Cat Lovett is a New Zealand textile designer with a passion for the sustainable. Her interest in design has led her to live in Mexico's textile capital, Oaxaca. There she has been closely studying the region's ancient textile traditions. She has embraced Pochote tree fibre, an ancient cotton-like fibre which was used by the Zapotec indigenous communities in the pre-Hispanic period.
Lovett is shifting her work from synthetic dye to locally sourced materials. She’s worked with a local family who use pomegranate, brazilwood, marigold and even the insect Cochineal to produce naturally colourful fibres.
Cat Lovett working with natural dye's in Mexico Photo: Blake Gordon
The recipe for each of the dyes Lovett uses has been developed over time, made from local people who source materials in Oaxaca. The result is a rich and vibrant array of colour that doesn't harm the planet.
While based in Mexico, Lovett has continued Master's studies on Sustainable Development focused on the textile industry.
Pochote tree fibre, an ancient cotton like fibre which was used by the Zapotec indigenous communities in the pre-hispanic period Photo: Blake Gordon
Cat Lovett spoke to Maggie Tweedie on Culture 101 about her hope to champion her new learnings in Aotearoa and her eagerness to see wool be a more popular textile of choice locally.
Cat Lovett exploring Oaxaca city Photo: Blake Gordon
