Fall Winter 2014 “Ahto” Collection reveal

With the Fall season beautifully setting in here, in the Pacific North West, it is time to show off our full Fall/ Winter 2014 Ahto Collection.

Collection marks 8 years since the designer Jolanta Va, arrived in Canada and eventually decided to settle (title “Ahto”, means Middle Dutch for Eight).

It portrays Bohemia, Returning to Basics, through humble, timeless shapes and minimalist aesthetics, representing renewal and clean slate. The designer re-imagined simplicity through a vagabond’s perspective, inspired by her quest to find a place she belongs.

Ahto features a selection of 5 new handbag styles, built of leather, including BC grown/ tanned bison and elk, giving it a Canadian edge; as well as recycled vintage garment and upholstery.

Here are the designs:

Pouchey - a slouchy bucket cross-body, which converts to a tote;

Festivalette - a small, sleek cross-body or waist bag;

Dreamer - Lightweight cross-body or shoulder bag with our signature pleat detail. Mostly OOAK.

Bastra - large, cushion shaped cross-body, built from BC sourced and tanned Bison leather.

Bastra Tote - large Bison leather tote, that switches to a cross-body. Limited run piece.

here we are - all 5 new designs. These, and our Permanent styles, along with those from the previous collections, are now online at the Webshop.

Our posts are transitioning to the new location of the Jola V. Blog.

Posted by Jolanta http://jolavdesigns.com

Our (lively) Instagram feed

Ever since we started working with a new wholesale agency, we MUST discipline our work to adhere to their selling schedules, where Fall collections are re-presented in Spring, and the Spring collections hit the tradeshow floors in late Summer.

So, now, before our FW'14 is even released, we are probing ideas for... SS'15.
Yes, another Spring collection for this not-particularly-springy line..

Some early explorations of Bison leather for SS'15 are on our Instagram feed, http://instagram.com/jolavdesigns

New and simple

Making large cuts

New zipper satchel

Posted by Jolanta http://jolavdesigns.com

Early press for FW'14 - West Coast Style

West Coast Style is the first venue to feature a sneak-peek of our upcoming FW'14 Collection -- but, in the concept of the Spring season! 

In this interview with the Fashion Capsule agency, you will see a fab local apparel trend re-cap, and three looks from yours truly: Featherlight worn as a small clutch and two not-yet-released designs... Thanks, Sarah, and Fashion Capsule team.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XtwdHfR0KqM&list=UUI_OxTLUSnEMSU6mLnBBntg

http://jolavdesigns.com

Mood leathers: Select Rescued Upholstery

With the season gradually ramping up, to keep production interesting, each day we choose what to build based on mood and feeling. 

Unfinished shells of a few newbies

Select Rescued Upholstery is specialty leather found in odd lots, remnants and other rescues. All random colours and finishes. It has been our core source material since the very first season, because of its different properties and characteristics. I find it very educational to work with such a varied range of materials, as one hide is never like another, needing different kind of attention, and skill every time. 

The result is different each time, and that is what keeps things exciting.

our F/W2014 Collection will launch mid-Spring.


Posted by Jolanta http://jolavdesigns.com

And, now its 2014!

We're re-emerging from what was a long silence!

A large scale event was added to our what seemed to a be well-planned and anticipated Holiday season, and the entire team had to suddenly shift gears to accommodate. But we did  not give up our plans to create and build a brand new booth display, start rolling out new products little-by-little, and preserve energy at doing all that...

Well, the last goal was dropped - but it was the only one. Now, here we are in 2014, ready for new challenges and excitement.

JVD had a great Holiday show tour in Vancouver and Edmonton; had an early release of a few upcoming designs (the full new Collection is scheduled for this Fall - very thrilled!); joined a Vancouver based sales agency for independent and sustainable labels, and kicked off the first sale of the year (check out Tiny Sale).

Here is our fantastic looking booth display, first unveiled at Circle Craft art show in Vancouver.

Some of the new designs lined up at the front. More to come.

Posted by Jolanta http://jolavdesigns.com

Tiny steps towards the new Collection...

Great summer in Vancouver, partaking in a few events, shows, and even organizing a few in the Spring and Summer, slowed down the process of building an upcoming new Collection.

Even today, although, the blueprints and sketches are laid out in front of me at my desk, the Collection is very much a work in progress, balancing a few different directions of inspiration, different materials I am currently coveting, and trying to edit and boil all those ideas down to the most necessary.

I do not believe a collection of accessories needs to be generated every season, especially, if we’re talking handbags. It should rather reflect a flow of inspiration, a result of trials and research, whether it is searching the outside world, or within.

I so far have eight close to the heart designs (in progress), that may land a spot in the upcoming Collection. I will do some crude edits and re-draws to tie them into a cohesive mix. Then there is a whole other pack of ideas for small accessories we always carried alongside the handbags. There were very different factors at work shaping this bunch of designs, and for that reason alone, streamlining will be crucial.

Strap

One strong force was me trying to create pathways to bring more mixed reclaimed materials to our handbags, as well as new custom shapes and prints. I was sketching for both – leather and other raw-materials, from canvas to recycled fur. Then, there was a drive to simplify the existing shapes, remove the complications and grey areas from all new patterns. In addition, I realized I had expectations set by my customers and retailers, to maintain a recognizable look, with key features, they came to appreciate over the first few years; features, that would immediately say, JVD. And, then, there was my own, pure, inspiration behind some of the new bags-to- be: the country looks, the unique reclaimed materials, some lifestyle elements (we do want to hit the outdoor show and festival scene next year), the intimacy of our detail work.

All that is hard to boil down, as these features are not only different; they are very valuable for any Collection. Maybe, I even have more than one “collection” sketched up on this desk, waiting for the right time to take shape. We are not sure at this time, when the full new range will be released – while the early prototypes will begin surfacing during the Holiday season this year, a good estimate for the new  release may be Pre-Fall 2014.

Shell in construction

 

 Posted by Jolanta http://jolavdesigns.com

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

2011 in pictures

2011 was a year of big changes...  If up till last February, I was trying to squeeze my design work into all my evenings, weekends and lunch breaks from my day-job,  starting early last year I managed to win some time for my growing business....  From February of 2011 I cut back to half time at my day-job, and never looked back...

Here is the year 2011 in pictures...

February - beginning to job-share.
Even though the year started with a burn-out, cutting back on the day-job time changed how work and feel...

Outside the window - rainy Vancouver  sunset

March - new products follow shortly! 

QtBeach canvas totes

Emma bag

Make It Vancouver Spring

 ... and were launched to buyers at the Spring shows. My first ever vegan, washable line of canvas totes....

 April - Working at home helps to get to know some of the visitors....

She would come and hang out on the window ledge

May - all set up for Epic Expo....

Hitting the runway for the first time!

Telejournal did a brief episode about us

June - launching TRIFFtextiles summer range called Oh, Acid Wash Yours..

"Painted" tote

Bleach painted jeans, re-worked into handbags.


July - sketching, experimenting and starting the new collection ( F/W 2011 Cebrellex).
I was ready to take a different direction with my designs. I wanted to keep the core features, like pleats, punched holes and the strength of my builds, but I also looked towards working with new shapes, exposed stitching and new finishes. Oh, and multiple zippers too!

Vertical frills of Tosca

Structural pleats of Tasmain

Moulding pleats of Khela

July/ August - four dreamy days on the beach at the Harmony Arts Festival, West Vancouver

All set up - and showing some designs of Cebrellex for the first time

Returning customer agrees to pose for a shot with her Renata bag

Live music at Harmony Arts

 September - hitting the road for much needed R&R. First time in Alberta~

look-out in the mountains

first night +  fireplace!

view from the campground...

October - the new, long awaited sewing machine arrives! 
My sewing has not been the same ever since.

on the right - Duerkopp Adler.

And - we launch!
After a few weeks of frantic sewing, we are ready to unveil the all new F/W 2011 Cebrellex; my third collection! We hit the runway at Vancouver Eco Fashion Week.

Patrice Has Options

Dovana

November - Holiday season.... More new products!

Telia recycled fur clutch

Big Skinny belts

For the home - patchwork cushions

Make It Vancouver was our final show of the season - we had an amazing time, as always...

Make It Vancouver, Winter

... and got some great press! 

Vancouver Sun features an article about Make It

 December - Local-E Pop up shop brightens up the neighbourhood for three weeks!

Our corner at Local-E

 We had a blast at this small collective of Indies. I am sure, mulled Holiday wine, helped too!...
And, off to Sunshine Coast, BC for pre-Holiday breather...

Gibsons, BC

 So, there... It has been a remarkable year, proving, that the path I chose... could just be the right one!.. For 2012, I intend to travel a bit more - and be significantly better at staying in touch with people around. Lift my head and smell the roses. Share the simple moments of everyday enchantment.
 Happy 2012...


Posted by Jolanta http://jolavdesigns.com