We Don’t Create for the Algorithm: Why we are Stepping Back from Social Media Culture

On reclaiming Intention and Slowing Down in a Hyper-Consumerist World. Because the Algorithm Doesn’t Understand Intention — But Our Clients Do. 

For years, social media was a lifeline for small, independent brands like mine. It allowed a quiet voice from a small atelier in Barcelona to reach women across the world — women looking not just for lingerie, but for pieces created with care, with intention, with soul. It was a digital gallery of sorts, filled with inspiration, creativity, and self-expression. But somewhere along the way, something changed.

The shift wasn’t sudden, but it’s undeniable. What once felt like a community, even a sanctuary of artistic exchange, now resembles more of a loud, frantic marketplace. Social media has become a machine — one that rewards quantity over quality, speed over depth, and algorithms over artistry. I recently had a heartfelt conversation with my dear friend Annabelle, founder of By.Ihuoma, who shares my feelings about this shift, and it inspired me to write this honest piece and voice my thoughts. 

Losing Touch with Intention

At HERVÉ by Céline Marie, our values are rooted in doing things with care. We craft each piece slowly and intentionally, paying attention to the details that make something beautiful — not just to the eye, but to the soul. But the fast-paced, attention-seeking world of social media doesn't align with that message anymore. The pressure to churn out content “just to stay relevant” started to feel suffocating. The joy of sharing became a chore. I was no longer creating out of inspiration, but out of fear — fear of becoming invisible. And that’s not even touching on the daily shadow bans I face simply for sharing my art. This isn't just about me. I’ve watched countless brands — some that once championed mindfulness, sustainability, and authenticity — succumb to the pressure. They pivoted, chasing numbers, diluting their message in the process. And I get it, the system is rigged to reward those who conform. 

But at what cost?

The Rise of Consumerist Culture: Rejecting the Race for Relevance

The commodification of self-expression is no accident. Social media platforms are designed to encourage endless consumption, not mindful engagement. A 2023 report by Harvard Business Review noted that “attention is now the scarcest — and most monetizable — resource.” We’re no longer invited to connect with content, we’re trained to scroll, like, and forget. And in that cycle, even the most meaningful message can lose its depth.

There’s a kind of emotional and creative burnout that comes from performing online, especially when you're trying to uphold values that don’t fit the mold. As an artist, as a businesswoman, and as a human being, I don’t want to compete for likes. I don’t want to create out of scarcity. I want to build something slowly and lovingly. At the heart of HERVÉ has always been my mission to create with intention — to understand each client deeply, and to craft lingerie that not only fits their body, but reflects their unique essence. That kind of care takes time, and I refuse to rush it for the sake of fleeting visibility.

A Call for Difference, Not Uniformity

The real beauty lies in our differences. There is space for all of us — every voice, every approach, every aesthetic. Yet the current landscape pushes creators to conform to trends, to replicate success formulas, to become interchangeable. But I truly believe that the right customers — those who resonate with what HERVÉ by Céline Marie truly stands for — will find us. Not because we screamed the loudest, but because we stayed honest. There’s immense power in stepping back and asking, Why am I doing this? For me, the answer has always been the same: to create something meaningful, sensual, and soulful. I didn’t start HERVÉ to win a numbers game. I started it to offer a piece of wearable intimacy — a quiet rebellion against fast fashion, fast lives, and fast clicks. 

Finding New Paths Forward: Join Our Community 

As the digital space continues to evolve, I’m exploring new ways of reaching the right people — those who seek connection over consumption, and who understand that beauty often takes time. As Lao Tzu wrote in the Tao Te Ching, “Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished” — a truth I return to often. It’s easy to lose perspective when you’re too close to the noise; sometimes, stepping back is the only way to return to your own truth.  I'm not entirely abandoning social media, but I am redefining how I show up there — and why.

If you’ve felt similarly disillusioned, I want you to know you’re not alone. This isn’t a rejection of growth or visibility. It’s a reimagining of what those things can look like when rooted in integrity. My belief remains unshaken: the right clients will find HERVÉ by Céline Marie. Not because we played the algorithm’s game better, but because we chose a different game entirely that is aligned with who we are and what we stand for. 

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