Is 'castlecore' the aesthetic of our techno-feudal future?
Why We Are Idealizing the Middle Ages.
The "castlecore" aesthetic, which evokes medieval elements like chainmail and stone architecture, is gaining traction in contemporary culture, influencing fashion, interior design, and more. This movement, also known as modern medievalism, merges historical details with current comforts, indicating a return to themes from the Middle Ages in a modern context. This trend has begun to manifest since 2018, when Zendaya dazzled at the Met Gala in an outfit inspired by Joan of Arc, but it is now evident across multiple platforms, such as TikTok and Instagram, where creators share tutorials on making chainmail garments.
Pinterest searches reflect this nostalgia for the medieval, showing a notable 110% increase in terms related to the medieval aesthetic. This platform has predicted that new generations, like Millennials and Gen Z, will draw inspiration from ancient castles for home design, while fashion will embrace gothic elements. The variety of the "castlecore" aesthetic is evident in the use of vintage tapestries and antique jewelry in interior decor, as well as in the adoption of medieval silhouettes and chainmail-adorned accessories in the fashion industry.
This revival is not only interesting from an aesthetic perspective, but it is also accompanied by a peculiar political context. The notion that we are entering an era of technofeudalism and neo-medievalism is becoming increasingly prevalent. In this sense, technofeudalism posits that large tech corporations have acquired power akin to that of feudal lords, while neo-medievalism describes a social and economic fragmentation reminiscent of past eras. This is reinforced by the critical perspective that we are evolving into a state that may exhibit more characteristics of feudalism than classical capitalism, leading to the search for medieval aesthetics as a form of escape from contemporary reality.
Kathy Pham, a creator who has explored the relationship between "castlecore" and contemporary politics, indicates that this interest in the medieval coincides with global decentralization and political tensions, which allows historical and aesthetic figures to regain significance in popular culture. It is observed that the growing attraction to the medieval may be a collective attempt to escape a reality marked by inequality and social polarization, enabling younger generations to find solace in historical fantasies.
Moreover, the rise of the "romantasy" genre in literature also reflects this trend, evidenced by a considerable increase in sales of science fiction and fantasy books. This aligns with the ongoing success of productions like Game of Thrones, which have integrated these medieval aesthetics into contemporary popular culture. As we find ourselves in a world where access to reality and material goods is diminished, the fascination with the Middle Ages seems to be more than just a passing trend; it reflects the uncertainty and volatility of our current environment.
Fashion and cultural trends do not exist in a vacuum; they are intimately connected to politics. Therefore, while "castlecore" may appear to be a fleeting trend, it can also be interpreted as a response to the current political and economic situation. The question arises as to whether the adoption of these aesthetics is merely an escape or an integral part of the reality we live in. As we dress ourselves in elements of the Middle Ages, it suggests that the way we express ourselves visually is inextricably linked to our socio-political context.