour4CRAFTS is an abbreviation that is based on Colour for Combing, Re-engineering, Applying, Futuring, Transforming, Stretching. These words summarise the objectives of the project that link the cultural tradition of colour and textile dyeing with the development of new colour technologies and bio-based colours.

The project is coordinated by the University of Helsinki. The partners are the University of Lapland, the University of Leeds (United Kingdom), the University of Tartu (Estonia), the Royal Institute of Cultural Heritage of Belgium KIK-IRPA and the PILI Bio from France, which develops colours through enzyme technology.

The research group of the University of Lapland is led by Professor Ana Nuutinen. Other members are Post doctoral researcher Laura Seppälä, University Teacher Jenni-Liisa Yliniva and University Lecturer Karoliina Laxström from the Fashion and Textile Design programme.

In the Colour4 CRAFTS project, research teams from different disciplines and RD companies join forces to produce new information on the use of colours and new technological applications of bio-based dyes. Researchers and business partners are exploring how new perspectives on history and traditional working methods can inform the production and use of colours to address environmental challenges. It will also be explored how traditional working methods could be applied to produce and use dyes that are more environmentally friendly than before.

The focus of the research group at the University of Lapland is on issues such as design education and new colour applications, and the values and attitudes attached to natural colours and dyes. In addition, the group develops education on sustainable dyeing, in which the production and dyeing of colours will be studied using practical methods. For a designer, especially in the field of fashion and textiles, colour is one of the most important choices in the design process. However, few consider where the colour comes from in all the products around. It is widely recognised that the production and use of dyes pose significant environmental challenges, highlighting the need for greener dye production and application methods in the future.

Link to the project website: https://colour4crafts.eu