From Guangdong to New Mexico, craft-focused brands are shaping fashion’s future
As labels like Bode, Diotima, Kinyan Lam and Josh Tafoya show, some of fashion’s most original voices are rooted in centuries-old traditions
Heritage crafts have always formed a core part of the luxury brand story, with legacy houses leveraging their traditional skills, techniques and exceptional workmanship to set them apart from the rest. As it becomes one of the industry’s most valuable currencies, emerging brands are following in kind by embracing traditional crafts as a way to differentiate themselves while appealing to the tastes of the modern consumer.
Take American label Bode, one of the first of this new generation of craft-focused brands, which was founded by International Woolmark Prize winner Emily Adams Bode Aujla. A favourite with collectors and fashion lovers, its handmade garments are crafted from upcycled antique textiles and historical fabrics, creating not only modern pieces but a narrative that is rich and compelling.
