I am thrilled to be able to tell you that I can now add the letters ASDC after my name.
These stand for Associate of the Society of Dyers and Colourists and mean that I now have the equivalent of an Honours Degree in Natural Dyeing. The next stage will be to go for “CCol” or Chartered Colourist.
” The Associateship of the Society of Dyers and Colourists (ASDC) is the only professional qualification for colourists worldwide. Benchmarked by NARIC as equivalent to a UK Bachelor Honours Degree. Gaining this qualification allows the student to apply to be a Chartered Colourist. ” (taken from the SDC website.)
Whilst there are many synthetic dyers around the world who have these qualifications I know of only a handful of Natural Dyers including Susan Kay Williams (Royal School of Needlework) and Riika Raisanen (Helsinki Institute of Sustainable Science)
The Society of Dyers and Colourists are effectively the trade body for all dyers, wherever you are in the World. Established by the early synthetic dyers back in the late 1800’s, the first meeting was called on the 28th Feb 1884
“You are particularly requested to attend a meeting of Dyers and others engaged in the Textile Colouring Trade, to be held at the Technical College, to consider the advisability of forming a Society of Textile Colourists”
The Society received their Royal Charter back in 1963, which allows them to award the title Chartered Colourist to someone who has excelled in the field of colour, guess that’s the next aim then!
One of the things I get most pleasure from is teaching people how to use Natural Dyes properly, educating from the basics to a Masterclass. I consider dyeing not just an art but a real skill that requires an empathy and knowledge of the materials, both fibre and dye and an understanding of how they interact together.
If you are interested in learning to dye then watch facebook and the website as I will be listing new workshop dates for 2020 in the New Year …
Alternatively I am happy to arrange private tuition specifically designed to your requirements, please email me directly to discuss, (individual or group, your location or mine)
If you are interested in joining the Society of Dyers and Colourists please contact them directly via the website listed below.
Note:
The SDC is a worldwide organisation with members in all countries and branches in many, take a look at their website for more information. The USA also have the American Association of Textile Colourists and Chemists (AATCC) however although they issue awards for outstanding work, they do not have a recognised qualification. https://www.aatcc.org
NARIC are the UK Government Agency for the recognition and comparison of international qualifications, https://www.naric.org.uk/naric/)
Historical notes taken from:
Tordoff M The Servant of Colour 1984 Society of Dyers and Colourists.