Clothes To Dye For

Tie-dye has been around for decades in Nigeria. Patterned in different colours and style, tie-dyed clothes are always a sight to behold. 

Called adire in some parts of Nigeria, and common among people of Egbaland in Ogun State. Adire is made by resist-dyeing which involves a precise form of separation of certain parts of the fabric to ensure that the dye being used doesn’t get to it.

With the help of pioneer designer Maki Oh, adire has grown and gained international attention over the years. There is a cultural beauty associated with adire that precedes it, no matter the style of outfit you choose to design it with, you can always tell that there is an African root to it.

Aiming to be more homebound and with the interest of international media in Nigerian/African fashion, designers are taking it upon themselves to use locally originated fabrics. For his collection at the 2017 Lagos Fashion and Design Week, Emmanuel Okoro of Emmy Kasbit tapped the knowledge and expertise of native women in Eastern Nigeria to akwete – a local woven fabric.

There is no limit to what you could do with this fabric and where you could wear it to. Here is a collection of tie-dye styles to explore.

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Johnson Johnson. Photo Credit: LFDW

JZO. Photo Credit: LFDW

Maki Oh. Photo Credit: LFDW

Lisa Folawiyo. Photo Credit: LFDW

Post Imperial. Photo Credit: LFDW

Post Imperial. Photo Credit: LFDW

Rich Mnisi. Photo Credit: LFDW

Tiffany Amber. Photo Credit: LFDW