Everything you need to know about Slow Design
Slow down, force yourself to go less quickly in your work, life, consumption rhythm... We have all been affected by this obligation to put a stop to our lives in 2020, due to the pandemic. A trend that has been underway for several years now.
Indeed, a certain desire to consume less and better had already appeared in various areas : dressing, eating, housing in a different way, breaking the pace of frantic consumption that has prevailed since the 1990s... These new principles of consumption have emerged over the last twenty years, and have become increasingly popular with consumers. A new trend called slow design, which responded to new aspirations in all areas.
What is slow design? ?
It’s hard to talk about slow design without looking in the rearview mirror… Back to the 1990s, and the fast design trend, popularized by multinationals like Ikea and H&M.
Fast design, which appeared in the field of decoration, was only a decline in a craze already seen in the textile industry. Because fashion had already set the tone, with collections being renewed more and more quickly, and wardrobes that saw new clothes parade through their doors non-stop. The idea of fast fashion, then fast design, was to produce more, faster, more often and always cheaper. Driven by formidable marketing and very attractive prices, the brands that have embarked on this approach have accustomed us to renewing our wardrobe or our decoration as often as possible.
Carried away by this wave of affordable prices often associated with questionable quality, the consumer has become accustomed to consuming disposable products. A study by the McKinsey firm revealed the following result : " On average, a person buys 60% more clothes and keeps them half as much as 15 years ago ".
But some have quickly noticed that these concepts of fast fashion and fast design are in reality, most often, just cheap fashion with a significant impact on our carbon footprint.
As early as 2002, Alastair Fuad-Luke, professor of design at the University of Bozen-Bolzano in Italy, began to introduce the notion of slow design. Presenting himself today as an activist, his approach already had the aim of make us think about our overconsumption habits The academic wanted to motivate his fellow designers to manufacture in a sustainable and eco-responsible way, to primarily meet the needs of individuals while respecting the environment.
Today, the injunction still has all its meaning... According to the Ministry of Ecological Transition, " The amount of waste from furniture elements (WEE) has increased significantly over the last thirty years, due to changes in lifestyle and consumption habits, but also to the limited lifespan of cheap products ".
This movement did not only focus on design and fashion. In kitchen , the idea of slow food was already present since the 80s, with a concept of food celebrating biodiversity and traditions. This search for slow food was reinforced at the beginning of the 21 e century with an even more proactive approach, encouraging consumers to change their eating habits, take the time to cook and enjoy the pleasures of the table. A concept that is the opposite of fast food.
The key points of slow design or the values of slow design
The key points of slow design tend towards a common goal : consume better, less and in an eco-responsible way.
To achieve this goal, companies wishing to distribute items in line with the slow design approach have tried to adapt their production, distribution or communication system. Committed to sustainable development, they aim to respect values in line with ethical production. By offering creations linked to nature, they insist on the place that consumers must occupy in it, but also highlight artisanal work. In general, we find, in the style of manufacturers who follow slow design, five essential steps:
- The use of recycled materials to manufacture their items, or even resort to upcycling which allows them to create at a lower cost,
- A desire to reduce or even eliminate the use of plastic in packaging, to only sell products in eco-designed and recyclable packaging,
- A promotion of artisanal creations, to put know-how and traditions back at the heart of production, and to favour reduced rather than industrial quantities,
- Simple styling and structure , allowing easy manufacturing of parts and giving them a long service life, to preserve resources and the environment,
- An object with a timeless design, not subject to fashions, but focused on user needs.
If your decorating ideas are guided by similar concepts for the equipment of your home, you can say that you are in the slow movement. !
Discover our lighting and accessories
Slow design in your home
A light and natural layout
On the home decor side, adopting the slow concept will motivate you to rethink your interior, by also sorting out your needs and therefore your equipment. You will quickly adopt the theory of less is more and this minimalism will bring you more comfort and serenity.
Concretely, being inspired by slow design means For example :
- Choose natural materials for your bed linen, your carpet, fall for an electric wire woven in natural linen material from France Hoopzï which will give character and a more refined charm to your decor. Whether in your bedroom or your living room, natural elements have their place everywhere !
- Move tables, chairs, and other furniture to allow natural light to flood your living room . Make the choice of suspension lights quality with a wooden or wicker suspension to improve your lighting.
- Only equip yourself with furniture and decoration that you need , keep the essentials to refocus on yourself and live in a more peaceful atmosphere.
Opting for this style of decoration means choosing a refined interior that does not stifle your bedroom, kitchen or living room, and feeling a sense of freedom in your home. Live in a relaxing and slow atmosphere !
Slow design materials
Choose ecological and natural elements but also those from recycling , such as raw wood, linen, wool, wicker, but also marble and copper. Noble materials that will allow you to feel close to nature.
The slow design trend is ecological, natural materials have a key place in it, those from recycling are also welcome in this movement since they respect the environment.
Hoopzï , a company involved in the slow design movement, has thus chosen to create a range of lampshades in biomaterials which allows oyster waste to be recycled by opting for a timeless design. Also find our natural material suspensions to decorate your interior ! A pretty wooden lampshade suspended from a linen-woven electrical wire will be a perfect match for a decoration with a slow deco concept.
The colors of slow design
Although this trend can be seen in all styles, it encourages us to choose furniture and decorative accessories characterized by their simplicity and low environmental impact.
To follow the trend to the end, It is advisable not to mix too many colours in your interior, in order to preserve a neutrality which will guarantee harmony and softness. For decorative elements that fit easily into your interior, choose neutral and pastel colors.
Off-white, khaki, beige, but also pale brick or pink shades, are the big winning shades ! They create a soft and soothing harmony for your slow decoration.
Hoopzï and slow design
Since its creation, the Hoopzï brand has been part of the slow deco movement, with a timeless design, which favors the manufacture of sustainable and non-disposable products.
Hoopzï, supplier lighting for professionals and individuals, avoids plastic throughout its production chain. Thus, since 2019, our brand of pendant lights has eliminated plastic packaging in favor of eco-designed kraft packaging.
We have also decided for several years to demonstrate our commitment to a sustainable approach by offering a 10-year guarantee on all products. Buying Hoopzï means buying a sustainable consumer good.
In 2022, Hoopzï has continued to commit to manufacturing in line with slow design values by deciding to weave its range of electrical fabric wire with French linen. Flax, unlike cotton, does not require irrigation or phytosanitary products. The flax that covers Hoopzï electrical wires comes exclusively from France and benefits from 100% European flax certification.
2022 also marks the birth of the first designer object made from oyster biomaterials, a lampshade to dress your lights in an original way and in tune with nature.
Finally, we must not forget that the Hoopzï range of pendant lights allows a large number of craftsmen, artists and upcycling enthusiasts to design their own lights.
Slow living, this change of pace that says no to overconsumption, still has many ways of invading our lives.Travel, cooking, work, what kind of slow consumer will you be? ?
The Hoopzi Team.
