Fast fashion is everywhere - cheap, quick, disposable. But more and more people are realizing that this way of consuming is not sustainable for our planet, our cultures, or even our personal style. That’s where slow design comes in.
Credits: SOMA Jewellery
Slow design is about taking time: time to make, time to wear, time to connect. It’s about objects that last, that have meaning, that are rooted in a story. For emerging designers, slow design means respecting materials, valuing heritage, and creating pieces that are not only beautiful today but also tomorrow.
The future of slow design will likely bring hybrid practices: blending technology with tradition, local craft with global storytelling, minimal production with maximum creativity. Imagine a scarf hand-woven in a traditional workshop, but sold globally through a small online platform. Or jewellery crafted with recycled materials, yet inspired by centuries-old symbols.
Credits: Alexander McQueen Savage Beauty The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 1999
For us at HAY-HAY, the future of slow design is about community. Designers, artists, and customers working together to shape a fashion system that values meaning over speed. And honestly, doesn’t that sound like a future worth investing in?