Learning...

Earlier this Spring I attended a wonderful PR workshop, run by Fashion Capsule. The workshop was catered to small businesses, run by small teams. I thought it would be a perfect ground to test some of the knowledge I already  have on the subject, and to find way to further encourage myself to pursue this side of marketing.

Photo: Angela Fama

I got more than I asked for - it was a great, concise and informative workshop. Many thanks to Sarah and Angela.
Feel free to read Angela's post here - and also learn more about her photography work and services in Vancouver.

Posted by Jolantahttp://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 The outdated ones, the ones that no longer fit, the damaged ones - anything could be re-worked.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

A whole new look...

As of this Spring, JVD has been changing - starting with new bags tags and labels.... We have recently sourced custom metal tags, made for us, featuring our logo.

After a few months of research, sampling and production, we now have our own identifying tags in three shades of metal to accompany all the full sized purses we produce...

The tags will be attached to the interior of the bags, and in many cases, exterior as well. They won't be blingy or 'invasive', as our aesthetics for little-to-no metal has not changed. The interior rectangular tags look great with our neutral lining, and the round outer ones are subtle enough to go with overall design of the purses....

The tags are now landing on all the newly built handbags of the current Collection, as well as the upcoming Fall additions.

Here is what arrived to the studio a couple of weeks ago:

Gold, Silver and Copper

Round outer tags

Interior tags

We will keep you posted on the upcoming new developments and changes here at JVD. The custom labels are only the beginning...

Posted by Jolanta http://jolavdesigns.com

Folder: oversized fold-over clutch

Folder, Deep Red

I really enjoy designing new things, and adding them to an existing collection at any given season. Folder is a Spring addition to FW2011 Cebrellex, along with The Starter, Iolanthé clutch (pics soon) and Luff. Although it took me a while to develop smaller bags, this Spring is definitely the season of the clutch.

Folder, Spanish Moss

Folder is a classic zip clutch, intended for evening or day. Not meant to house every necessity in the world, but has enough space to take in quite a few of those, while remaining elegant.

Folder, Classic Burgundy

The bottom is expanded with corner darts, avoiding that `bloated`look some other flat clutches sometimes have, the moment we put something inside them.

Hazelnut, Azalea, Aqua, Deep Red and Spanish Moss

Zippers we selected are all metal, keeping the look fresh and somewhat festive at the same time. The colours will vary throughout the seasons, however, Folder looks great, both in classic Earth tones, in Brights, and Metallics or Pearlescents.

Purple Python, Gold and Lake

Some of the Folders, especially in the rare brights, will come as sets, along with a matching Big Skinny belt - and, we cannot wait for the JVD logo Hardware to arrive, so it can complete the carelessly elegant look of Folder....

Purple Python, Lake and Gold

As for me, I will be wearing mine from pick-nicks to parties throughout the Summer (and Fall, and Holidays).

** Currently: Folder is available at the Webshop, Dream Apparel and Poppy Hair Boutique, colours vary. Email us to help find your favourite shade**

Posted by Jolanta http://jolavdesigns.com

Toronto recap

I got back, just over a week ago, and seem to take for ever to unpack, clean out, launder - anything to do with returning from a trip.
One Of A Kind Spring show of 2012 was my first go-away show, I am glad I took part in it.

I was preparing for several weeks, thinking through my very mobile display and making new stuff, also shipping things ahead of time, so they get there and wait for me to pick them up and cart them to the venue.

Once in Toronto, I had taken more cab-rides in just that week, than in the past 10 years altogether! Must admit I am still very fond of the roomy Eastern town cars, where I can stretch my legs fully inside and rest the back on my head on the edge of the seat. That simply does not exist in most Vancouver cabs...

So, here is the booth - purses hanging from a marine line, attached to the top pipe by several bike hooks, shaped like a question mark; my streamers, made from recycled men's button down shirts, and my 42" table:

5x10 booth

The set-up was incredibly smooth, with maybe some delays in delivering the lighting I rented, but when I showed up for the first day of the show, my lights were there, exactly where I wanted them, wired, plugged and ready. That was a nice surprise, as I was expected to spend the morning doing DIY electrical.

Although, during biz trips there is hardly time for sightseeing, we managed to do some - which was a great intro to some of  TO's neighbourhoods. After living in Vancouver for many years, Toronto appeared more of a traditional city, active, faster paced and vibrant. I very much enjoy that kind of environment and have always been missing it since my arrival to BC.

We took a trip to Distillery district

And Queens street

Then I had night strolls of my own...

...observed history..

and city halls...

The weather in TO is incredibly shifty. It cools off so much after sundown, you are really reminded, that you're in Mid-West. During our week we had freezing temperatures on the day of our arrival, changing to thunder overnight, followed by a shift to 18*C the following day with almost summery rain, cooling off to cloudless 6*C, and finally bringing the rain at 12*C, with bright sky and 15*C the day of our departure.

But every morning we made our way to the show floor for another day of sales...

hallway of the Direct Energy Centre

Booth, waiting for re-opening

This trip was not only educational, but very therapeutic.  I realized I was not traveling often enough, for biz, or not - and intend to do more of that this year. It enabled me to spend time with other fellow traveling artists and learn from them as well. Also, selling in a completely new environment provides insights of completely different customers, their preferences and tastes.

Traveling never ceases to open up and grow my world.



Posted by Jolanta http://jolavdesigns.com

New

After a couple months of preparations, we can breathe easier here at the Studio. The props, bags and other equipment has been shipped out, stock counts done, all the other necessities ordered for the One Of A kind Show in a week.

I have been working with re-purposed jackets for original limited quantity pieces....

Iolanthe clutches - to debut at OOAK TO

More men's leather from the 80s...

Got a start on the new hardware, which, even though will not make it to the show, will eventually land on everything we produce from this year on...

Silver, Antique copper and Gold tags

Folder clutch with zipper pull 

Shipped, packed and then shipped again... - purses to be sold, supplies and gadgets...

Today, I started on my final suitcase, filled it with my trade-show outfits, as well as some overflow purses, and finally felt more excited than exhausted from all the prep.... This will be my first time in Toronto, and I can't wait to meet my Eastern supporters in person...

Posted by Jolanta http://jolavdesigns.com