Street Art Meets Nature: One-of-a-Kind Sweaters by AKA.ARTWEAR x Rivarossa Botanicals
At the heart of slow fashion lies creativity, sustainability, and storytelling—and this is exactly what we set out to celebrate in our latest collaboration between Carly Catalano of Rivarossa Botanicals and Kaye Guthries of AKA.ARTWEAR.
Together, we’ve created a limited run of handcrafted, one-of-a-kind slouch sweaters—each one a layered work of wearable art. This collaboration brings together two contrasting yet complementary worlds: botanical dyeing and street art, forming a powerful visual dialogue between nature and urban expression.
A Creative Process Rooted in Nature
The journey of each sweater begins with Carly of Rivarossa Botanicals, who hand-dyes each piece using a custom organic Indigo vat and traditional shibori techniques. These ancient methods of binding, folding, and stitching fabric before dyeing result in intricate patterns—no two ever the same.
Some garments go a step further, being dyed with flowers grown from seed in Carly’s garden. These homegrown botanicals tell a seasonal story through colour and form, turning each piece into a wearable garden. A few special sweaters are also screen-printed with hand-drawn floral illustrations, adding another layer of detail and personality.
A Bold Burst of Expression
From there, the sweaters travel to Kaye Guthries of AKA.ARTWEAR, a master of aerosol art. With fearless colour and expressive energy, Kaye layers each piece with bold, dynamic sprays of paint. Her street-art approach adds contrast and electricity to the gentle plant-dyed base, creating something vibrant, playful, and alive.
The final result is a garment that fuses two artistic languages: earthy and organic meets bright and bold, soft and subtle meets energetic and loud.
Why Collaboration Matters
In a world that often encourages individualism and competition, creative collaborations like this remind us of the power of coming together. By combining our distinct practices—natural dyeing and street-style painting—we push boundaries, learn from each other, and build something entirely new.
It’s more than just a sweater. It’s two art forms intersecting, each respecting the other’s voice while creating harmony. It’s slow fashion elevated with meaning, craftsmanship, and soul.
Wearable Art with Purpose
Each sweater is made from breathable Cotton French Terry, designed with a relaxed boxy fit and oversized sleeves for all-day comfort. They're easy to wear, but packed with character. Whether you gravitate towards the indigo-dipped florals or the graffiti-style colour bursts, you’re choosing a piece that celebrates sustainability, individuality, and artistry.
These are not mass-produced. They are limited-run, handmade garments made with intention—and they won’t be recreated.
A Final Note from Us
We’re proud of this collaboration—not just for the beautiful sweaters we’ve created, but for the friendship, trust, and creative growth it’s fostered.
If you’re someone who values slow fashion, local art, botanical dyeing, or just love owning something that nobody else in the world has—this collection is for you.
→ Shop the Collection Now
→ Check out our AKA x RIVA Workhop On August 2nd
