Opian | Why do I keep promoting older patterns? |

Since 2016, I've been developing sewing patterns and kits with a simple idea: a good design shouldn't become obsolete after just one season.

So I regularly continue to promote older patterns from the collection. Not because there's a lack of new designs (even though they take an extremely long time at Opian!), but because a garment changes dramatically depending on the fabrics, colours, and combinations you choose. I create the pattern based on my thoughts and desires, and then you make it your own. Each of your versions shows a different way of seeing the garment than what you can achieve starting from the same base. I'm always pleasantly surprised to see the results with ideas I wouldn't have thought of. Indeed, a pattern isn't set in stone. Choosing a technical fabric for a structured cut can become romantic in a printed viscose.

Over time, our tastes can change and evolve. Some patterns that didn't initially appeal to us can become exactly the garment we need today. Our sewing desires only partially keep pace with fashion. Many people, in fact, discover older designs long after their release.

Sewing has a slower pace than fashion, and especially fast fashion. We don't necessarily sew a garment the weekend after its release. Some projects linger in the back of our minds for months, even years. Some patterns also require more skill or self-confidence. We come back to them after gaining experience, with a different perspective and often better finishing.

Continuing to showcase older designs also means rejecting the idea that only the new deserves attention. Today, the world operates on constant renewal where collections appear and disappear one after another. I don't want to work that way with Opian, even if I could.

An independent pattern maker represents a tremendous amount of work: research, design, prototyping, grading, instructions, marketing, photography… especially since I do everything myself… in both French AND English! All of this is necessary to create a garment that can last much longer than just one season.

This approach is also part of a broader reflection on how we consume clothing and materials. Excessive and disposable consumption is not a concept I wish to promote at Opian. On the contrary, I try to encourage:

• Understanding the work behind each garment

• Valuing existing materials rather than new production

• Collaborating with local artists for exclusive designs

• Preserving the art of sewing

• Slowing down to create a garment that is desired, designed, and tailored to oneself

I also find it interesting to see how patterns interact with each other over time. The release of a new design can inspire a re-examination of an older one. A collection is built gradually, with connections that sometimes only become apparent years later.

Ultimately, promoting vintage patterns simply means recognising that a well-designed garment deserves a long lifespan and can continue to evolve with the people who sew it.

I therefore invite you to discover or rediscover the Opian sewing pattern collection.