Collector Culture
The fulfillment of collecting *the* thing, in an empty age when everyone can click-to-buy anything.
What is Collector Culture?
“Collectors curate objects and ideas that tell unique stories, inviting others to explore unfamiliar styles or rediscover forgotten ones. This pursuit of individuality drives a deeper connection to personal style, encouraging a culture where dressing becomes a form of self-expression rather than conformity.”
-Nadine, co-founder, BLL
It began with a question about Fall Trends…
I asked the BLL team what fashion trends they were excited about for Fall, and one answer was striking, from our brand strategist
(who is also a sustainable fashion advocate and the fabulous creator of @wastenotwantnotstyle). She said:The word “trend” feels flat, empty. For me, the most inspiring ideas seem to come from individuals with a strong sense of self. And often their style is radically different from my own. Their clothing just happens to be an extension of themselves, and they focus on the exploration of that self through their personal style.
Rather than a specific trend, Christian is more inspired by individuals and their personal style- people like Jenny Walton , the Milan-based creator who has a penchant for vintage Prada (among other things!) or Angelina Nagarnova of @justwhatyouknow
This led to a conversation with Christian around her growing love of collector culture. She shared:
[Angelina Nagarnova’s] entire IG showcases her move away from fast fashion to focus on collecting and styling archival Margiela, Comme de Garçons, and more. Watching her collect these avant-garde pieces is both exciting and inspiring both for the viewer and the creator! But the outcome of her collecting seems to have one additional benefit... helping her to develop and express her personal style in a way that is more distinctly her own! And then I read this...
“One’s personal collection is a vehicle through which the [collector’s] brand identity is communicated and reinforced,” writes Tulika Bahadur in The Psychology of Collecting, “[as well as] a haven of emotional attachment and intellectual stimulation for the collector.”
Mind blown!
So what is Christian collecting? She kindly shared a few of her recent scores (you’ll have to go to her substack for the full story!)
Time to Call the Collector-in-Chief
Intrigued, I consulted our co-founder Nadine Steklenski, an ardent, longtime collector who can be found on many weekends hitting up estate sales, on this idea of collecting and here’s what she shared.
Artists, designers, creatives, and curators have used the art of collecting as a form of self-expression, creative experimentation, and world-building for generations. But why is it a formidable skill to have now more than ever? As Peter Kafka from Vox put it, “The AI content ‘tsunami of bullshit’ has arrived.”
In an age flooded with artificial content, the ability to connect seemingly disparate categories and disciplines to communicate a distinct aesthetic vision remains uniquely human. Experiencing someone else’s “objects of desire” can be exhilarating—the feeling is akin to peering through a keyhole, catching a glimpse of the life unfolding within a person’s home.
Collecting influences the way I dress, the spaces I live in, and the creative work I produce. I love being surrounded by my collections while working—they provide opportunities for discovery, threads to pull, and the occasional distraction when needed. Recently, while developing a creative concept for a media company, I struggled to find inspiration for a long-running, beloved character. I took a break and browsed through some of my 1980s ephemera, stumbling upon a niche doll of the character we were bringing to life. It represented a forgotten moment yet told a story relevant to today. Huzzah!! My collecting is validated and the cycle of gathering objects continues.
I asked Nadine to provide an example of one of her collections, which takes us (of course!) to the iconic Betty Boop.
Why Collecting Matters (and why you can be one, too)
Historically, fashion collectors were thought of as a rarefied group.. rich and famous who kept their couture in warehouses and whose collections ended up at Christie’s. You know, people like Andre Leon Talley or Daphne Guinness. It’s far more democratic today- anyone with a browser can start their own personal treasure hunt thanks to live auction sites, influencers like Jenny Walton, or well-executed secondhand sites like The Real Real.
Collecting is also good for you. Seriously… there’s a real satisfaction in collecting. Both Nadine and Christian quoted Dr. Shirley M. Mueller who wrote in her book The Mind of a Collector
“Collecting is more than a hobby. Research finds that collector characteristics correlate with higher, more potentially fulfilling life satisfaction traits. Especially those who collect without aim for profit, or those who actually use what they collect.”
We would say that the modern collector plays a pivotal role in influencing today’s shopping patterns. As people move away from dressing to fit fleeting trends, they seek inspiration from more niche, untapped, and authentic sources.
Did you enjoy this post? Please share with your friends! And let us know what you’re collecting.
Reading this I think of myself collecting Laurel Burch jewelry since 1970’s. Now I still look for “vintage “ Laurel Burch on Etsy and EBay! Hi Nadine and Noria!