This so resonated with me as someone who also has collector tendencies but also strongly believes that clothes are meant to be worn. I also appreciated how brave it was to admit to yourself that a brand you had aligned your identity so closely with may not feel like you anymore.
If you cannot tell anyone about it, would you still do it/wear it/buy it?
Our modern society has become so much about proving and performing… I think we will regret spending too much time proving and performing when we give our last exhale..
I would say that’s it’s now entirely performative. The cult of ‘old Céline’ was created by the internet and is now fueled by a micro-industry that profits from it. Its meaning and significance seem to go far beyond just beautiful clothes. What was a relative ‘niche’ interest is now mainstream and over commodified. Despite mass critical acclaim, Phoebe’s clothes were never big sellers and you would find them on sale at discounted malls and websites. (The bags and shoes sold well) She curiously became a more valuable asset the minute she left the brand, unlike Slimane’s tenure which was far more commercially successful. I was told that her new collection is selling well but I’m already seeing pieces from her previous drops on sale. The increase in prices of Céline clothes are completely artificial and driven by the resellers. All you see now is overpriced items in tiny sizes. In a couple of years I can assure you that the resale market will change. But
I can’t help but think if her new found cult status is a blessing or a curse for her as a designer.
I do think however that the term ‘collector’ is now heavily overused. When does buying many clothes become a hobby or simply a means of justifying buying more clothes? We are all guilty of this. Curiously in my experience the people that I consider to be big collectors (
those who have been doing this for decades) of designer or vintage clothing are all mostly men and do not really post about it on social media.
But on a basic level, clothing is meant to be fun. If something becomes a burden then you know that’s it is time to move on. Don’t overthink it. Enjoy the process of (re) discovery.
This is such a beautiful, thoughtful and insightful letter here. A letter to yourself, past — present — future. Thank you for sharing and bravo for honouring your truest self.
Thank you so much for sharing Veronika. I’m at that crossroad too and perhaps a bit afraid of verbalising it. Still thinking about how best to formularise it and your piece certainly helps.
This so resonated with me as someone who also has collector tendencies but also strongly believes that clothes are meant to be worn. I also appreciated how brave it was to admit to yourself that a brand you had aligned your identity so closely with may not feel like you anymore.
Thank you so much, Christine, and I'm glad I'm not alone in this! :)
Great read. "Identity changes" really hits. We are not the same person we were 1, 5, 10 years ago and everything and everyone is always evolving!
Thanks so so much, Sofia! <3
I have this question in my mind, always:
If you cannot tell anyone about it, would you still do it/wear it/buy it?
Our modern society has become so much about proving and performing… I think we will regret spending too much time proving and performing when we give our last exhale..
This usually is a great filter!
I would say that’s it’s now entirely performative. The cult of ‘old Céline’ was created by the internet and is now fueled by a micro-industry that profits from it. Its meaning and significance seem to go far beyond just beautiful clothes. What was a relative ‘niche’ interest is now mainstream and over commodified. Despite mass critical acclaim, Phoebe’s clothes were never big sellers and you would find them on sale at discounted malls and websites. (The bags and shoes sold well) She curiously became a more valuable asset the minute she left the brand, unlike Slimane’s tenure which was far more commercially successful. I was told that her new collection is selling well but I’m already seeing pieces from her previous drops on sale. The increase in prices of Céline clothes are completely artificial and driven by the resellers. All you see now is overpriced items in tiny sizes. In a couple of years I can assure you that the resale market will change. But
I can’t help but think if her new found cult status is a blessing or a curse for her as a designer.
I do think however that the term ‘collector’ is now heavily overused. When does buying many clothes become a hobby or simply a means of justifying buying more clothes? We are all guilty of this. Curiously in my experience the people that I consider to be big collectors (
those who have been doing this for decades) of designer or vintage clothing are all mostly men and do not really post about it on social media.
But on a basic level, clothing is meant to be fun. If something becomes a burden then you know that’s it is time to move on. Don’t overthink it. Enjoy the process of (re) discovery.
This is such a beautiful, thoughtful and insightful letter here. A letter to yourself, past — present — future. Thank you for sharing and bravo for honouring your truest self.
Thank you so much, Ardas! <3
Thank you so much for sharing Veronika. I’m at that crossroad too and perhaps a bit afraid of verbalising it. Still thinking about how best to formularise it and your piece certainly helps.