Story
With more than 10 years designing and producing luxury womenswear under the label, dIETERbENNET, and slowly becoming disillusioned with the constant churn of the fashion industry; I stepped away to reconnect with and explore the links between designer, material, technique and user. The result is Hewn.
Born in 2014 with functionality, longevity and honesty in mind, Hewn is a collection of gender-neutral minimalist carry goods designed and handcrafted in Chicago, USA. As a small independent design studio and manufacturer I am dedicated to the production of well crafted timeless design using consciously sourced quality materials. The items produced arise from design, materials, and construction research creating seasonless products that emphasize the user and their life.
Many of my beliefs run counter to mainstream industry thinking. “Fast fashion” is ubiquitous in our society and as a result clothing and accessories have become increasingly disposable and de-valued. It is cheaper to manufacture impermanence for a throw away culture than to create products made to last. This coupled with the increased pace with which fashion trends are created and pushed aside gives the industry market incentive to make products with a limited lifespan.
In response, I employ design elements with an expression of simplicity, lending a minimalist aesthetic which allows the products to remain viable as trends come and go. Using time honored and tested construction techniques of hand saddle stitching and high quality materials ensures that these items will retain value as they age and patina to reflect an individual user's life. -Dieter Kirkwood
In short HEWN explores avenues for a more authentic relationship between resources, maker and user.
*We are open to custom projects and collaborations, drop us a line.*
