Dickies Creates Sun-Dyed Clothing Range

Published 29 July 2022

Author
Elspeth Taylor
2 min read

Traditional textile dyeing impacts the planet with excess water consumption, chemical leaching and the use of toxic heavy metals. In a sustainable turn, US workwear brand Dickies has collaborated with art collective New York Sunshine to create a limited-edition range of clothing crafted from repurposed sun-dyed fabric.

The dyeing process harnesses heat and light energy from the sun to lighten fabrics, achieving a one-off, low-impact textile finish without additional processing.

Textile innovators are working to reduce reliance on raw materials and harmful industrial processing. It is encouraging to see mainstream brands experimenting with fabric treatments that work with – rather than harm – the natural world.

The Sun-Dyed in Texas collection, featuring headwear, socks, vests, jackets and trousers, is the second instalment of Dickies’ collaboration with New York Sunshine. In summer 2021, Dickies supplied the art collective with its signature blue twill cloth to wrap around two installations set in the landscape of Marfa, Texas. The project, constructed in June and dismantled in September, featured a billboard that read “Just Another Day in Paradise” and a silhouette-like house-shaped sculpture. After exposure to the elements and summer sun, the fabric was removed from the installation and repurposed for the new collaborative clothing collection.

Owing to the organic process of sun-dyeing, every garment is unique – a feature underlined by individually numbered labels illustrating each product’s rarity. The collection ranges from an accessible $20 to $420 for a jacket.

Want to know more about the future of sustainable practices in materials? Learn how biodesign is paving the way towards sustainability, optimum performance and healthier ecosystems by downloading your sample report: The Biodesign Landscape 2022.

Get in touch to speak to a member of the Stylus team and find out how your brand can harness trends and insights like these for future commercial success. 

The dyeing process harnesses heat and light energy from the sun to lighten fabrics, achieving a one-off, low-impact textile finish without additional processing.

Textile innovators are working to reduce reliance on raw materials and harmful industrial processing. It is encouraging to see mainstream brands experimenting with fabric treatments that work with – rather than harm – the natural world.

The Sun-Dyed in Texas collection, featuring headwear, socks, vests, jackets and trousers, is the second instalment of Dickies’ collaboration with New York Sunshine. In summer 2021, Dickies supplied the art collective with its signature blue twill cloth to wrap around two installations set in the landscape of Marfa, Texas. The project, constructed in June and dismantled in September, featured a billboard that read “Just Another Day in Paradise” and a silhouette-like house-shaped sculpture. After exposure to the elements and summer sun, the fabric was removed from the installation and repurposed for the new collaborative clothing collection.

Owing to the organic process of sun-dyeing, every garment is unique – a feature underlined by individually numbered labels illustrating each product’s rarity. The collection ranges from an accessible $20 to $420 for a jacket.

Want to know more about the future of sustainable practices in materials? Learn how biodesign is paving the way towards sustainability, optimum performance and healthier ecosystems by downloading your sample report: The Biodesign Landscape 2022.

Get in touch to speak to a member of the Stylus team and find out how your brand can harness trends and insights like these for future commercial success. 

Dickies x New York Sunshine

Dickies x New York Sunshine

Dickies x New York Sunshine

Dickies x New York Sunshine

Dickies x New York Sunshine

Dickies x New York Sunshine

Dickies x New York Sunshine

Dickies x New York Sunshine

Dickies x New York Sunshine

Dickies x New York Sunshine

Dickies x New York Sunshine

Dickies x New York Sunshine