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about OCELOT
designer-owner Angelina DeAntonis with wool itajimenew STUDIO Angelina moved the dye studio in november 2010 out of the spacious warehouse that was a former pipe organ factory, into the modest but affordable outdoor and basement of her victorian home.The sewing studio is now located in her neighbor's victorian 4 houses from her own. This is where the patterns are made, and the fabric is cut, sewn, and finished.The new studios allow a fresh way of thinking about the making process, which previously was driven more by the needs of stores. Now Angelina focuses on one of a kind pieces, and uses even more plant dyes.easier on the EARTH Now the natural dye water can go directly back into the earth, and madder root and osage sawdust are used as mulch.Ventilation is open to the sky and no longer requires a huge overhead exhaust hood.Some plants from the garden are being extracted and experimented with for new colors. We are reusing acid dye bath water 2-3 times to conserve water and exhaust the dye.
Zee Boudreaux (left)working wool felt in madder root bath, Angelina (right) dyeing
detail of large clamps with madder root dyebath Zee dyeing on outdoor burners under avocado treessome HISTORY Angelina DeAntonis began Ocelot in 1998, focusing the line on hand-dyed itajime, and using all natural fibers. With a commitment to the integrity of fine crafting, the textile-art-clothing is all made in house. Plant and insect dyes are used. Natural dyes make up about half of the dyes. The line began with only a few pieces, and has grown to over 80 styles. TheOcelot has been crafted by many hands over the years. Angelina has always been involved in the dye process, at first doing all of the dyeing, then training assistants and interns to help with the dye production. In the first 3 years of the business, Nan Eastep of B Spoke Tailor was seamstress and patternmaker, bringing an expertise in tailoring and fine sewing. When Nan left to work on her own line http://bspoketailor.com/ , Che Ying Lam became the head expert sewer and patternmaker. Many interns have been taught in Ocelot's dyeing technique over the past decade, notably Rebecca Williams who became involved in designing the line when Angelina had her baby, and was the first and only to master folding itajime. Rebecca is now making innovative and amazing jewelry http://www.rebeccasako.com/Home.htmlZee Boudreaux, textile artist, is still dyeing with Angelina. Zee brings to Ocelot fine dyeing skills and his immense interest in natural dyes.
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