A good piece! Especially the history around patchwork was really interesting, and also enjoyed reading your perspective on the current state of scaling upcycling!
Although, I do think that there is also need to normalize visibly mended or upcycled clothing. Our current perspective of ”new-looking clothes = wealth, and therefore success and happiness” is one of the barriers to actually consuming less and getting repair and upcycling to go mainstream. When we’re able to view wornout clothes or visibly mended clothes still culturally ok to wear, we’re able to truly move towards consuming less and caring for what we own.
Thanks for the thoughtful response, Tina! And such a good perspective to the argument. I completely agree that the social and cultural acceptance of repaired/reworn/upcycled is the uphill battle to true impact and change.
I do, however, love early "trojan horse" moments. Getting people to adopt circular and sustainable behaviors without realizing it. That way when it's introduced more explicitly, it's not as scary - because they have (secretly) been doing it the whole time.
I really love how this piece is put together! I loved learning about the history of it. I’ve been thinking about this idea of when something naturally comes about based on necessity or it being a part of someone’s identity it always feels way more authentic than when something’s created out of a reaction to something (more specifically - brands reacting to a trend).
This also reminded me of people using scrap yarn to make projects that look mismatched intentionally
Thank you, Anaya! It truly does come down to authenticity. I feel like the answers to most riddles in fashion come down to it.
Also for the small designers and brands who pioneered patchwork and deconstructed clothing, it felt so fresh and powerful. Creativity + Authenticity = *chef's kiss*
A good piece! Especially the history around patchwork was really interesting, and also enjoyed reading your perspective on the current state of scaling upcycling!
Although, I do think that there is also need to normalize visibly mended or upcycled clothing. Our current perspective of ”new-looking clothes = wealth, and therefore success and happiness” is one of the barriers to actually consuming less and getting repair and upcycling to go mainstream. When we’re able to view wornout clothes or visibly mended clothes still culturally ok to wear, we’re able to truly move towards consuming less and caring for what we own.
Thanks for the thoughtful response, Tina! And such a good perspective to the argument. I completely agree that the social and cultural acceptance of repaired/reworn/upcycled is the uphill battle to true impact and change.
I do, however, love early "trojan horse" moments. Getting people to adopt circular and sustainable behaviors without realizing it. That way when it's introduced more explicitly, it's not as scary - because they have (secretly) been doing it the whole time.
I really love how this piece is put together! I loved learning about the history of it. I’ve been thinking about this idea of when something naturally comes about based on necessity or it being a part of someone’s identity it always feels way more authentic than when something’s created out of a reaction to something (more specifically - brands reacting to a trend).
This also reminded me of people using scrap yarn to make projects that look mismatched intentionally
Thank you, Anaya! It truly does come down to authenticity. I feel like the answers to most riddles in fashion come down to it.
Also for the small designers and brands who pioneered patchwork and deconstructed clothing, it felt so fresh and powerful. Creativity + Authenticity = *chef's kiss*