At The Top...
“It might just turn the world around for the better.”
2020 has already proven to be a remarkable year (can you believe it's only March?) and, should you find yourself spending a little more time at home this week, you'll be happy to know that this edition of the BRIEF is loaded with interesting links for your reading pleasure.
We know it's easy to feel overwhelmed by recent news, but it's important to remember that times of turmoil can also be moments when real change is possible. Trend forecaster Li Edelkoort thinks coronavirus may move us to slow our consumption and to consider how we can produce goods locally.
“We need to find new values—values of simple experience, of friendship,” she says. “It might just turn the world around for the better.”
In that spirit, we're dedicating this issue to someone who was working to make the world a little better and who passed away suddenly last week: Ayip Budiman was everyone's friend, full of warmth and creative energy. A tireless promoter of Balinese arts, Ayip gave his time to so many of Southeast Asia's design communities and collectives. Making connections between people takes real work, and his example is a reminder that generosity and openness are the key to growing a community of positive change.
Lauren experienced this kind of positive energy while reconnecting with designers, artisans, thinkers, and activists recently in Chiang Mai, Thailand and at TEXTO in Mexico City in February. As a reminder, we've created a free online message board where you can share your projects, ask questions, and connect with others who care about thoughtful, ethical design. And as always, we welcome you to reach out to us if you're interested in collaborating or need some help with your project.
Wishing you well, Justin and Lauren
New on THE KINDCRAFT
Festival Flora
The most delicate material in the world. Contributor Liat Gorodenzik attended this design-focused floral arts festival in Cordoba, Spain and, ahem, plucked 5 beauties for this report.
THE KINDCRAFT Advisory Services
Right now, Lauren is doing a design consulting project for a knit mill in Los Angeles which uses recycled and organic yarns. Other recent work includes: apparel design for a fashion brand, eCommerce and social media for an artisan textile label, and developing a pop-up event concept for an international trade organization. Tell us what you need help with and we'll get to work!
Sponsored Events
The Creative Entrepreneurs Summit
Are you a creative, designer, visual artist, and/or maker looking for an authentic way to launch and grow your brand? Join the Creative Entrepreneurs Summit on March 21st in Los Angeles, California! Meet experts who can help you explore and improve facets of your business from e-commerce to advertising. We believe that creatives can grow better by working together, so click here to see the full list of panelists and to reserve your spot! (SPECIAL CODE for readers of the BRIEF: 'Kindcraft10' gets you in with a 10% discount!)
Events — North America
We suggest you check these links close to the time of the event and/or bookmark 'Is It Cancelled Yet?' to keep track of events that have been scratched due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) — along with some other things like handshakes and Chris Matthews that have been incidentally cancelled. ;-)
- Anti_Fashion seminar in New York (NYC — April 9th and 10th)
- With Pleasure: Pattern and Decoration in American Art 1972–1985 • MOCA -- We'll definitely be making a visit to MoCA to see this one. (L.A .— Closes May 18th)
- Nigerian-born British designer Duro Olowu works at the crossroads of fashion, art, and culture. MCA's new 'Seeing Chicago' exhibition lets Olowu curate a show that reimagines relationships between artists and objects across time, media, and geography. (Chicago — Closes May 10)
- Neri Oxman: Material Ecology features seven major projects that the architect/designer/inventor created in the course of her 20-year career. (NYC – Closes May 25)
Events — Europe + MENA
Textile as Resistance
Refuge, resistance, hope, happiness, tradition, beauty, spirituality and decolonization. Textiles are - and have long been - a powerful medium for the expression of identity, especially in times of war and crisis. What messages and stories can fabrics share? (Antwerp — From March 21 through April 19)
Unbound: Visionary Women Collecting Textiles
Seven pioneering women who saw beyond the purely functional to reveal the extraordinary artistic, social and cultural importance of textiles.. (London — Closes April 19)
Style
Copenhagen Fashion Week Unveils Its “Radical” Plan To Become More Planet-Conscious
"By 2023, Copenhagen Fashion Week will ensure all its designers comply with 17 minimum standards, which includes using at least 50 per cent certified organic, upcycled or recycled textiles in all collections and using only sustainable packaging and zero-waste set designs for shows."
What does fashion’s top trend-spotter think we’ll be wearing in the 2020s?
"When Lidewij – or Li – Edelkoort started her career as a trend forecaster 45 years ago, people thought her job was “witchcraft”, she says. “Men would be giggling at the end of the room. But I have gained respect,” she says, “because I have been right so many times.”
The Year Ahead: Sustainability Takes Center Stage
Business of Fashion unpacks findings from its joint trend report with McKinsey & Company and, no surprise, notices an increase of consumer interest into how brands approach labor/environmental/social issues.
4 reasons to be hopeful about the notoriously wasteful fashion industry in 2020
Elizabeth Segran looks at some positive signs within the fashion sector, which accounts for more than 8% of all global climate impacts (more than all international airline flights and shipping trips combined).
The Problem With Sustainability Influencer Culture
"More and more people are hosting or talking on panel discussions, contributing to books or articles and seemingly aligning themselves with the sustainable fashion movement. However, when the same people are simultaneously filling their Instagram grid with tags and sponsorships from less-than-sustainable brands, it raises the question as to whether the popularity of the sustainability conversation is just being used for profit?"
Design
Luxury’s Hidden Indian Supply Chain
We're always happy to see the Times shine its spotlight on the sourcing practices of luxury brands, but these problems are hardly "hidden" — they're well-documented and, sadly, recur with regularity...
Marimekko’s iconic fabric will soon be made from wood pulp
I've been dreaming of clothes made from fabric you can compost instead of throw away. This partnership between Finland's Marimekko and Spinnova is making that dream a reality.
11 Women-Owned Companies Creating Real Change With Good Design
Let's support these women-led brands designing good things!
Is There Such a Thing as a “Design Activist”?
We like the idea that "designers have a moral and ethical imperative to lobby organizations and manufacturers, to avoid specifying certain products or brands, to educate clients, and to insert sustainable values into a project if they’re not already in the project brief."
Shoe Two-fer
A couple of articles about footwear we liked: 5 sustainable sneaker brands selling cool shoes at affordable prices and Elizabeth Cline answers your questions about how to recycle your worn-out shoes. (Okay, okay — Here's a bonus read about Nike's upcoming Space Hippie sustainable sneakers made from factory scraps and other recycled materials.)
Traditional Arts
子柒 Liziqi
This series of slow making/cooking videos from China is basically the perfect antidote to whatever is stressing you out (the beautiful photography and soft piano music totally seal the deal).
The future of Japan's master artisans
As the nation ages, the number of Japan's craftspeople is dwindling – but some members of the younger generation are picking up the torch in surprising ways. BBC looks at the future of Japan's master artisans and Gianfranco Chicco looks at what Japanese Craftsmanship traditions can teach modern makers.
Cyclo Knitter
Such a fun project!:
"It was winter and I was waiting for my train at the station. I thought: "How can I make this moment more enjoyable?" How can I turn waiting into something productive? I wanted to get them warm. Thus the exercise bike. And they should have fun and be rewarded [by] creating a scarf."
Sustainability + Labor
Planet Plastic
Rolling Stone's Tim Dickinson worked on this feature for six months. If you're looking for an article to share with people not already aware of the problem with plastics, I think it's one of the best overall explainers out there.
This Is How We Live Now
Some scientists say the best way to combat climate change is to talk about it among friends and family — to make private anxieties public concerns.
Scientists Fight Back Against Toxic ‘Forever’ Chemicals
The ubiquitous compounds known as PFAS are nearly indestructible. But scientists are learning to split their ultra-strong carbon-fluorine bonds.
If You Are Serious About Sustainability, Social Equity Can’t Be Just Another Add-On
Social impact was supposed to be central to sustainability from the start. What happened?
Fashion’s impact on the environment is actually a mystery
Alden Wicker for Vox:
"It’s clear that before we do anything else — demand legislation, invent new textiles, set targets — we need to figure out what research we need, then ask the government and big brands to fund it."
Wrapping Up / Looking Ahead
Thanks for Reading (and Don't Forget to Wash Your Hands!) :-)
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