Khela, progress

My latest Collection is big leap from the first attempts to sew leather three years ago. And, the very trustworthy new machine I got last year has been an extraordinary help. I am so glad I was able to do the kind of stitching I always wanted, and in the past, although I knew I had the skills to do it well, I simply did not have the machine, that does not let me down in those critical moments. I like exposed stitching, pleats, folds and sculpting, and this Collection has been based on that...

My new confidence has delivered perhaps the most complex crown to date - a low-key and  functional one, which was the true intention behind it. You've probably did not even notice it, yet is has been relentlessly doing its job - on Khela bag... The bat-wing zipper expansion....

The zippers inserted into the crown of Khela allow the wearer a wider access to the inside of the bag when needed, and close it when not needed. I came up with that idea after once trying to quickly allocate an umbrella inside one of my bags. What if there was a space inside a bag, I thought, where I could stand the umbrella upright, with the handle right at the top, so I can pull it out in a split second...

The zips are facing the outside, and the nubuc of the 'bat wing' faces the inside. I need to do at least four inversions of the bag parts, before I can fully attach it to both  - front and back of the bag. Then, four more for the other side...

Now, it is time to connect the top of the crown and enclose it: two more inversions to the inside-out to stitch, and back again - to, later, top-stitch. I love top-stitching, and do it whenever possible. The varying tensions bring out the colour properties of leather. Here, a Khela is being built in gorgeous Harness Brown - coming soon for FW 2012...

Top-stitching is the most demanding part of the build. It comes, when most of the bag has already been assembled, so way too late to mess up - and practically no room to start over...  Yet, top-stitching can be the most important detail of the design, and it can be the one trait, that grabs the eye. The zippers get sewn in twice - on the bad side, and then, top-stitched on the good side.  Those are some firmly holding zips...

 The top-stitching also follows through the very centre of the bag - this is where I tend to go really slowly, especially through those centre folds of the outer shell. It pays.

And then... some fifteen inversions, countless folds and pleats later, we have the assembled bat-wing crown of the Khela...  Lastly, on comes the flap closure and the strap holes. The zips look gorgeous, and really do serve a purpose. See a Khela wearer pull out a water bottle right out of that corner, or swing out an umbrella in a second, makes it all worth the effort and the handiwork.

This is how they look like, when complete: Mahogany, Harness Brown and Cafe.  

Khela bags are available at the Webshop and Favourite Gifts in North Van


Posted by Jolanta http://jolavdesigns.com

"Gather" recap

Because of how unusually rainy the Spring and early Summer were in Vancouver (and by our standards here, things are rainy in general - but the stats for 2012 surpassed the wet weather averages by three times! - so that is no joke), we decided to opt out of the outdoor events we were so immersed in the previous year, and take our Summer event indoors. Luclily, Gather Pop Up, came to Gastown in late July...

Taking place, literally, a block away from our studio, in a beautiful space, previously occupied by a restaurant, and organized by the founders of Cargoh and OOAK Vancouver, gather Pop Up was an easy pick. It was the first event of it's kind so far, and we were so lucky to be part of it. It was about time the bags 'got out to socialize', especially since there were some new designs appearing for the Summer...

Gather was not like many other handmade shopping weekends in the city. In fact, it defined just what we were looking for in a great event - it featured Media night on the opening evening, workshops, an art show and fantastic decor, ambiance and music - and received some serious press coverage in Canada.

... it also had a very unique way of spreading the word throughout the city - with beautiful 2-wheeled messengers equipped with fliers and lots of smiles.

On the set-up day, we loaded our bins on a dolly and carted them down the street, without needing to worry about loading the car, finding parking... making Gather the easiest and most pleasant set-up to date.

The set-up - thanks to Claire for the pic...

I brought some new designs, made especially for Gather Pop Up - and, Summer season in general. These will later on turn up in all leather as well...

Burlap and leather prototype... all new!

Because Gastown is so popular with visitors, the bags ended up traveling to their homes in otherwise unusual places further away - like Australia, Spain; some went to Ohio; and some stayed in town. It was very inspiring to see how aware tourists are about Indie fashion and art movement, and how willing they are to support small makers, like us.

Goodies...

Gather Pop Up was a great experience, time well spent amongst shoppers and fellow artists; and we would love to return for more.

I even treated myself to this cutie by VisaMexicana...

image sources: myself, Cariann, Planet Claire


And also - do not forget our SALE (60% off + prototypes 35% off - and more) August 11th at 
Favourite Gifts...

Posted by Jolanta http://jolavdesigns.com

Sale! - samples one-offs and last-offs: August 11th

Two Saturdays away, on the 11th of August we will be hosting our Sample, One-offs and Last-offs sale at Favourite Gifts in North Vancouver.

The discounts will be awesome, cos we're making room for Fall stuff and as soon as the Sale is over, we'll be planting ourselves into the sewing chair to get ready for the Holiday season...

Some deals will also be posted on the Webshop, but we will have even more in-store... We will be all day, 10 - 7 pm, with an extra stand of specially priced goodies...

The on-line  markdowns will start later this week...

************************************************
All reclaimed sweater bags from past seasons will be 60% off...

Towngirl Argyle

Same for beach-totes...

QtBeach

Selected Prototypes will be about 35% off...

Patrice Has Options

Khela, Prototype

And the left over discontinued styles, last-offs and one-offs will be 60% off...

Patchwork Bucket

Nijole

Favourite Gifts
located on the 2nd level of the Lonsdale Quay market.
Contact and directions here:
http://favouritegifts.ca/#/contact/4566838720

Posted by Jolanta http://jolavdesigns.com

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 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

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