Tie and dye techniques
The 60s saw tie-dye become a sensation when the US company Rit decided to advertise its dye products by initiating a door-to-door sales for artists in New York city. The DIY project spurned by frugality during the Second World War became emblematic of a decade and, a fashion style was born.
Where it all began
Whilst we tend to associate tie dye with a neo-hippie-movement of the 60s and 70s, it really is steeped in the ancient Egyptian methods of dyeing mummy wrappings. The practice was widely used in other Asian and African cultures such as China, Nigeria and Senegal to name a few. One of the earliest recorded tie-dye styles dates back to 4,000 BC in India during the Indus Valley Civilization. In Japan and Indonesia, as early as the 8th century and China was recorded to have done tie-dyes in the T’ang dynasty and Nara period.
During the great depression of the 1930s, tie dye was accompanied with pamphlets on how to use beyond clothes. Following the Great Depression wherein frugality became the norm, tie dye was viewed as a waste of resources and was only revived during the psychedelic era of the 60s. In the early 70s, tie-dye was associated with the hippie movement and was the informal ‘dress-code’ at protests and music festivals eternalized by the likes of Janis Joplin.
Earlier tie dye techniques
Common use of wax starch or mud paste was adopted in the earlier decades. Rice paste resistant dyes such as Katazome and Tsutsugaki are commonly used in Japan for Shibori. In Indonesia, Malaysia and Philippines, Ikat, is commonly practised- using yarns to tightly wrap around the fabric. In India, Bandhani is created using a ‘puckering’ style where workers pinch the fabric. Over in West Africa, grass was strip-tied around the cloth.
Distinctions in appearance by region
African tie-dye can be easily distinguished by its colour vibrancy and bold patterns which tend to bleed out. Asian tie-dyes tend to be more controlled and intricate with smaller symmetrical detailing. Symbolism is also apparent in the West African prints such as the Akan or Ashanti which feature animals and plants and were generally a representation of the region the person came from.
Watch our space for upcoming blogs on Shibori, Ikat and Bandhani as we delve deeper into those styles of regional tie-dye techniques! In the meantime, you can explore our collection showcasing these techniques here as well as follow us on Instagram! Use the code WELCOME10 to get 10% off your first order!