Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Custom Service - Old Coats Turned OOAK Bags - part I

We are making progress in turning the leather jackets from the past decades into truly One Of A Kind bags of various shapes and sizes.

There has been a lot of cutting up, re-stitching, re-lining. We now have some of the "After" looks - complete new handbags, built from once unusable, ill-fitted coats, that despite their dated silhouettes, were still made of beautiful leather with some incredible details and finishes...

This project only proves, that leather is indeed timeless...





Jola V. Designs Custom Service:
Sarah bag + Soon-to-be -released tote
More images will come soon, and in this case, pictures really do speak a thousand words... 




Recognize the flap pockets on
the Tote on the left?...


Another large, beautiful tote, made from....

... this coat - can you recognize
 the pockets?

The new tags are making their way in...
All new Tomboy bracelets, made from
small leather cut-aways



















I love using men's jackets for Sarah bags - the masculine
detailing really complements my feminine pleats




If you have a leather coat, skirt, trousers or other quality item, that you no longer wear - consider re-using it for a new bag. Leather does not go out of fashion, while clothing designs and finishes have.


But it is not just leather clothing that we can re-make. Your upholstery pieces from an old chair/ couch or home decor will do great too. 







Also, this burlap purse, built of a recycled bulk coffee traders' bag and remnants of our deer-tanned leather, makes for a very trendy unique piece..

All details on our Custom Service are in this post.







Posted by Jolanta http://jolavdesigns.com

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Tuesday night inspo....

... It must be the rain this summer... and all 40 percent more of it than what seasonal average should be...

Amongst all the vintage jacket refurbs, new tag sewing, applying to art shows and hiring help, I am working on something completely new and different for me  that, if I am rally lucky, will materialize in the next Spring... I will announce this new project, alongside a few others as the year progresses...

This new idea challenges my skills, both as a designer and a maker, but, luckily the Summer this year is rainy enough to keep me focused and hash it out... Here are a few inspirational images I had been carrying in my mind for the past few weeks and months...

Cloudy days of the Coast..

Very cloudy days of the Coast


Oldie but goodie - pale sand, blue sky


Peaceful waterfall...


Changing textures

Life over rock

Bloom and water
The staircase....

When I look at these, I can almost hear the sounds and smell the scents. They all invoke memories and inspiration...
Image sources: google and myself.


Posted by Jolanta http://jolavdesigns.com