We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Abbey Simpson. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Abbey below.

Abbey, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s start with a story that highlights an important way in which your brand diverges from the industry standard.

After working for a small, sustainability-minded slow fashion company for 5 years, I knew that even that model required participating in the rat race of constant new inventory, putting on sales every month, pushing product, and feeling like you never made a dent. I knew when I started Abbey Dyed I wanted to focus primarily on giving new life to already owned garments and teaching people how to plant dye. My hope is that I can contribute to people buying less and trying to extend the life of things they already own.

Abbey, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I started as a dye apprentice for Miranda Bennett Studio in Austin, TX in 2018 with absolutely no previous plant dyeing experience. I was asked to stay on as a dye assistant and then ended up being the lead dyer by 2020. I learned everything I know about plant dyeing on the job, through trial and error, and from my experienced dye mentors. When MBS closed in 2023, I had never intended to have a plant dyeing business of my own but it felt like the most natural next step. I knew I didn’t want to create my own clothing line so I dove headfirst into teaching dye workshops. I teach eco-printing, where you steam flowers, plants and dye extracts onto fabric, as well as indigo workshops. I have done workshops for small groups of friends, baby showers, bachelorette parties, corporate events and even a music festival. I also do custom dye work for small brands and people who want to refresh something in their wardrobe. I have a small line of products I offer (cotton bandanas, silk scarves, velvet eye pillows, silk hat bands) but my focus will always be teaching and giving new life to something already in your closet.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding aspect of being a creative is getting to share it with other people. When I teach a workshop I get to see how different people interpret the dye process and I always leave inspired.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

I currently don’t have a website or do any marketing- my business is entirely word of mouth and I am incredibly grateful to my small but mighty following. I have an Instagram that I constantly neglect and never curate. Is this recommended? Absolutely not. But the people that find me are serious about plant dyeing! Workshops are an amazing way for me to connect with people and build relationships. I’m able to not do any marketing because every event I do usually leads to at least two more. My friends and family could also not be more supportive!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @AbbeyDyed

Image Credits

Hailey Whidden