Rihanna’s recent vacation post confirms tie-dye is still going strong in 2021. The singer showed off a Dannijo silk slip dress with a matching bucket hat for her day in the Barbados sun. Along with a Djula diamond necklace, Rihanna sported vintage rainbow-hued Chanel sunglasses. The Fenty designer captioned the shot “jade in da shade” to highlight her accessories: jade earrings, a jade ring, and a jade bracelet.
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While the jewels are certainly envy-inspiring, Riri’s commitment to tie-dye may be the most notable fashion takeaway. It’s a strong signal that trend forecasters who say tie-dye isn’t going away any time soon are right. The bright and bold design has been on the fashion scene the last couple of seasons—and was especially popular this past year with DIYers looking for a home project.
This blast from the ‘60s counterculture past inspired big-name designers, who are taking a serious look at the cheerful fabric in their latest collections. The fashion magazines are taking note.
Expert Designers Have Taken Up Tie-Dye
“While we appreciate the sentiment of creating your own colourful tees, we prefer how the experts are translating the counterculture mainstay,” says Harper’s Bazaar. “From caftans to maxi dresses, sweat suits and denim, these shibori-inspired patterns hit every color of the rainbow, and are decidedly bougie.”
Tie-dye might be the perfect trend to bring designers into the post-quarantine moment. Designers who reimagined tie-dye for their recent collections include Christopher Kane, Dries van Noten, Y: Project, and Tom Ford.
A standout tie-dye design comes from Gabriela Hearst, the Uruguayan designer who created Jill Biden’s white Inaugural eve gown. The dress featured sheer long sleeves embroidered with flowers from every state and territory of the United States. Hearst’s interpretation of tie-dye is just as strikingly feminine as the First Lady’s memorable gown. The Massey tie-dye gauze gown ($4,750, shop here) is a long-sleeved, maxi-length floating dream of blue, red, and purple.
Other designers focusing attention on tie-dye prints include Christian Dior, Osman Yousefzada, Collina Strada, Matty Bovanand, and The Elder Statesman.
Trending Tie-Dye Feels Fresh
If you want to follow Rihanna’s lead and get ready for your next beach getaway, think about the grass green Dannijo Tie Dye Long Slip Dress ($225, shop here). It’s long and slinky—perfect for Barbados or any Caribbean island. If you don’t want to go head to toe in tie-dye, try the design on shoes or a weekend bag. The trend feels especially fresh on utility pants.
P.S.—on what Rihanna is up to in Barbados. It seems the singer has extended her December holiday with A$AP Rocky to spend time with her family. A$AP Rocky’s dad is also from Barbados. The two singers have a lot in common, and they’re both also committed to helping out their communities.