THE JOURNAL

When it first emerged back in 2020, the craftcore trend – a resurgence in the popularity of handmade, small-batch clothing – was seen as a response to the social, political and economical uncertainty triggered by a global pandemic. Back then, we wrote of “a generation defying our digital age by reconnecting with the slowness of making”. But if the pandemic is now a thing of the past, craftcore has shown no signs of slacking off.
While it might have been triggered by global uncertainty, craftcore isn’t actually about what’s going on in the outside world. It’s about the clothes. An artisanal approach to garment design that champions traditional techniques such as crochet knitting, hand painting and stitching, it appeals to our sense of touch and to the humanness of getting dressed. And brands such as BODE, KAPITAL and Story Mfg. (all part of Bohemian Spirit, the third chapter of our Summer Stories campaign) are its modern proponents. Here, we’ve picked 20 of our favourite pieces.
01.
The divine KAPITAL jeans

02.
The starry Story Mfg. jacket

Be the star of the show with Story Mfg.’s jacket. In keeping with the brand’s ethically conscious production processes, it’s patchworked from fabric swatches and offcuts leftover from the label’s previous collections.
03.
The sunny Karu Research shorts

Karu Research works with skilled artisans across India to create its coveted, craft-centric pieces. Inspired by traditional Kantha quilts, these shorts – designed exclusively for MR PORTER – are hand-appliquéd with small mirror discs encircled by sunny embroidery patterns.
04.
The Monitaly DIY jacket

Monitaly’s jacket has the same homespun appeal as many of the brand’s impeccably crafted pieces. Designed to sit somewhere in between smart and casual, it’s patchworked from cotton swatches in bold shades – an easy way to inject a touch of colour into your summer fits.
05.
The Kardo crafty shirt

06.
The 11.11/eleven eleven tie-dye shorts

Japanese brand 11.11/eleven eleven works closely with artisans in India to preserve centuries-old artisanal techniques. These shorts, for instance, are cut from cotton that's naturally dyed using shibori, a hand resist-dyeing technique that allows colours and patterns to spread unevenly across the fabric.
07.
The casual Mr P. shirt

Mr P. shirt has an off-duty feel to it, but it’s refined enough to be dressed up with tailored trousers and loafers. The breathable loose-stitch crochet knit makes it ideal for balmy summer days while adding a subtle element of texture.
08.
The essential LOEWE tote bag

Prepping for a day at the beach? Consider LOEWE’s tote bag, part of the Spanish luxury brand’s annual collaboration with the legendary Ibiza boutique, Paula’s. It’s spacious enough to hold your sunglasses, SPF and a beach towel.
09.
The SAINT LAURENT leather sandals

Judging by the pictures, Mr Adolphe Jean-Marie Mouron, the mid-century artist and typographer better known as Cassandre, wasn’t necessarily the target market for these sandals, which bear his name – not to mention the SAINT LAURENT logo that he designed. He appeared to be more a suit-and-tie man. Maybe on vacation? Although we’d like to think he’d appreciate his iconic monogram, used as the centrepiece of this Italian-made leather T-bar.
10.
The fruity BODE woven shorts

In summer, shorts are something of a free hit. No matter how conservatively you dress the rest of the year, the relatively small real estate of material on show, plus the hot weather, makes this item the ideal place to experiment. Throw caution to the wind, which should only enhance the sense of ventilation. And BODE’s wide-leg linen shorts certainly do all that. The zingy fruit bowl motif even counts towards your five a day. Possibly.
11.
The handmade Alanui cotton hoodie

If you started watching Mr Peter Jackson’s entire Lord Of The Rings trilogy at the exact moment that an Italian craftsperson began weaving this magnificent Alanui cotton hoodie, then you would be well on the way to the multiple endings of The Return Of The King before your garment was ready. Which is to say that, even before we get to the extended editions, those films are very, very long. But also a lot of care, consideration and time is poured into this piece.
12.
The retro Jacque Marie Mage sunglasses

The Dealan from Jacques Marie Mage pays homage to the cat-eyed sunglasses worn by Mr Bob Dylan during the mid-1960s, the most iconic phase of his career. Black frames are the classic choice, but don’t skip the tortoiseshell if you’re looking for a point of difference.
13.
The gold beaded PATTARAPHAN bracelet

Beaded bracelets are one of the easiest ways of imparting a relaxed, off-duty air to your outfit. This one, in 14-karat gold and malachite, is a particularly elegant example, and comes courtesy of Bangkok-born jewellery designer Ms Pattaraphan Salirathavibhaga.
14.
The hip Sydney Evan necklace

Looking for a designer that combines the hippieish appeal of charm bracelets with the sophistication of fine jewellery? Look no further than Sydney Evan. The diamond-encrusted charms adorning this beaded necklace take the shape of smiley faces, mushrooms and cannabis leaves. Make of them what you will.
15.
The everyday Yuketen sandals

In the footwear business since 1989, Yuketen is known for its hand-crafted leather, which is sourced from independent artisans in Italy and the US. The brand uses traditional craftsmanship methods, ensuring that its designs – such as this pair – are durable and long-lasting. These snug, 1970s-inspired patchwork-printed mules will bring a subtle pop to any outfit.
16.
The Elder Statesman’s must-have knit

Finely weaved in an arts-and-crafts facility in downtown LA, this stripy 100 per cent cashmere sweater by The Elder Statesman is the cosiest and most fun staple that you can wear all year around. Pair with a pair of jorts and sandals on a breezy summer night, or with wide-legged pants and loafers for the autumn.
17.
The free-spirited CELINE HOMME hoodie

CELINE HOMME designed this this pink-hued “Ave 51 Sky” graphic print in collaboration with LA-based contemporary artist Ms Alyss Estay. The helicopter and the palm trees are an homage to the artist’s free-spirited home, which also holds a special place in Mr Hedi Slimane’s heart (you can see Californian motifs across his work). Size up for an LA-style looser fit.
18.
The jazzy CELINE HOMME aloha shirt

Transforming the aloha shirt into something that one might describe as cool – or even achingly cool – was never going to be an easy feat. But trust Hedi Slimane to pull it off. The result: this convertible-collar short-sleeve number that has somehow given palm trees – and dad duds – a contemporary rock’n’roll edge that we never saw coming.
19.
The bold visvim sneakers

We won’t insult your intelligence by labelling these visvim plimsoll-style sneakers as “essentials” or “must-haves” – they’re made from a leopard-print cotton corduroy, after all. But if your tastes are unashamedly out there, and you’re a sucker for Japanese streetwear, then what on Earth are you waiting for?
20.
The statement Marni swim shorts

Thought fashion had reached peak collab? Not yet. This season, Marni has upped the stakes by teaming up with No Vacancy Inn – a multi-disciplinary creative collective that includes Supreme’s Mr Tremaine Emory – resulting in these Italian-made look-at-me swim shorts in a painterly retro print.