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Tailoring vs mass products

27 May, 2023 / Leave a Comment

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

17 April, 2023 / Leave a Comment

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

12 April, 2023

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!

11 April, 2023 / Leave a Comment

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

10 April, 2023

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

10 April, 2023

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!

The High-Waisted Jeans

18 March, 2023

The Spring/Summer denim

Today we introduce The High-Waisted Jeans. Another item in light denim, by ZUCCa.

The aesthetic is timeless, and the hand of the material is soft and fresh, so you will love to wear these jeans during the Spring/ Summer season.
Our mantra #formodernhumans is: buy less, buy better. And so, treat your garments with care, and wear them as long as possible. However, some supporters of the sustainable industry would suggest you ask yourself: “will I wear it 30 times?” – before you purchase an item. But perhaps they are spoiled. If you buy a pair of jeans, you wear them for life!

Discover The High-Waisted Jeans

About the design
High rise denim pants made from 6 grams of light, thin denim material. It is a garment with elaborate details such as a tapered silhouette and a self-belt made of the same material.
Front pleats and zip closure. Two side slip pockets and two welt pockets on the back. Slightly cropped shape.

About the material
100% cotton, non-elastic. This product is processed to give it a unique texture. Specifically, this item is indigo dyed. Indigo dyeing has a natural texture, and you can enjoy the particular colour change as the colour fades by washing the garment.

The High-Waisted Jeans by ZUCCa
The High-Waisted Jeans
ZUCCa

About the colour
Bleached blue – to provide a light shade for the Spring/ Summer season. Also, it’s easy to match all the colours.

Laundry
Hand washable, easy-care. You can wash this item by hand at home. Wash separately.

Special care instructions
As the colour will fade, please avoid wearing these trousers with white items, prone to colour transfer. Also, be careful not to wash it with other garments.

These trousers are really versatile, the material is casual, but the design is unique and refined. Indeed they are perfect for multiple occasions. Try them with a t-shirt and a mannish blazer or a white shirt for an elegant image. Or with our coloured cotton sweaters for a more relaxed look.

The High-Waisted Jeans are the perfect piece to start the season in style.

Please, contact us for any further info!

The Furry Cardigan

17 March, 2023

Today we recommend – The Furry Cardigan by Plantation1982.
An extraordinary piece of design, perfectly curated in every single detail.

This cardi is a timeless and seasonless wardrobe staple. Very soft and comfortable to the touch, it is surprisingly lightweight.

Discover The Furry Cardigan

About the material
Nylon is the core yarn, and cotton brushed bouclé (a knitted fabric with a yarn loop on the surface) is wrapped around, covering the nylon. The soft and fluffy texture feels great on your skin, and we recommend it for those who have problems with the tingling sensation of wool. Also, this cotton knit cardigan can be easily cared for, and you can wear it every day. It is a seasonless piece, and even though it contains cotton, you can use it during the winter season. That is because the fuzzy finishing makes it warm.

About the design
The shawl-collar 3-button cardigan gently wraps around the back of the neck.
It is a whole garment and so, a non-sewn knit. It means that there are no shoulders or side seams. Therefore, thanks to this knitting technique, the garment has no tension, and it is very comfortable to wear. Also, a small percentage (5%) of polyurethane added to the yarn prevents it from losing its shape and provides a fit.

The Furry Cardigan by Plantation1982
The Furry Cardigan – Plantation1982

About the colour
The mood recalls the warmth of a cocoon. Light brown with an intense yellow tinge, it is a colour that makes you feel all the warmth of the knit.

Easy-care material. Machine washable.
This item can be hand-washed at home. We suggest laying it flat to dry.

The collar has a beautiful V-line, so you can enjoy coordination by layering high-necked inners and looking into colours and patterns. Extremely versatile, The Furry Cardigan is suitable for wearing in different combinations.

Good design, quality, timeless, seasonless, easy-care.
Style made to last. Buy less, buy better!

Entering the season: Fall/ Winter 21

14 March, 2023

Soon we will start introducing our selection for the coming season, Fall/ Winter 21.

We are going forward with a certain sense of slowness. The ‘Hurry-up’ attitude is part of the status quo, which none seems interested in questioning (but we do). In fact, from N.Y. to Paris and Milano, the bandwagon of fashion shows is starting again following the same stale rules.

However, keeping in mind our timeless approach, let’s go through the garments we have selected for you. For us, as well.

Fall/ Winter 21

First, the perfect pants. One wide-leg version, one straight-leg. Both in Supima cotton. The material has a shiny finishing that makes it look like silk. Moreover, a special treatment makes it warm too.

Then, we found a couple of basic knits in a striped jersey. There’s a boat-neck version and a turtle-neck. Slightly loose fit, they are the perfect complement to multiple outfits.

Of course, we couldn’t miss an asymmetric oversized pull in extra-fine wool. The worsted yarn makes the texture very soft.

Also, we’ll show you a cool cardigan designed as a whole garment. It means there are no shoulders or side seams, so it is very comfortable to wear.

As a more elegant piece, we picked a sleeveless v-neck boxy dress, under-knee length. Three fabrics with different textures are sewn together and then pleated. Unique!

A maxi collar blouson looks so stylish even when worn unbuttoned. And a cocoon sleeved maxi dress. The texture is dry and soft. There’s also a boxy sweater with a horizontal line at the body. It comes in soft lambswool.

Lastly, the sweatshirt is never too casual. We picked one with a zipped detail so you can wear it backside front too.

We thought we needed some colours to boost our mood. Therefore our palette goes from comforting tones to some bright hues.
Black, grey, off-white, camel, green, mustard, yellow, purple.

Please, check our Instagram account to see the new arrivals for the Fall/ Winter 21 season, and stay in touch with us.
We’d love to hear from you!

Awakening

14 March, 2023

Awakening means developing your consciousness – ethical and social – in order to become a better human.

Awakening is an intentional choice. Indeed, it is the act of opening our eyes and realizing what happens inside and around us. Once we understand the reality, the damage we have done to other people and our environment, awakening comes along.

Therefore, we become aware that doing without thinking about consequences or, in other words, acting without a long-term ethical vision is not a worthy choice.

Awakening takes our eyes to see, our brain to think and pay attention, freeing our conscience to emerge. For instance, we reach a higher level of consciousness by reading books, essays or newsletters. Following thoughtful leaders. Interacting and sharing ideas in a community. Perhaps we could list other ways, but honestly, meditation is not our field of knowledge.

Ultimately, awakening is free.
You can pay someone to turn on the light for you, but then the process is yours. And no one can do it for you.

How does it all connect to fashion? Believe us, it does. Fashion as a reflection of our society is part of a system based on exploitation. Part of the world is living at the expense of others and the planet.

The awakening’s result is that we are not satisfied with this system anymore. We cannot take it as it is. Therefore, we want to bring a change.

How do we do it?

We do it by offering you a thoughtful selection. By intentionally taking fewer items. What we really need. Unique pieces. By not adapting to fashion rules anymore but being active agents of change. By bringing in our own vision and values. More is not the answer. Instead, less but better and more ethical choices.

How do fashion brands do it?
Smaller productions – higher quality – shorter and adequately paid working chain. No sales but real balanced value. No modern slavery to serve fast fashion.

How do you do it?
Consume less. Choose wisely.