A DIY Original: Tie Dye
A Brief History
Since 3000 BC, different methods of tie dye have been practiced in China, India, Africa, Japan, and South America. In China, tie dyed fabrics were worn as a status symbol for priests. Meanwhile, brides in India were wearing Bandhani method tie dyed saree for their weddings. By 327 BC. Alexander the Great wrote in his texts of “beautiful printed cottons” in India (Simon-Alexander, Tie-Dye: Dye It, Wear It, Share It.) Tie Dyeing is a technique of the world; used by different cultures to elevate, express, and harmonize, color.
In the textile world, the tie dyeing technique is a subcategory of a process called restrictive dyeing. The concept behind tie-dyeing is to restrict the dye from reaching certain areas. Creators can make expressive, dynamic, and contrasted textile design.
A DIY Original
Our 100% Supima® Cotton T-shirt was made for customized dyeing techniques. You may have noticed how well our Supima® cotton communicates color. This remains true when tie dye techniques are applied. The density of Supima® extra long staple (ELS) cotton fibers lead to improved color retention and uniformity, much more than commonly used cottons.
Our 400gsm Organic Cotton hoodies, crewnecks, and sweatpants are tie dye champions as well. Allowing customers to experiment and coordinate ensembles can allow for a full-expressed and distinct creative vision. One of our customers, Jiberish, used a technique called ice dyeing to add unique craftsmanship to their recent capsule.
Contemporary Studies
Tie Dye has been resonating with fashion consumers for the past decade. There is a tangible human connection to Tie Dye. Designers have built their brand on refining ancient tie dye practices, and telling vibrant visual stories along the way.
In 2012, Greg Chait of The Elder Statesmen was awarded the top prize of $300k from the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Prize for his elevated knitwear. Today, he has honed heirloom-worthy tie dyed processes into his multi-faceted product. While his brand has held fashion’s attention throughout the years, his pieces still communicate a democratic sense of beauty.
In an interview with Vogue, artist and designer Zak Syroka discusses his use of tie dyeing to elevate basics. While he typically tie dyes jeans, he has also tie-dyed tank tops to fundraise for presidential candidate Bernie Sanders.
When former Chief Creative Officer of Burton, Greg Dacyshyn, and former Supreme and Stussy designer, Greg Johnson, created Camp High unique tie-dyed pieces were a defining result.
