Adire, explained
What is Adire? Nigerian tie and dye, made in Lagos
Adire is the Yoruba art of resist dyeing: cloth is tied, stitched or folded before it meets the dye, and the places the dye cannot reach become the pattern. Just Adire carries that legacy into contemporary art, ceramics and collectible design — and you can see, hold and buy it at our gallery in Lagos.
The types of Adire
Adire oniko
Tied and bound with raffia or thread before dyeing. The knots block the dye and leave rings, spirals and starbursts — the technique most people mean when they say tie and dye.
Adire alabere
Stitched by hand, then pulled tight so the thread resists the dye. Fine, linear patterns that read almost like drawing on cloth.
Adire eleko
Cassava starch is painted or stencilled onto the cloth as the resist, producing crisp motifs in indigo and white.
Contemporary Adire
At JA Gallery the tradition is worked on broderie anglaise, eyelet cotton and silk in emerald, ink, terracotta and the house indigo — Adire as collectible contemporary design.
Where to buy Adire in Lagos
Just Adire is at Plot A, Obafemi Awolowo Way, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria, open Monday to Saturday. The gallery is rooted in the heart of Ikeja and serves collectors across Lagos — from Victoria Island and Ikoyi to Yaba and the mainland — with finished pieces, cloth by the yard and made-to-order commissions.
Adire questions, answered
- What is Adire?
- Adire is a Yoruba resist-dye textile tradition from south-west Nigeria. Cloth is tied, stitched, folded or coated with starch before it meets the dye; wherever the dye cannot reach becomes the pattern. In everyday language Nigerians call it tie and dye.
- What is the difference between Adire and tie and dye?
- Tie and dye is one technique inside the wider Adire family. Adire oniko is tied and bound, adire alabere is stitched, and adire eleko is resisted with cassava starch. Just Adire works across all three on broderie anglaise, cotton and silk.
- Where can I buy Adire in Lagos?
- You can buy Adire in Lagos at Just Adire — Plot A, Obafemi Awolowo Way, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria. Finished pieces, two-piece sets and cloth by the yard are on the rail and shelves, and made-to-order commissions are taken at the counter.
- Can I order Adire fabric by the yard?
- Yes. Lengths of hand-dyed batik, tie-dye and wax cloth are sold by the yard, and we can dye a custom colourway for weddings, uniforms and asoebi orders.
- Do you ship Adire outside Nigeria?
- Yes — message us on WhatsApp at +234 808 976 0302 or email hello@justadire.com and we will arrange international delivery.