Wabi, Sabi, Ibi

Wabi-sabi is the view or thought of finding beauty in every aspect of imperfection in nature. It is about the aesthetic of things in existence, that are “imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete” Wikipedia.

Now, we're not trying to be cynical here, but this concept pretty much sums up our wardrobe choices on those rushed Monday mornings. But of course, that's not why you're here. Let's take a closer look at what this popular lifestyle term truly means to us.

Despite the fact that nature doesn’t make mistakes (note to self to amend the Wikipedia article), we all witness its touch of genius in its daily beauty. And in Ibiza, where the density and abundance of nature's blessings reach stratospheric levels, it can be quite intimidating to try and add more beauty. Ego, you say? Yes, that's correct, but then the blog post ends here and we still have some keywords to plug. So please bear with us as we dive deeper and further optimize our Google SEO rankings.

Probably first coined and brought to the western design hemisphere by Belgium’s finest Axel Vervoordt it has become ubiquitous ever since. It's quite remarkable how a specific Japanese aesthetic concept aligns so well with the current prevailing preferences, especially in Ibiza. On an island where boho-chic and barefoot-luxury reign supreme over black tie affairs, wabi-sabi has become the all-encompassing design mantra du jour.

Returning to the definition, the term wabi-sabi is, in itself, a paradox, as it seems to have evolved into a marketable lifestyle rather than an objet-trouvé. By its very essence, this aesthetic would exclude anything intentionally designed, composed, or finished. In that case, we would all be living in ruins or shelters. Quid non.

Like an unkept-kept wardrobe, with natural beach hair, no make-up and a touch of #nofilter, its beauty lies in finding the delicate balance between over- and under- designed, between making deliberate choices and letting things be, between choosing to care and choosing to let go.

So, the next time you find yourself in a barefoot-chic, swanky beach bar, ordering your farm-to-table €28 hamburgers or when your contractor tries to sell you their clumsily executed plastering in your renovated Finca as "rustic-chic," just take a deep breath, let it sink in, and consider it your wabi-sabi tax.

Congratulations, you are now part of the elite.

Credits: Midjourney AI - Prompted by Studio Go