Today, the concept of luxury is undergoing a significant transformation. It is no longer just a status symbol tied to ephemeral consumption, but an opportunity to rediscover sustainability and durability. Increasingly, fashion brands are implementing repair policies to give new life to damaged garments, responding to a growing demand for environmental responsibility.  

Pierre-Alexis Dumas, artistic director of Hermès, stated, “Luxury is what you can repair,” emphasizing the importance of durability and maintenance in the concept of luxury. This mindset has been amplified by the pandemic, which has pushed consumers towards more conscious and responsible consumption.  

Repair is no longer seen as a marginal service but as a central element in brand communication, becoming a symbol of value and sustainability. This new repair ethic, already pursued by brands like Brunello Cucinelli, Patagonia, and Levi’s, reflects a growing desire to buy less and better, investing in items that can last through generations. In this view, every mend or repair becomes a fascinating scar, symbolizing the personal bond that develops with an object. For historic brands like Barbour and Tricker’s, this practice is certainly not new: the British royal family is known for sending their iconic garments for repair, preferring to revive memories rather than replace the old with the new. 

From this perspective, luxury consumers become not just customers but true “guardians” of the brand, sharing a vision of beauty that asserts itself over time and enriches itself with personal stories. 

Kintsugi: the art of making repair visible 

Kintsugi (金継ぎ), or kintsukuroi (金繕い), literally meaning “to repair with gold,” is a Japanese restoration technique developed in the late 1400s by potters specializing in creating tea ceremony cups, Cha no yu. This practice not only repairs damaged objects but also celebrates imperfections and scars, transforming fractures into unique aesthetic elements. In the current context of luxury and sustainability, kintsugi aligns perfectly with the philosophy of repair, where every sign of wear becomes a testament to the life and history of an object. Instead of hiding defects, this art highlights them, reminding us that beauty can arise from lived experiences. 

Tikkun olam: repairing the world 

The concept of Tikkun Olam, a Hebrew term meaning “repair the world,” embodies deep symbolism related to trapped light, a central theme in Kabbalistic mystical tradition. According to this view, during the creation process, God emanated a pure and powerful divine light. To allow this light to coexist with the material world, it was “trapped” within vessels (or “kelim”). Unfortunately, many of these vessels proved fragile and broke, scattering divine light throughout the world. The human task, therefore, becomes to repair these vessels and recover the scattered light, restoring balance and harmony. Every act of kindness, repair, and care towards others and the world is a fundamental step toward this collective healing. In this context, repair goes beyond the mere physical dimension; it is also spiritual and relational.  

Every time we choose to repair rather than throw away, we actively contribute to rebuilding the world and recovering the lost light. 

In the novel “BEE SEASON,” the protagonist confronts her vulnerabilities and personal “fragments,” discovering that the path of repair is essential for her inner growth. This journey reveals itself as a manifestation of love and responsibility, a way to reassemble the parts of a fractured world. 

Repair also emerges as a powerful theme in cinema. In “ATONEMENT,” the story follows the consequences of an impulsive act that causes an irreparable rift in a relationship, but also highlights the desire to atone and repair the damage, reflecting on the power of forgiveness. “LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE” shows how an imperfect family faces challenges and conflicts, but through their shared journey, they find the strength to come together and support each other, highlighting the beauty of relational repair. In “HUGO CABRET,” repair becomes a profound inner journey for young Hugo, an orphan living among the shadows of a Parisian train station. His quest to repair an automaton left to him by his father symbolizes a greater desire: to rebuild the bond with his identity and past. This process of adjustment is not just mechanical; it represents a path of healing and discovery.