The Huffington Post points out that the idea of luxury has deflated and independent designers have business that is booming among consumers tired of the ol’ branded shtick.
This is exactly why I began Chic Steals two and a half years ago: to examine the idea of “value” of clothing, brands, and labels – and to deconstruct the idea of “luxury.” I want to teach people to try their hand at making their own fashionable items – to demonstrate that value is conceptual, and instilled in an object when one takes the time to create it oneself. It’s amazing how much you value something, crooked seams and all, when you’ve slaved over it, day after day, or researched how to do a certain process in the making of it. YOU become invested in your creation – and though the cost at the register may be insignificant, the emotional and skillful investment you’ve made into your piece is immeasurable. One of my core beliefs is this:
It’s a fleeting idea, created in the minds of consumers chiefly for the purpose of constructing a demand for expensive items manufactured by large brands. Your handmade item becomes a luxury item to you – something whose value is not necessarily determined by the quality of the materials or the extensive skill of the craftsperson or the social cache of the label, but made so by the hours labored upon it and your emotional investment in it.
I’ve noticed as of late, with the economy sluggish, clothing retailers closing, brands going out of business, and sample sale sites abounding – the idea of luxury is being taken apart, brick by brick. Consumers are getting smarter. We want to see behind the curtain of the brand – to see why something is priced the way it is, to see where our money goes when we pay at the cash register.
DIY is a movement to get you involved in the creation and/or personalization process – to have you invest a little bit of yourself so as to better grasp the concepts of value and the principles of design. It gives you skills and makes you a smarter shopper in the long run. Even if it doesn’t appeal to you as a long-term hobby or an experience you’d like to repeat – you now know how much it cost you to buy the tools and materials to make the item in question – and how long it took you. This can help you calculate what’s a good deal and what isn’t when it comes to buying something similar at retail.
And, a wonderful side effect of DIY is that you appreciate the process – and can rationalize better the retail price of clothing and accessories made by indie designers and upcoming brands. (A constant question I got from customers when I was selling my line is “Why does it cost this much?” This is a common question independent designers receive from a consumer base used to Forever 21 and H&M prices. People have no idea what is involved in the manufacturing of clothing and the costs that go on behind the scenes, especially when you’re dealing with small, limited runs.) By encouraging everyone to try making their own fashion items, you educate and inform – which makes to easier to rationalize purchasing items from younger, growing brands, rather than from overpriced luxury brands.
What do you think? What has making or DIY’ing your own pieces taught you? Are you still swayed by a Louis Vuitton bag, a Juicy Couture tracksuit, a Gucci belt just because of the name and cost attached to them?
xoxox
Carly
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Thanks for the interesting post!
I sew and create a lot of my own wardrobe so I do appreciate how much time and effort goes into the production of each item. That's why when I do buy something ready made, like say, a bag, I believe in saving up and buying from ethical manufacturers (such as Gucci) when I can afford them, because their bags are made by craftsmen who are getting paid enough to go home and feed their families each night, and not by children in China getting paid 20c per item.
But,as you know,every girls lets a little 'squeeee!' out when she finds a Chanel skirt or LV's bag in a thriftstore 🙂
Great post! I love DIY because it allows me to be unique and put my own spin on the clothes I already have.
A lot goes into making clothes and accessories, that is something that I understand well, but I have never really been attracted to brands, especially the expensive ones. Designer names mean nothing to me, I appreciate more things that are handmade or made by myself and don't care for high end brands such as Vuitton, Gucci, Prada, Guess, etc. there are some cheap brands out there that are excelent and I care about stuff that makes me look good and comfortable – not a name -.
It is a very interesting article and I am glad that people are looking more into feeling and looking comfortable, and DIY'ing their own stuff rather than buying a name because it is 'high end' and expensive. I think everything has the value or meaning that WE give it, and for me high end clothing, accessories, etc, have the same value as something made by myself, or something that has been handmade by other people 🙂
Because I sew, I care more for quality materials and workmanship than I do for brand names. I'm not willing to pay money for crap products (even if the price is right, it's still crap). I'd rather pay a little more and get something that will last.
I think the idea of 'luxury brands' is nonsense. I do believe in quality though, and you don't need a big name to provide quality.
DIYing my own clothes and accessories has changed the way I view “lux” brands. When I see a knitted, croched or faux DIY “lux” brand item offered for $500+ I think “why would I pay so much for something that I could make myself and love even more because I did it myself.”
I agree with the person above who said that he/she believed in quality, but you don't need a big (read: expensive) name to provide quality.