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Education to value

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How to survive in a world of destructive overproduction

Going from “fashion is dead” to a style rebirth as the reflection of a thoughtful lifestyle involves a renewed education to value. Which, in an era of devastating overproduction and immense confusion, takes time, a lot of time. Also, patience and humble work. By getting rid of pointless stuff. And silence rather than loudness and obsessive presence. Because it can be ok to post on social media, but for instance, if designers’ voices speak louder than their product, they are not for us.

The paradox of sustainability

Paradoxically, because of sustainability, buzz increased, yet no change ever happened. Noise, just a lot of noise. Who’s the greenest one? The show is on, but the conversation is demeaning. Thanks to green capitalism, in fact, many individuals found new job opportunities even though it has nothing to do with being sustainable. It’s about making money, not making change. Apart from climate activists, sustainability and green capitalism turned out to be a profitable bandwagon.

Indeed, green brushstrokes seemed very cool! And what’s absurd is that most people buy into it.

Therefore, from the perspective of searching for value and offering value, favouring interactions in smaller communities seem more effective than social media screaming. More real, more human. Fake conversations lead nowhere.

Education to value: what does it mean?

Start by avoiding mass production, mass tourism and intensive farming.
Specifically, in fashion, rediscovering value is about developing an understanding and appreciation of good design. And, learning about quality and artisanal handiwork.
Respect workers’ rights and human rights, and care if workers get fair wages. Above all, the necessity of working within the means of the planet.

It involves the need to eliminate the garbage brands try to sell, and not wanting to be part of a world that wants to promote it. Rather than buying pointless stuff, buy nothing at all.

Break the moulds.
Escape marketing slogans,
Search for quality, not quantity.
Because education to value means learning that less is more, even if the rest of the world still follows another direction.

Summer style

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Fashion and lifestyle #formodernhumans

Summer style for mainstream fashion communication means purchasing many cheap clothing: dresses, t-shirts, swimsuits. Lowest price possible. “Because, you know, it’s cheap! So I can throw it away quickly.” Of course, these people blindly contribute to generating tons of waste, but they don’t seem to care.

However, from the perspective of “buy less, buy better” – which is our viewpoint – summer style is about wearing the same clothes, just styled differently. You don’t have to buy more. In fact, you need the right pieces only.

That is the point of choosing meaningful garments. It’s a matter of value. Take quality, not quantity. Clothes that last for decades and are never out of place. Indeed, they represent an understated elegance with a contemporary sense of style. Just change the shoes and accessories, and you adapt them to your current occasion.

summer style
Summer style: The Mesh Poncho by Meagratia + The Cross Strap Sandals by Antenora

For instance, take The Mesh Poncho by Meagratia. In town, you can wear it over a T-shirt or a dress. But at the beach, you can wear it over a swimsuit during the day or a pair of shorts or a maxi skirt for the evening. The material is soft cotton that feels good on your skin and falls beautifully on your body. Moreover, it’s a piece that offers multiple style options.

For your summer style, we would love to show you our niche selection of meaningful garments handpicked from international designers who have something to say in the fashion panorama. Uniqueness, far away from mass production.

Drop us an email or WhatsApp and we’ll help you choose the best pieces for you.

International Shipping available!

We are based in Milano but ship our niche fashion selection #formodernhumans everywhere. In order to provide unicity and a sustainable approach, our selection offers a limited number of pieces.

Treat yourself today! ❤️

Customer criticism

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Niche fashion selection and clients’ expectations

As a fashion boutique, throughout our almost 18 years of independent activity, we’ve been open to feedback and customer criticism. Although we do our work conscientiously, there is always room for improvement.

Since we started this new path trying to bring forward our vision of fashion within the means of our planet, limiting as much as possible our impact, we went straight to the essential. Which means cleaning up a lot and reducing our selection to worthy garments only. In fact, we don’t need more. We need less, much less, but better quality.

So, it became even more important to listen to different viewpoints. Feedbacks and constructive criticism are always welcome.

Customer criticism on a limited selection

But sometimes, criticism revolves around the number of items selected. For instance: “Don’t always show that bag, otherwise people may think you have only a few items.” – said a client commenting on an Instagram post. Of course, it means she expected to see a broader selection.

“That’s right” – we replied. It was an intentional choice. In fact, we aren’t a fashion supermarket. We love hunting niche fashion pieces which are not for all. Most importantly, we think the fashion industry needs to change, and so does the way people consume clothing and not only that. It’s a matter of lifestyle and consumption habits in general. Our planet is melting, and we cannot afford fake marketing claims. We need immediate action.

Niche fashion #formodernhumans

A niche fashion selection might not be for you. But how can we stop promoting overconsumption if we still select endless choices of clothing and accessories? It would be impossible. Though niche fashion is not for everyone, more is not the answer. However, that comment made us understand that not everyone is open to change. As they do not see any problem. And do not even understand good design. So our selection might not be for them.

How do we respond to customer criticism about our precise selection and a limited number of items?

Rather than tons of garbage fashion or tasteless sustainable products, we need real fashion items: a good design and high quality. Made by creative individuals who know what they are doing, not by marketers. That’s it.

Being extremely selective, buying what really makes sense only. In limited quantity. That is what we do.

How do we dress for this unstable weather?

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Mastering the art of layering style

How do we dress for this unstable weather? It’s a question we hear frequently. Indeed, this is the season of crazy meteorological conditions. Sunshine today, rain tomorrow, or even worse, the weather changes over the day. So, you get dressed in the morning and go to work, but you don’t know what to expect when you close the office or finish your shift. Heading back home can be a real surprise!

By the way, the weather seems crazy all over Europe and perhaps not only on this side of the planet. You know, that thing called climate change…

Unstable weather & how to dress

The best way to dress for variable weather is layering. Indeed, for a long time now, we have been promoting this style because it allows you to wear your seasonless garment throughout the year. And so, when you purchase your clothes, you can focus on meaningful pieces only, knowing you’ll wear them for a long time.

The art of layering style

Layering means creating multiple layers of clothes, tone one tone or contrasting colours. This mix and match give good protection from the cold. But, at the same time, allows removing one or more garments depending on the weather. However, many people find this combination of fabrics of different weights difficult. In fact, the risk is to build up so many layers that they look like a sausage.

How to dress for this unstable weather?

Layering for the spring-summer season is easier because it’s about putting together lightweight clothes. So you will not risk building out too much. Start wearing a T-shirt underneath a shirt. Also, add up an oversized sweatshirt or a blazer and complete the outfit with a scarf. Then, depending on the temperature during the day, you can take off some layers which you’ll fold up and put in a shopping bag.

Of course, do not forget to put a foldable raincoat and a pair of sneakers in your bag.

If you may have any doubts, drop us an email or WhatsApp. We’d love to help you!

Tailoring vs mass products

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Valuing quality over novelties

Tailoring has nothing to do with mass products. Indeed, they are two worlds apart. Why make this point clear? Because what and how we buy, links to the change we want to make. In fact, it’s about promoting a cultural shift far from the novelty-obsessed fashion industry. To this end, changing the perspective of what we consider new is crucial.

Mass products: ready to wear and trendy items

With the term mass products, we identify the “production of large quantities of a standardised article by an automated mechanical process.” Specifically, in the fashion industry, we call it pret a porter or ready to wear. In other words, mass-produced clothing with an average price range. Both top brands and the “average market” garments are mass-produced.

You can call these garments new because they come from a new collection, a current season, or a new delivery. But that doesn’t imply specific quality standards. Nor anything significant in the context of climate change.

Ready to wear is trendy based, cheaper to manufacture and convenient for the consumer. But this business model has reached a tipping point. In fact, the impact it has on the planet is devastating and undeniable. Mass-produced clothing is the result of capitalism, an economic system based on the exploitation of people and the planet’s resources. Since this system believes in endless growth, it fosters overconsumption in the shape of trendy items pushing people towards novelty obsession.

Tailoring: quality over quantity

On another level, we find tailoring. Which means pieces manufactured by artisans, made by skilled hands. Therefore, clothing from ateliers or small realities. They would provide good quality in limited quantities reducing fashion waste.

While mass products change continuously, offering new items that last a breath of wind, tailored garments focus on quality and artisanal workings. In fact, their designs don’t change that much over time. You don’t buy them because they’re trendy, but because you’ll wear them for a lifetime.

Most importantly, tailoring brings an added value, mass products, instead, represent the perpetration of a destructive system.

What if what we consider new is wrong?

Quiet luxury: brands with no logo

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Tired of logomania?

Fashion style shifts towards quiet luxury – or brands showing no logo. Indeed, the world is awash in exposed brand names, overwhelming communication, and a polluting oversupply of clothes. Too much. And people end up seeing logos everywhere. Perhaps to the point of making them feel sick. Eventually, it seems some are changing perspectives.

Logomania vs quiet luxury

The logomania represents the triumph of capitalism in the fashion system, which fostered a consumerist and shallow taste. Logos are easy to market because they are recognised easily, and people identify with them. Although these items still have a big market in the fashion industry, some people are getting tired. Indeed, logo-emblazoned pieces provide (fake) status symbols rather than true style. So emerges the need for an understated luxury far from the need to show off.

Quality over quantity

Since we changed our perspective of the world because of the pandemic, climate change has become a priority. Consequently, our approach to fashion changed as well. We are not involved in trends anymore, but this understated style resonates with us. In fact, it’s nothing new! It’s the vision of fashion we have promoted for years.
This conscious approach implies a dramatic reduction of consumption, refusing standardised clothing and mass production. However, to us, it’s not a way to sell more. On the contrary, it’s a radical choice that goes to the essential. It’s about quality over quantity, choosing good design, timeless pieces you’ll wear for a lifetime. In a few words: buy less, buy better.

Quiet luxury: style, not logos

Quiet luxury is a minimal chic style, but it doesn’t refer to basic garments only. Developed around the concept of less is more, this evolved luxury is about wardrobe staples with a strong sense of design. In other words, accurate silhouettes, quality fabrics, and exquisite tailoring. Assembled to depict a sense of elegant ease.

Quiet luxury is minimalistic, modern and timeless. Though one must have a trained eye to recognise these garments, logoless items are for people who have nothing to prove. But the sense of effortless elegance reveals an incomparable style.

Retail and sustainability

How Italian consumers view sustainability

Today, Fashion Network shared a survey released during the second edition of the “Retail & sustainability” event. A meeting arranged by Mind-Milano Innovation District.

This survey scans Italian consumers and their views towards sustainability.

The survey

According to it, Italian consumers are more conscious towards environmental issues. One out of three (32%) is more careful to waste. Also, 30% believe it is crucial to limit pollution sources. Most importantly, 58,6% think companies are important players, together with citizens and government, in order to reach UN 23 goals.

According to the people interviewed, they say there is a mismatch between the active role companies should have and what they are actually doing. Specifically, 57,8% of consumers think that fashion and clothing companies are “little or not at all committed to the issue.”

In other words, Italian consumers say brands are not doing enough for sustainability.

But on the other hand, sustainability doesn’t have a fundamental role in the purchasing decision. Indeed, 65,9% of the interviewees consider multiple factors or not at all these aspects (14,7%).

However, in general, the price of these products or services is deemed higher compared to less sustainable alternatives.

Our viewpoint retail and sustainability

We see two problems here:
As a matter of fact, brands and retailers are not doing enough. Because it is difficult, it is time-consuming. Most of all, they wouldn’t make money as they did so far. Why should they make this effort? Of course, business and consciousness do not play well in a capitalistic view!
But also, consumers still purchase a lot of fast fashion or poor-quality garments.

Why aren’t consumers consistent with their expectations?

As a retailer, apart from our niche customers, the only request we hear is: “how much is it?” Because people do not care about quality. No one cares about “buy less, buy better.” They only want “cheap and buy more!”
Furthermore, social media are complicit in the ongoing diffusion of misleading practices. For instance, many brands with hordes of followers sell shoes for 50€, passing them off as made in Italy! Or cheap clothing with a price tag too low to be sustainable with eco-friendly tags. Do we believe in fairy tales?

So, we really would love to hear from consumers, from you!
As consumers, Italian, European or wherever you come from – what do you expect from retailers? And you, on your side, what are you willing to do for sustainability?

Drop us an email or comment here below!

Happy 2023!

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New Year’s Eve-Eve celebration!

Happy 2023! As the new year approaches, let’s take a moment to share some thoughts.

Life taught us not to take things for granted. And that alone we do nothing, but we need the contribution of others, whatever we do. Even more for our small scale experiment about fashion and lifestyle, out of the beaten path.

So we’ll never stop expressing gratitude and thanking you for your support. We are fortunate to have wonderful humans inspiring us. And we are grateful for the friends we have made over the years.

When we find something interesting, something we love, or that leaves us perplexed, we share it with you. And so we cultivate common ground, constructive ideas, embracing a culture of change. That is the beauty of our connection, which we want to improve throughout the new year.

Happy 2023


2023: New year’s resolution

For the year to come, we invite you to see things differently. Rather than confirming our beliefs, let’s try to challenge them. Observing things from different perspectives is a good exercise.

Perhaps it will help us be less self-centred, see other people more, and understand them. The world deserves something deeper, more careful, and a collective culture can help change for the better.
And, you know, we all play a part in this!

Thank you for reading and stay in touch!

Wishing you love! HAPPY 2023!

suite123 staff
Ro, Cri & Thami
❤️

Less is more

What the fashion industry refuses to see

Less is more – is not about deprivation but value, a more attentive choice. A concept that, together with buy less, buy better – brings about a new awakened attitude focused on meaning. And so, an evolved lifestyle that privileges quality rather than quantity.

For people like us, who lived the pandemic as an eye-opening event and an opportunity to change because we had the chance to realise what we did to the planet, going back is not a possibility.

A lost opportunity

People attracted to the spotlights, influencers and celebrities did not have a crumb of this thought during this fashion month.
But we did, you and us. Indeed we are disappointed by the latest fashion shows and the massive number of outfits made for the new Spring/Summer 23 season. And we are disappointed because the industry missed the opportunity to mark a real change.

Less is more is a shift that the fashion industry cannot face up for a matter of mere interest. Fashion is in the hands of finance, and finance is all about money.
Since we try to find better ways to inhabit the planet, therefore, how we live and consume, we question what we see. And we challenge the fashion system.

A less passive fruition of fashion

There are people bored by endless online catalogues or stores packed with items. It’s a niche driven by less passive fruition of fashion and product consumption in general.

If you are part of this niche, you refuse endless overconsumption as a lifestyle pattern. And you shift towards caring behaviour, so you want a thoughtful selection, fewer pieces made to last.

Less is more: evolved fashion #formodernhumans

Less is more creates space for new possibilities, a new approach that touches on our ethical, economic, and social views placing people and the planet first.
It’s a different way of living, a higher purpose. Something that we share and can drive change. Which, in the end, is something bigger than ourselves.

The fashion industry cannot grasp this opportunity, but we can.

The Asymmetric T-Shirt

Today we introduce The Asymmetric T-Shirt by Marc Le Bihan.

It is an iconic piece of clothing handcrafted in Marc Le Bihan Parisian atelier for a niche audience. In fact, that is what Marc Le Bihan does: couture fashion, garments you will wear for a lifetime because couture is forever. 

And once you wear it, you feel it. You see how it beautifully falls on your body. Indeed, it is an example of good design for people who want something different. It is modern and timeless at the same time. Also minimal but cool.

Discover The Asymmetric T-Shirt

About the design
This couture t-shirt has a side stitching that creates an asymmetric cut revealing a ruffled effect. The silhouette, spiralling around the body, is flattering and timeless. Round neckline. Long-sleeved with wide cuffs featuring a side hole to provide a glove effect. Raw cut hemline and detailing. 

About the material
100% cotton. Specifically, dyed by hand cotton. And the texture is ribbed and very soft. So it feels comfortable when you wear it. Really, you would never take it off!

The Asymmetric T-Shirt
The Symmetric T-Shirt
Marc Le Bihan

About the colour 
Aubergine: a rich purple hue that contributes to enhancing an understated luxury image. And you can match it with many other colours, from neutral tones to dark ones.

Laundry
Wash by hand – easy care.
You can wash this product by hand in cold water. 
Please wash it separately. Cool iron it on the reverse side.

Styling tips
The Asymmetric T-Shirt is stylish but easy to wear. Indeed, you can easily match it with your clothes. It enriches your jeans or black trousers. And try it under a blazer for your work wear outfits.

We ship everywhere!

We are based in Milano, but we ship our niche selection #formodernhumans everywhere.

Drop us an email or WhatsApp for any further information. Also, you can book your private shopping experience – physical or via video call. We’d love to help!