Consumerism

3 articles

A diverse group of people on a street, all dressed in similar global fashion, with faint outlines of unique regional styles fading in the background.

Global fashion trends are erasing unique US regional styles

In 2023, the 'coastal grandmother' aesthetic, a TikTok sensation, swept through major US department stores, outselling all combined traditional regional fashion categories—think 'Southwestern chic' or

Charlotte Beaumont·September 9, 2026

Skilled artisan's hands shaping a ceramic bowl in a bustling, authentic marketplace, emphasizing genuine craftsmanship over mass production.

Goods & Finds

How to Identify Authentic Artisanal Goods

At many popular tourist markets, 'artisanal' goods are often mass-produced imitations, not genuine local crafts, according to indigenous research.

Elijah Vance·June 19, 2026

A skilled artisan working in a warm, inviting workshop contrasted with a cold, impersonal factory floor producing mass-produced goods.

Goods & Finds

What Is the Artisan Illusion and Why Authenticity Matters?

Terms like 'artisan' and 'heritage' are now routinely slapped on mass-produced items by large corporations, making it harder than ever to find genuine local craftsmanship.

Elijah Vance·May 19, 2026