Tarot Back On The Cards
How tarot cards have moved from occult to cult trend.
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.
