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Tie-dye: the trend with more comebacks than a toxic ex.
Image source: Who What Wear
I've never been too big a fan of the ol' tie-dye trend (since you DO care). I don't think it's particularly horrendous or anything, but its current appeal left me wondering where this clothing style originated. Curious to learn more, I did a little internet deep dive (or as some would call it, a single Google search) to figure this thing out.
ANCIENT ASIA
Before it rose to popularity and became synonymous with '60s social rebellion and Blake Anderson from Workaholics, tie-dye dated as far back as ancient China and Japan - during the T’ang Dynasty between 618 and 906 C.E. in China and during the Nara Period from 552 to 794 C.E. in Japan. During this time, natives used natural items such as berries, leaves, roots and flowers placed in boiling water to extract colour for dye. Today, the process of sustainable fabric dying using food items such as beetroot juice, tumeric, red cabbage and tea has also been extensively explored. Essentially, the ancient Asians were some real influencers.
6TH CENTURY INDIA
Now let's take it back to 6th century India (6th century doesn't even sound like a real time, bro) where 'Bandhani', an Indian tie-dying process was first introduced. A significant player in the textile industry to this day, this process involved women growing the nails of their thumb and index finger as long as possible to grasp small bits of fabric that they could bind with cotton and tying it. Once the tying is complete, the fabric is dipped in dye and the sections that are tied remain undyed, resulting in beautifully intricate fabrics.
18TH CENTURY AFRICA
Dating back to 18th century, Western Africans have been known for their boldly tie-dyed garments. Their process begins with a base fabric, where intricate patterns are deftly created by winding or tying string or small strips of grass to form a resist. The fabrics often incorporated symbols unique to Ashanti,Akan, or Adinkra people, which traces back to nature and the symbols their culture attaches to animals and plants.
PSYCHEDELIC SIXTIES
And finally, the period tie-dye pretty much became known for: the '60s. Apart from looking like a badass Woodstock attendee, these multi-coloured fabrics were created with great cultural significance in the '60s and '70s as they served as an "emblem of the rejection of strict social norms imposed on society within the 1950s"; anti-establishment art, if you will.
TIE-DYE TODAY
Today, tie-dye lives in the wardrobes of your neighbourhood IG baddies, particularly those donning the two-piece loungewear set seen on just about every popular international women's retailer. It has also showed great influence both in streetwear and on the runway over the last year or so. Old or new, DIY or designer, this trend can be found pretty much everywhere and will surely do its rounds for years to come.
Here are some personal favourite tie-dye items (linked):
What are your thoughts on this trend?
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