One of Scheler’s great complaints about commercial civilisation is that its vampiric quality (V&R Chapter 5) rids societies of eccentrics. Adam Smith’s spectator does prompt a degree of conformity, as does the all important role of brand logos in luxury fashion. How refreshing then is this story: https://www.bbc.com/news/av/uk-england-sussex-48757020/the-brighton-tailor-whose-identity-became-his-business. After the story, Zach Pinsent thanked…
Commercial Civilization, Apollonian or Dionysian?
Universities: The Future of Policing?
Ratio et Motus is a Chinese company making a limited range of luxury, craft handbags (https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/fashion-beauty/article/3014849/why-chinese-designers-behind-ratio-et-motus-dont-want-make). The conceit of the design is geometry and passion combined: ““The brand name translates to ‘reason and emotion’ because our aesthetic is about trying to find a balance. While our designs are different, they have to make sense…
These doctors certainly mean to try (https://fashionista.com/2019/06/psychodermatology-mental-health-skin-care). The skin care business is a vast one in the West, and a vast, vast one in China, and other Asian countries. It has even attracted the attention of the CIA (https://www.lawliberty.org/2016/11/28/beauty-and-the-beast/). Psychodermatology is an intensification of the blending already offered by the industries devoted to…
Craft and veneration: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKBTtVTT3qA&feature=youtu.be See V&R Chapter 5 for the ethical reasoning that affirms the moral standing of a company like Freed. Some excellent stills here of the crafts people: https://www.itsnicethat.com/articles/freed-of-london-ballet-shoe-factory-east-london-hackney-documentary
Over the last few days, I’ve read some articles with good and bad moral news for the fashion industry. For example, young Chinese consumers of luxury care less about the artisanal background to a product and more about the sales experience (https://jingdaily.com/chinese-millennials-the-future-of-luxury-brand-experience/). Sales can be carefully and beautifully wrought, and all to the good, but…
Adam Smith thinks of fashion as enchantment, so, too, Lacan. Early modern philosophy, iconically dating to Descartes, is a watershed in European consciousness. Before then, gods and demons prevailed, after, everything is only matter in motion. You and I, our dogs and cats, that’s what we are. Many philosophers reacted negatively to this new…
This is a really interesting insight into high stakes football (https://www.thisisanfield.com/2019/06/the-surprise-influence-benfica-b-had-on-liverpools-champions-league-final-success/). The glory and money rewards for winning the Champions League are enormous. Football inspired fashion is a major part of fashion revenues and mostly especially for clubs. I’ve spoken about PSG as a self-conscious fashion venture (https://www.ethicsoffashion.com/psg-football-club-as-fashion/). Liverpool are not, but their recent…
A trend amongst collectors of sneakers is a turn to furniture (https://fashionista.com/2019/05/menswear-streetwear-rare-home-furniture). One seller observes: “As sneakers become more complex and conceptual I think guys are starting to notice details in other things and wanting to elevate their spaces as well.” Pure Hume. The economy is driven by the refinement of the arts…