MOOD

Personalization is a huge trend plugging forward that stemmed from the DIY phenomenon. It affects everything that we do, from computers and electronics to personal space and what we wear. This is happening because we live in a marketplace that is so overcrowded, we need things to speak directly to us. DIY is the answer because it takes any product that is typically mass produced, and makes it personal and unique. We’re even seeing a return to old-school hobbies, like knitting geared towards 20-somethings. Just check out how popular MySpace personality Knitta Please has gotten. Knitta Please is a tag crew of knitters that place half-knitted (knit graffiti) items around city monuments and utility poles. And if you think it’s just for small towns, think again. Knit New York on 14th Street in Manhattan takes knitting to the streets. DIY books are also on the rise – a featured favorite is Stitch N Bitch Crochet: The Happy Hooker. And of course all these new knitters are tapped into today’s culture by providing gadget solutions, such as knit iPod monsters. Naturally, this trend also takes to the web, with several DIY swapping or selling sites. Most popular though are the infamous MySpace and YouTube that allows viewers to broadcast themselves, mostly in the music industry. Amie Street allows users to vote by downloaded songs and actually pays artists. Trig.com is a community for musicians, actors, models that also actively involves fans by implementing a rating system. And for kids, Nickelodeon has created ME:TV, which has hosts that show off stuff viewers create, like videos, mash-ups and original music. Favoritethingz.com taps into the theory that you’d take a recommendation from your friends before anyone else, so allows users to create lists and share them. And finally, tapping into Second Life, avatars like WeeMees and Zwinkys are custom cartoonish characters in cyber world based on your real-life self.

INFLUENCE

Naturally, any craft-related DIY project leads itself into fashion. Websites like Etsy and Threadless.com are all about promoting craft hobbyists and selling their products. Anyone could join and in some cases there are contests that even further promote independent designers. Generation T is another website, that allows you to resuscitate and reclaim old T-shirts with crafty DIY projects. In hard copy, Venuzine leads the way with instructions to make more complicated projects, like making your own bathing suit, a bit easier. Built by Wendy is a NYC-based designer that has her own mens and womens lines and has also published Simplicity Patterns and Sew U books that encourage DIY. And don't forget about Second Life! Swedish design giant H&M has teamed with the Sims to create a custom experience where avatar could actually purchase Second Life versions of real-life H&M clothes. LA cult retailer Kitson has also adopted certain styles for the Second Life crowd. Another take on DIY? Even if you’re a mass-produced line, how about crafty DIY-inspired looks? One of our favorites is a young contemporary line called Scrapbook that combines vintage-looking pieces with updated details. Designer duo Heatherette is all about this type of aesthetic as well. And for the real trendsetters out there, any sort of hands-on approach to involve customers as spotlight designers is a sure-fire way to get attention and increase your bottom line!