Certain blues, like the inky, moody shade that is indigo, are always are on the design radar. They embody, much like blue jeans, a comfort level associated with basic black. It is a surprisingly neutral color, one that goes with just about any hue.
Once rare, indigo was called blue gold. The natural dye, from the leaves of the indigo herb, can be traced to ancient Egypt. Although the earliest mention dates to fourth-century India, indigo-dyed textiles were found in Roman graves in the second and third centuries. The Japanese embraced indigo dyeing in a form called shibori from the eighth century; there actually are a half-dozen styles of dyeing that create the look we think of as tie-dyed. And other cultures in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, West Africa, Latin America used ikat, shibori and techniques such as batik with indigo. During the 13th century, the dye was as valuable a commodity as spices like cinnamon and ginger.
There's a hefty coffee-table book on the subject, with a title that suggests the power of the hue. Parisian fashion boutique owner Catherine Legrand wrote: "Indigo: The Color That Changed the World" (Thames & Hudson, 2013).
Legrand's fascination with the color was sparked by a family trip to northern Vietnam. She was intrigued with how hemp was grown, woven and dyed — and that indigo-dyed clothing was like a uniform. Even the process of dyeing seems magical — the way the pigment is drawn from the plant's green leaves and how it morphs into yellow, then blue.
Although chemical dyes came on the scene in the 18th century, natural dyes are finding new fans among artisans in countries beyond those where they have been produced for centuries.
Denim and indigo continue to light up fashion runways from Paris to Milan, for both women and men, and the trend continued into recent spring 2016 runway shows.
Punchier than navy
Indigo has been one of the cool go-tos in home decor. It's punchier than navy, and the saturated color, with its note of purple, shows off furniture frames well, whether sofa or chair. Even cabinetry and shelving have been introduced in indigo shades. In tone-on-tone pattern or often teamed with white, it's a strong accent.
"Indigo is, without question, the most versatile and romantic of all the blues," said designer Barclay Butera, who highlighted it in his furniture collection for Highland House, as well as bedding for Eastern Accents.
