Adire is all the rage

Popularly known as Adirè, the tie and dye fabric is currently having its moment with fashion lovers and designers alike spotting it in all sorts of styles ranging from trousers to dresses and even pantsuits.

Originating from the Yoruba people in southwest Nigeria, Adirè is a cotton fabric that has been resist-dyed using indigo.

This fabric might be the year’s most woke fashion trend, but another part of its appeal is its individuality. Traditionally, tie-dye is made by tying bunches of fabric with waxed thread, so the dye only covers exposed areas – meaning no two pieces are ever the same. In the ’60s and ’70s, when tie-dye was pervasive, it became a symbol of individuality and creative expression through handmade, rustic versions that didn’t cost much.