Custom Collectives Tie Dyeing

Custom Collectives Tie Dyeing

The Successful Siblings Behind Custom Collectives.

Did you know that tie-dye has been around since 4000 B.C.? It’s true, long before the squeezable dye and swirly patterns of the 60s, the Indian Bandhani type of tie-dying was used to honor special events and momentous occasions. In fact, many cultures have used the process of “resist” dyeing  to manipulate and add color to fabric. Twisting, turning, wetting, and wringing, these ageless techniques paint universes onto cloth - billowing, bright spirals of pigment and happiness.

Today, the psychedelic print symbolizes love and compassion, a need for togetherness and freedom deeply rooted in 60s culture. Here in Ellicottville, Jenna and Kolby Aldrich have taken this message to heart. The siblings, inspired by the relaxing process and unique results, transformed a bonding activity into a business. Custom Collectives, born from an Instagram post, is a one-stop-shop for tie-dye lovers and those searching for a splash of color. The online collection is full of glorious long- and short-sleeved T-shirts, sweatshirts, flannels, and masks. The pair also accepts custom orders. “Basically,” Jenna says, “anything you could ever want dyed, anything you could think of, we can put on fabric.”

Custom Collectives, a combination of the siblings’ characteristic ingenuity and creativity, prides itself on its array of clothing tailored to the customer’s individuality. With every colorful batch painstakingly turned out in four to five hours, each piece is guaranteed to be one-of-a-kind.

“We create our tie-dye by thinking what kind of vibe we want the shirt to send our customers,” Jenna explains. “We usually come up with a list of ideas before we even start, or while Kolby is prepping. We also mix our own dye, so we are able to determine how potent the dye will be, giving even more options for color schemes.”

Kolby, a senior at Ellicottville Central School (ECS), picked up his entrepreneurial skills from his Uncle Dan, owner of Aldrich Painting and Aldrich Aerial Photography. “I work on houses all throughout town with his crew,” says the 17-year-old. “I have met a lot of people and learned a lot of skills.” Alongside houses, Kolby occasionally gets to exercise his artistic skills on the job. He says repainting the WWII missile at the Ellicottville American Legion is a definite highlight.

“Outside of work, my hobbies include tie-dying, learning new things, playing soccer, and listening to music,” Kolby adds. “Music helps me with my mind and creativity.” He hopes to attend college for business and entrepreneurship next year.

Jenna, who graduated from ECS in 2017, will receive her Bachelor’s in Psychology from Daemen College this December, and plans to work towards a Master’s in Public Health next fall.  A tri-season athlete in high school, Jenna always appreciated Ellicottville’s signature sense of community and support. “Currently, I am working at the Cupcaked Bakery in town,” she says, “but I also love making and reworking clothes by crocheting, sewing, or dyeing. When I have time, I enjoy hiking and playing soccer with my family and friends,” she adds.

Browsing through Custom Collective’s inventory, both Jenna and Kolby’s unbounded creativity is on full display. But though their winding, whirly patterns are a joy to behold, working with a sibling can sometimes be a little challenging. 

“We don’t really butt heads too often,” the duo laughs,” but we would have to say that we do have some disagreements when it comes to the styling of clothing.”  They pause … “Usually, we end up making both of our ideas come to life anyway.”

This is the overwhelming determination and willingness to experiment that drives the pair. “Starting a business with my brother has definitely strengthened my relationship with him,” Jenna says. “We have been pretty close ever since we were old enough to actually hang out, but making shirts and coming up with ideas together makes me realize how lucky I am to have a brother as smart and determined as Kolby.”

“The business forces us to work together so things can run properly,” admits Kolby. “We did go through the typical sibling rivalry, but with that behind us, we have grown into new and better people.”

The pair is thankful for their stronger-than-normal sibling-ship. “We have always been able to sit down and talk,” Jenna explains, “and it has only gotten easier. When we spend time with each other, it isn’t something we find a chore because we want to do it anyway.”

As Custom Collectives grows, the pair hopes to continue bringing ideas to life - big and small - from the quietude of their home. Their overarching goal? To add color and cheer to the community they love. Eventually, Jenna and Kolby hope to transform their signature tie-dye into orders for local businesses, organizations, and teams.

“We would like to thank our family and friends,” they say together. “They have offered encouragement on so many levels to help us proceed with this new adventure. Our parents have played a huge role in allowing us to take over the house so we can grow our business. Additionally, we would like to thank Uncle Dan for helping us get in our entrepreneur mindset.” 

A big thank you, too, goes to their coworkers and the community for supporting and promoting Custom Collectives products. 

“We are both quite busy,” says Jenna, “but it is refreshing to come home and spend time with my brother doing something we both love so much.”

To check out their ever-growing collection, show some support, or place an order, search their Custom Collectives page on Facebook or follow @custom.collectives_ on Instagram.