Burning Man is a unique event that takes place every year in the Nevada desert, where thousands of people gather to create a temporary city of art, music, and self-expression. Burning Man is also known for its amazing fashion, where anything goes and creativity is encouraged. You might have seen some of the stunning outfits that Burners wear on the playa, but did you know that some of them have actually made a career out of their Burning Man style? That's right, in this article, I'm going to show you how some talented designers and entrepreneurs have turned their passion for Burning Man fashion into a successful business worth millions of dollars.
Burning Man fashion is not just about dressing up for a week-long party in the desert. It is also a way of expressing one's identity, values, and vision. According to the Burning Man Project, one of the 10 principles that guide the event is "Radical Self-expression",
which means that, Burning Man encourages the individual to discover, exercise and rely on his or her inner resources.
This principle is reflected in the diverse and innovative fashion choices that Burners make, ranging from colorful costumes, futuristic accessories, recycled materials, hand-dyed fabrics, and intricate details.
Burning Man fashion is also influenced by the harsh and unpredictable environment of the playa, where temperatures can fluctuate from scorching hot to freezing cold, dust storms can occur at any moment, and water and electricity are scarce. Therefore, Burners need to dress for comfort, durability, and functionality, as well as for aesthetics. Some of the common elements of Burning Man fashion include goggles, masks, hats, boots, layers, fur, feathers, and LED lights.
Burning Man fashion has evolved over the years, as the event has grown in size and popularity. In the early days of Burning Man, most of the fashion was DIY, as Burners made their own outfits from scratch or thrifted items. However, as the demand for Burning Man fashion increased, some Burners saw an opportunity to turn their hobby into a profession. They started creating their own brands, selling their products online or at pop-up shops, and catering to a niche market of Burners and non-Burnersa like.
There are many examples of Burning Man fashion brands that have achieved remarkable success, both in terms of revenue and recognition. Here are some of them:
Wild June:- Founded by Sarah Canner in 2015, Wild June is a Burning Man fashion brand that specializes in handmade, eco-friendly, and ethically sourced clothing and accessories. Sarah is a former dancer and choreographer who fell in love with Burning Man and its culture of radical self-expression. She started making her own costumes for the event, using recycled materials, hand-dyed fabrics, and intricate details. Her creations caught the attention of other Burners, who asked her to make custom pieces for them. Soon, she realized that there was a market for her Burning Man style, and she launched her online store, Wild June. Since then, she has expanded her product range to include dresses, tops, bottoms, jackets, vests, bodysuits, jumpsuits, swimwear, lingerie, jewelry, and more. She has also collaborated with other artists and brands, such as Cirque du Soleil, Electric Forest, and Burning Man itself. Wild June has been featured in several media outlets, such as Vogue, Elle, Cosmopolitan, and Forbes. According to Sarah, her mission is to "create clothing that empowers women to feel confident, beautiful, and free".
Furr Play:- Founded by Lila and David in 2016, Furr Play is a Burning Man fashion brand that specializes in faux fur coats, vests, hats, scarves, and accessories. Lila and David are a couple who met at Burning Man in 2014, and bonded over their love for fur and fashion. They decided to start their own brand, Furr Play, to offer high-quality, affordable, and cruelty-free fur products to the Burning Man community and beyond. They source their faux fur from ethical and sustainable suppliers, and they handcraft each piece in their studio in Los Angeles. They also donate a portion of their profits to animal welfare organizations, such as the Humane Society and PETA. Furr Play has been featured in several media outlets, such as The Huffington Post, LA Weekly, and EDM.com. According to Lila and David, their vision is to "spread joy, warmth, and love through fur" .
Third Eye Pinecones:- Founded by Carl Weiseth in 2012, Third Eye Pinecones is a Burning Man fashion brand that specializes in natural and organic jewelry, made from sustainably harvested pinecones. Carl is an artist and environmentalist who discovered the beauty and symbolism of pinecones while hiking in the forests of California. He realized that pinecones are the oldest and most widespread seed-bearing plants on Earth, and that they represent the pineal gland, also known as the third eye, which is associated with intuition, creativity, and enlightenment. He decided to create his own brand, Third Eye Pinecones, to share his passion for pinecones and their spiritual meaning with the world. He uses a patented process to slice, sand, and polish the pinecones, and then embeds them with crystals, metals, and other materials. He also plants a tree for every pendant sold, to support reforestation efforts and honor the source of his inspiration. Third Eye Pinecones has been featured in several media outlets, such as The New York Times, Rolling Stone, and Vice. According to Carl, his goal is to "create wearable art that connects people to nature and themselves" .
Burning Man fashion is not without its challenges and controversies. Some of the issues that Burning Man fashion brands face include:-
Commodification:- One of the 10 principles of Burning Man is "Decommodification", which means that "Burning Man seeks to create social environments that are unmediated by commercial sponsorships, transactions, or advertising" ¹. This principle is meant to preserve the authenticity and integrity of the Burning Man experience, and to prevent the exploitation and co-optation of its culture by corporate interests. However, some critics argue that Burning Man fashion brands violate this principle, by commodifying and profiting from the Burning Man aesthetic, and by promoting consumerism and materialism among Burners and non-Burners alike. Some examples of this criticism include the backlash against a high-fashion collection that featured representations of Burning Man art and symbols , and the debate over the appropriateness of selling Burning Man tickets on secondary markets .
Inclusion:- Another one of the 10 principles of Burning Man is "Radical Inclusion", which means that "anyone may be a part of Burning Man" ¹. This principle is meant to foster a sense of community and belonging among Burners, and to celebrate diversity and difference among people. However, some critics argue that Burning Man fashion brands exclude and alienate some Burners and non-Burners, by creating a hierarchy and a standard of beauty based on appearance, wealth, and status. Some examples of this criticism include the accusations of elitism and gentrification against some luxury camps and influencers at Burning Man , and the concerns over the lack of representation and accessibility of Burning Man fashion for people of color, plus-size people, and people with disabilities .
Despite these challenges, Burning Man fashion also offers many opportunities and benefits for Burners and non-Burners alike. Some of these include:
Creativity:- Burning Man fashion is a source of inspiration and innovation for many Burners and non-Burners, who use it as a way of expressing their individuality, personality, and vision. Burning Man fashion encourages people to experiment with different styles, colors, textures, and materials, and to create their own unique and original pieces. Burning Man fashion also stimulates the artistic and entrepreneurial spirit of many Burners and non-Burners, who use it as a platform to showcase their talents, skills, and passions, and to pursue their dreams and goals.
Community:- Burning Man fashion is a way of connecting and bonding with other Burners and non-Burners, who share a common interest and appreciation for Burning Man culture and values. Burning Man fashion fosters a sense of community and belonging among people, who support, encourage, and collaborate with each other. Burning Man fashion also creates a bridge between Burning Man and the rest of the world, by spreading the message and the spirit of Burning Man to a wider audience, and by inviting more people to join and participate in the Burning Man movement.
Consciousness:- Burning Man fashion is a way of raising awareness and consciousness about various social and environmental issues, such as sustainability, animal rights, human rights, and diversity. Burning Man fashion challenges people to think critically and creatively about the impact and the meaning of their fashion choices, and to make more informed and responsible decisions. Burning Man fashion also empowers people to take action and make a difference, by supporting causes and organizations that align with their values and beliefs, and by contributing to the positive change that they want to see int he world.
Conclusion
Burning Man fashion is more than just a trend or a fad. It is a phenomenon that reflects the essence and the evolution of Burning Man, as well as the aspirations.