TVAAG introduces the world’s first collection of 100 per cent ethically sourced and sustainable plant-based activewear naturally dyed with 24 Ayurvedic herbs
Founded in P.E.I in 2020, plant-based activewear startup TVAAG uses a combination of Indian traditional textile manufacturing principles and modern fabric technology in sustainable fashion.
Meghal Vijayan, co-founder of TVAAG, was brought up in an Indian home, and as a child helped his mother make clothing and watched his father, a nature enthusiast, use healing plants to treat ailments.
“Why couldn’t the same types of healing herbs be used in clothing?” he asked himself. “Can the clothes keep any of the plant’s wellness properties? And most importantly…Why are we wearing plastic?”
Recent studies have found that 83% of the world’s drinking water is contaminated with microfibers from synthetic fabrics and also toxic synthetic dyes.
The conventional textile dyes like azo and formaldehydes can show carcinogenic and mutagenic effects on the human body.
Derived from Sanskrit, TVAAG meaning ‘skin’, was created to allow your skin and Mother Earth to breathe a bit easier. TVAAG is driven by its Three Leaves Philosophy, plant-based lifestyle, environmental sustainability and enhancing human consciousness.
Each TVAAG product gives people another opportunity to contribute to the health of the Planet. From raw materials and packaging, to the manufacturing process, TVAAG makes ethical, sustainable choices for its customers and the Planet.
TVAAG uses special plant-based fabrics like bamboo and GOTS-cotton and 100% herbal dyes.
What are TVAAG’s plant dyes?
Creating and using plant-based-dyes is a wonderful way to gain an understanding of the biology and the chemistry at work in the plants around us.
Chemical Dyes are more easily transferred to fibers, do not require as much time in preparation, and stand up better to repeated washing and exposure to sunlight. But, they come with extreme and dire consequences to the human health.
Natural dyes are desirable mainly because of the quality of colour that can be created with them. Dyes extracted from plants contain many different pigments, and thus are not the “pure” forms of pigment used in today’s chemical dyes. These impurities create rich and sometimes unexpected colour, that can never be duplicated. For many, the process of extracting the dyes from their natural sources connects them to their work and gives them control over each step of creation.
TVAAG primarily uses the following Medicinal Plants for imparting colours. When the fabrics are dyed with these plants through special dyeing methods, the cloth also inherits these medicinal properties.
“For production we use a unique combination of 24 herbs like Neem, Tulsi etc. derived from ancient Indian medicinal system Ayurveda instead of toxic synthetics dyes. They have proven healing properties and been used for centuries. Hence, they are also non-harmful when released into the waters,” says Vijayan.
TVAAG is entering the Activewear market with Leggings that have been designed for ultra-performance – to be non-static and hypoallergenic. They are naturally breathable and sweat-absorbent. Its moisture wicking properties keep the skin comfortable over long hours of workout.
TVAAG’s products are sustainably sourced and manufactured in a facility in India that meets strict global labour and ethical standards.
TVAAG is committed to give back part of the sales to farmers of natural dyes in India and enhance their lives.
