Are you an individual?
As much as you might think this might enter into a political rant; and as much as politics likes to think it owns every aspect of our lives, we’re not going to allow politics to claim Individualism as its own. We think the term has been highjacked, stolen to help identify subsections of society whilst being jumbled in with negative connotations. Just because you like to feel like an individual does not make you a bad person, or a narcissist.
“there are those who still confuse individualism with selfishness” – Albert Camus
In fact, we believe the term should not be conjoined with politics. It simply existed way before such work as Aristotle's Politiká. From our perspective, your very existence as a single biological entity makes you individual, not one of us are the same. Even genetically identical siblings display differences in personality based on their experience of the world.
So, what is Individualism?
Individualism is the principle of being self-reliant, independent or a theory favouring freedom of action for individuals. Indeed, ethical individualism calls for the values of personal freedom and personal accountability through individual decision making and individual accountability. Whilst, psychological individualism not only is healthy for the individual person but has its roots in a worldview based on freedom and choice, rather than static social roles or intimidating authoritarianism.
“The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself” - Rudyard Kipling
Many of us have grown up with the perception of choice and with-it options to allow us to connect with our innate individuality. Remember, if you walk in the footprints of others, you won’t make any of your own. Now, we’re not saying immediately braid a ponytail beard (although some of those are looking dam fine) or indeed decide to get a full-face tattoo. But if you did, that’s your choice as an individual, and we certainly wouldn’t see it as some sort of extremism or social terrorism.
We’re not suggesting Individualism equals anti-conformist. Indeed, there is a subsection of anti-conformists who will deliberately do the opposite to the perceived norm, which we’ve never really understood. For us, that is not being an individual. Individualism is about just making your own choice and being true to yourself.
“I'd rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not.” -Kurt Cobain
“Taste” is very much individual, and this can be seen in the myriad of options available to us across industries. For example, with food, some people list Curry as one of their favourite things in the world, but some equally detest it. Similarly, some people think pineapple on a pizza is a crime, no doubt Justin Trudeau will be making it one in Canada soon! Opps.
When it comes to fashion, Individualism is synonymous. Without individualistic schema, creativity would not exist. Paradoxically there is the ambition to stay on trend whilst still displaying uniqueness -the balance of which, if found, will find you on point.
“What you wear is very much a form of self-expression”, as Mark Jacobs said, this might hint “about who you are in what you wear”. We believe some of us just like to feel a little bit different. So, choose a style and look that you favour, but one that hat tips to your individuality.
“Don’t think you are, know you are”. Morphius
We’re not asking you to conform to the Wolf & Baller Brand, far from it. To paraphrase Yves Saint Laurent: what is important… is who is wearing it. By just being yourself, you’ll retain your individuality and in wearing W&B you’ll look better whilst doing it.
Wolf and Baller – Distinctively you!