Creating in a world of uncertainty.
A familiar narrative dominates the media: glorifying perfectionism, perpetuating fast paced trends and even faster fashion. As AI rises ‘to takeover’, a growing fear spreads that authentic artistry is being copied, freely distributed and quietly erased by the click of a button. Real human tactile design and creation are hidden from view, believed to be fading and soon even replaced – that assumption is wrong.
The return of the maker is coming back to life steadily, quietly and meaningfully.
Across various platforms and places around the globe – we are designing again,
rebelling against the imposed styles we have been pressured to adopt and reclaiming
our creative autonomy. Of course the maker has always existed, yet a dip in imagination
and personal style has hit – no doubt you have felt it too…
Driven by constant media exposure, we fall into the trap of micro trends,
extending the cycle of overconsumption and conforming to the latest ‘trend of
the month’. We live fast, so we shop fast. Our excuse is always time. No time
to think, to repair, or to research what is made and how. The faster we move,
the more disposable everything we own becomes.
Fast fashion is in full effect, from the online brands we all conveniently rush to
blame for the sins of fast fashion, to the high-street brands we consume
without thinking – our moral compasses a lot less concerned when scrolling
through their polished websites or walking around the aesthetic stores. The
fast fashion overtake has distorted the understanding of fair pricing, quality
items and even the literal process of creating. We have lost respect for
designers. Respect for the actual craft and the skilled process behind an
individual item. In its place we embrace instant buying machines which never
turn off, tracking our every move. We allow them to promise us endless
garments and entice us through trend and season – blind to the harm we are
now intertwined in causing to our own planet.
credits: top: LOU DE BETOLY / bottom: JUSTINE CLENQUETDo not fear the maker is here…and the guilt of past consumption can be
reframed. Creating from what you own, hoard or cannot resell, is a skill which
could actually begin to save our planet from its climate crisis demise. The rise
of crocheting and sewing have spiked on Tik Tok and reselling apps – both for
art&fashion to sell and for personal style without monetary gain. The pure
enjoyment of creating, regardless of whether items are sold or just owned,
provides a sense of hope and intrigue for the future world of fashion. This
wave of creation reflects a renewed interest in hands-on hobbies and skills,
not as a step backwards but as a means to move forwards in an ever changing
world. Makers aren’t reverting to the past; instead, they are utilising skills
(crocheting, sewing, knitting, moulding…) to enhance their personal style and
wardrobes – reintroducing individuality back into the mix.
Starting a new hobby can be empowering. A hobby is not a distraction from
life, it is simply a means to do something for your own pleasure or gain at your
leisure. A slow activity that could improve your personal skill set, whilst
bringing back creativity and hopefully in this case: reducing excess waste.
Don’t let ‘life get in the way’ – incorporate new things into it. Enjoy the way you
spend time, use it to produce something unexpected and new.
If you have not considered making, doing, creating or getting involved in your
own personal wardrobe then this is your sign. Before you make that last
minute purchase or throw out last years summer dress – take a moment, think,
pause. What can you do with this? What would you want to do but maybe
don’t know how? What could you learn? What could you make?
This is your sign.
The return of the maker is here.
credits: top: JUSTINE CLENQUET / bottom: IRIS VAN HERPEN
credits: top POLINA OSIPOVA / bottom DILARA FINDIKOĞLU
credits: LOU DE BETOLYCredits:
Words: Issy McElroy / @issymac
Photo Editor: Nehir Kamasak / @nehirkamasak
Featured: Lou De Betoly, Justine Clenquet, Iris van Harpen, Polina Osipova, Dilara Findikoglu / @loudebetoly, @justineclenquet, @irisvanherpen, @polinatammi, @dilarafindikoglu
Silhouettes of Sound / Kate Miao