Tarot Back On The Cards
During the first year of the pandemic, toilet paper and canned sardines were not the only items flying off shelves. Tarot cards also reached a wider audience, with sales exceeding every clairvoyant’s predictions. No longer a mere fancy of spiritual belief, tarot reading has served to comfort many during the unsettled pandemic years. According to a popular tarot-card producer, U.S. Games Systems, sales first increased during the financial crash of 2008, they but really took off during the pandemic. No longer simply a form of divination, tarot is now seen as a lifestyle enhancer, aiming to help improve mental and physical wellness.
It’s generally accepted that tarot came out of Northern Italy in the 1400s, but wherever it originated, it now has a global following, including among fans of fashion and design.
Christian Dior was a firm believer in tarot. Apparently, he was incredibly superstitious and would not show a collection without a tarot reading beforehand. More recently, in 2016 Dior’s creative director, Maria Grazia Chiuri, cleverly incorporated tarot images into her signature tulle dress. She then created a Motherpeace-inspired design using the Death card. In an interview with Harper’s Bazaar, Grazia Chiuri said the historical roots of tarot are being redefined as a way to unite East and West through haute couture. Other fashion houses like Gucci, Fendi, and See By Chloé have also produced tarot-themed designs. Christian Louboutin recently unveiled a tarot capsule too.
