Winter Solstice 2022

Solstice

/ˈsɒlstɪs/

Latin for “solstitium”, which translates to "still sun". 

Solstices are a natural phenomenon that occurs twice a year, once during winter and the other during summer. The winter solstice is when the earth’s axial tilt is farthest from the Sun, resulting in the shortest day of the year, and the summer solstice is when it is closest, resulting in the longest.

During the winter solstice, the sun reaches its weakest phase, with the sun appearing to stop in the sky, the lack of light and heat gives the illusion that the world falls into darkness. The celebration of the solstice is the beginning of the new cycle, where we celebrate the return to life. The Winter solstice is also thought to be a great time for reflection as we celebrate new beginnings and new cycles.

Since the dawn of time, civilisations have celebrated the solstice. From the Ancient Roman celebrations of the Sol Invictusto to the Dongzhi festival in China, the Shab-E-Yalda in Iran and the rituals of the ancient Mayans, many cultures around the world have long celebrated the winter solstice. For Winter Solstice 2022, we take inspiration from the rituals that have taken place at Stonehenge. Stonehenge is an accent structure based in England that was carefully designed to align with the movements of the sun. The stones, which date back to about 2500 BC, were precisely arranged to capture the sun on the year’s shortest day. It is a place where people, past and present, gather to celebrate the passing of the shortest day of the year.

Celebrations past and present all contain one similar theme, which is the celebration of the return to light, the moment of stalemate before the rebirth of the sun.

At Alterist, the topic of rebirth is central to our ideology. We see upcycling as a tool to revive clothes, fabrics and materials, which in today's capitalist culture are considered "reached their end" and therefore discarded. 

Alterist offers an alternative vision where, rather than what is considered the end of life can be regenerated for a new life. The act of upcycling takes place precisely in that moment of transition, the moment in which, in December, when from the darkness, the sun is reborn. Like the solstice, Alterist works harmoniously with nature - it is circular, and it celebrates rebirth.

Every dawn brings a new beginning, each cycle a new life. 

CREDITS

Filming and Production
Nora Portacaballè, Carla Martins, Paula Baviera, ​​Giovanni Tedesco

Audio
Antonio Granieri

Voiceover
Kimberly Johnson

Crew
Ruby Lennox, Chantal Vaccarini, Alessandro Castrovinci, Lara Nardon, Ellie Martin, Charlie Beecham

Alterist Designers and Brands
Atelier Rcheuk, Cambrè, Emma Blythe, Eirinn Hayow, Karthur Nestt, Kurou Black, Maydebymay, Maxime Studio, Nina, Olli Hull, Supergood

Models
Kimberly Johnson, Emily Cooke, Sofia Palomeque, Phoebe Maiden, Philippe Medina, Caleb Sharpe, Eleni Primeraki, Cormac Kehoe, Romano Potestà

Poem
 “Winter Time” by Robert Louis Stevenson