Reuse, Recycle: Emily Dawn Long’s Zero-Trace Tie Dye
November 2, 2019
Special Projects
Photography:
Creigh Lyndon
Creigh Lyndon
Words:
India Hendrikse
India Hendrikse
Like the carefree splashes of colour a child adds to paper on their first day of school, there’s something endearingly naive about Emily Dawn Long’s hand-dying techniques. With the colour palette of a Wes Anderson fruit bowl – muted peaches, lilacs and mustard yellows – the New York City designer’s clothing line is an ode to nature. A zero-waste approach sees leftovers from dinners with friends bust a new lease on life, being used to tie dye a collection of clothes that seem reminiscent of an off-duty Lady Diana (but on acid). Flowers, swirls and criss-cross patterns – all tie dyed – are plastered across bike shorts, loose cotton shirts, bucket hats and tote bags; a cohesive hotchpotch of 80s dreams. Here, Emily delves into her creative process, and how each drop of clothing comes about.

PP: Tell us a little bit about what you do.
EDL: Oh, man. The bigger question is what do I not do. I have a lot of ideas! Right now, I’m enjoying exploring those in multiple facets. I’ve touched many versions of the fashion industry and I’m taking that experience and running with it.
PP: What did you want to be when you were little?
EDL: I just wanted to use my hands to make things, and always be learning. Both of which I still do.
PP: What are your favourite things about living in New York City?
EDL: I really love my neighbours in my building in Chinatown. They have lived here a lot longer than me, and I love making them smile with my gnarly tie-dyed hands and studio in the back. Plus, almost all of my friends live or work in the area, so I get a minimum of two random buzzes a day from friendly faces.
PP: Can you tell us about one of your professional goals for the year?
EDL: Seeing friends, peers and your community wearing your brand and pieces is a pretty rad goal in my book.


