The year in Custom....

One of the things, that started in the just by-gone 2012, was our Custom Service. Since Spring we received a substantial number of vintage, old, damaged, outdated leather coats, skirts and other random pieces, even a few fur outerwear articles, to re-make into custom OOAK handbags.

Pre-made leather items make for a very different work process, than plain hides, due to their varied characteristics, existing features and surface treatment. Every pre-made item poses a new creative challenge.

Our designs transformed along with the source items, and became unique blends of both, carrying over the best features and qualities of the source item, adapted to our wearable build.

Here are some of the highlights amongst our Custom Service creations:

Some of you wished to slightly modify our existing designs to better suit your needs.

Telia with a cross-body strap

Telia with a cross-body strap and hardware

Vintage coats are incredibly adaptive - the softness of garment leather works great for tassels, folds and other detailing. It was an exciting exploration to work with them.

The Starter, made of a vintage coat

Kerry, made of a vintage coat, featuring unique front pocket

Some of you gave us your old leather or fur items, just out of the kindness of the heart - like this wonderful coat, that was handed over in October. Parts of it were integrated into a one-of-a-kind design for the coats former owner: a shorter strap shoulder purse with upholstery leather and recycled fur.

Satchel, Harness Brown and Fur

This particular design challenged me to figure out some new ways to construct, close and seal a bag, which I would not have learned otherwise. Building after someone else's design is a great learning experience.

Satchel, Harness Brown and Fur

Satchel, Harness Brown and Fur

Some of you went for our designs without any changes --

Telia, Harness Brown

Vintage coats host some great built-in features, that can become a focal point of the design. This large tote will be released shortly, as a part of our upcoming collection, and this is a recycled version of it made right in the outset of the Custom Service.

Tote (Marife) in black vintage coat

Some of you brought your old gifts - to be re-made into new gifts, in a form of a handbag. This beautiful vintage skirt has been repurposed as a slightly altered Virga bag, from our Pre-Fall Coming Of Age 2010 collection...

... and there was a bunch more....

To learn more about our Custom Service, pls check out this post.
We will continue to re-use and recycle the old and rescued jackets into the new year...

Posted by Jolanta http://jolavdesigns.com

Custom Service in a nutshell

We will make our big announcement of the new Custom Service in our newsletter later today. Here is a summary of how it works...

We are mainly looking to re-use the old leather jackets, lingering for many years inside your closet. The outdated ones, the ones that no longer fit, the damaged ones - anything could be re-worked.

Same goes for fur coats - although fur requires simpler design.

You can choose our existing bag design to re-work your jacket into, or you can  describe/ sketch your own.

Your bag will feature unique details - e.g pockets, pleats and zipper details. Most jackets have great factory details, that should be carried over to your Custom bag. You can also choose your own shade of hardware from our stock.




Once you've decided on what design you'd like your bag to be, send us the coat, and an e-mail with details: info@jolavdesigns.com with subject line "Custom Service" . 

All designs will be assessed to the compatibility with your leather and the jacket size. Stiff luggage cannot be made of lambskin, and a small jacket will not do for an over-sized purse. Some additional hardware may need to be purchased, based on your ideas...

We will send you an estimate and, if applicable, - suggestions/ changes, etc.

Out of an average coat will get:
1. Your truly OOAK Custom Bag; 

2. A Pouch to go with it; 3. A bracelet or another small accessory

We will ship your Custom goodies back to you for FREE! 

Some other recycled jacket designs:

Purple jacket Butterfly Clutch

Telia, recycled fur

Sarah and Iolanthe

Iolanthe

Posted by Jolanta http://jolavdesigns.com

Introducing - Jola V. Designs Custom...

During our three years in business we have been building custom stuff for our friends and customers. We made bags of our design and theirs, altered sizes, changed details, stiffened shells and softened straps.

Re-using a leather jacket is a great way to give new purpose for a piece you already have, but no longer wear. You would also same some cash on raw materials - as you already have the leather, possibly zipper too, etc...

If you have a jacket - men's or women's, old or kind of old, torn, discoloured - anything - but are not quite ready to get rid of it (cos its leather!) - drop us a line. Perhaps we could build a bag that you will love and wear again. Our design or yours - the design will have to be assessed based on the characteristics of your leather, and the size of the coat.

Below are the "Befores" - the pictures of the designer, adorned in some seriously 80's and 90's leathers and an odd fur coat... Check back in a few weeks for the "Afters"...

Lime green ultrasuede

Beige - can almost button it up!

Fur - wears me well... but the sleeves are 2.5/4 unfortunately

Ultra poofy - will fit two of me in one jacket!

The sleeves are cut for petite... man

Now, that's a power shoulder! - but its Lambskin!!!

Lordco Autoparts... 

Bomber - but it came in an amazing grey shade...

More bombers - amazing unfinished Calf skin... 

Details can be fab!..

Yep, those were the times.... 

So - there.... If you have a gem from the by-gone eras hiding in your closet, re-use it! Contact us, as we'll chat!

Posted by Jolanta http://jolavdesigns.com