Textile and Fashion Design
Vedrana Peček
Walnut — a story

Project
“Walnut – A Story” presents a naturally dyed linen textile created through an experimental process using walnut shells collected in a garden. By transforming this organic material into a natural source of dye, the project explores sustainable alternatives to conventional textile dyeing. Linen was chosen for its ecological qualities, durability, and long standing role in textile traditions.
Through a carefully controlled dyeing process, the fabric acquires a distinctive grey tone resulting from the interaction of juglone from walnut shells and ferrous sulfate. Leaves and walnut shells added directly to the dye bath create subtle traces and variations in colour, making the textile unique and celebrating the unpredictability of natural processes.
The project demonstrates how contemporary design can reconnect with traditional knowledge while also addressing the environmental challenges of the textile industry. By replacing synthetic dyes with renewable materials and low impact techniques, the potential for more responsible production methods is highlighted. By highlighting the beauty of naturally derived colours and plant based dyeing, the work encourages a deeper appreciation of the origins of materials, local resources, and the principles of circular design. Textiles become both a functional material and a reflection of the relationship between nature, craftsmanship, and innovation, proposing a more conscious and regenerative future of textile design.
Year
2026
Author
Vedrana Peček is a textile artist and dyeing expert who holds a master's degree in textile technology engineering. In her practice, she focuses on the sustainable production of natural dyes, inks, and pigments, combining scientific knowledge with practical experimentation. As an artist living with chronic illness and disability, she develops a methodology based on care, adaptability, and resilience. She collects and cultivates plants in her own garden, using them for natural dyes and maintaining an ecologically conscious approach to materials.
Every stage of her process, from cultivation and harvesting to extraction and application, reflects a commitment to sustainability, transparency, and thoughtful craftsmanship. Alongside her studio practice, she conducts workshops on sustainable textile production, advocating for responsible plant-based alternatives in the fashion and textile industries.
Peček is a member of ULUPUH (since 2024) and HDLU (since 2025). Her work has been presented in solo and numerous group exhibitions and festivals in Croatia and internationally. In 2021, she received the Textile Design Award at the DA! Festival.




