Fernanda Daudt Interview at METCHA

Transcription of the article "If u think waste is an error of design, u hav to meet @voltaatelier's founder, Fernanda (the 👑 of reusin' leather)." available at METCHA | VOLTA ATELIER: upcyclyn' leather bags supporting socially vulnerable women.

FEBRUARY 10, 2020

VOLTA ATELIER: upcyclyn' leather bags supporting socially vulnerable women

U can read all 'bout brands focusing + on sustainable productions, but how many times u see someone actually doing that from start to finish? Well, meet VOLTA ATELIER.

In collab w/ local NGOs, the atelier shows that dope&beautifullymade leather bags can have a huge positive social impact, from materials to the chosen team (seriously).

Each creation is hand-stitched by artisan women in social vulnerability, such as refugees from Haiti living in South Brazil, victims of domestic violence or former inmates. The materials used are also one of a kind: w/ 100% scrap leather, the designs got us seeing heaven where things were seen as only waste.

SPOILER: we also got to see up close their faves for the upcoming NYFW. So get ready to pick yours.

Dive ++ in a chat we had in NYC w/ Fernanda, the founder of Volta👇👇.

How did VOLTA firstly start?

Having worked in the leather accessories industry, I observed the environmental problem caused by the wasted material generated from production, leather among them. At the same time, I was already developing in Brasil projects for the use of artisanal work in accessories within a higher production scale. Working as a trend forecaster I had the understanding that there was room for purpose-driven brands. So, the decision of making accessories using 100% of upcycled leather and artisanal production was a natural consequence of my previous activities.

U guys believe that "Waste Is an Error of Design". What does that mean to u?

The landfill problems we're experiencing now are in great part a result of a culture of planned obsolescence, which was a design solution at its time. Once Design is concerned with all aspects of a product, waste management should be one of them, not only for the patternmaking creation or for the waste generated during production but also its after-use. The design should not omit this responsibility.

What is the connection u see between sustainability & working w/ socially vulnerable woman?

Sustainability and social justice walk side by side. From the seventeen United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, at least eight can be considered social goals, as the elimination of poverty, gender equality, social work, and so on. So, for us, sustainability is inextricable from social justice.

What mainly comes to mind when u r designing a new product?

The main concepts r timelessness, simplification, and lightness. We need classic shapes because we are using high-quality leather and the bags will last for a long time. We need simplicity to highlight the manual work and the characteristics of the leather. Lightness simply because most of the bags are too heavy. We only use small metals and mostly for handles adjustment. Also, all of them are foldable, perfect to travel light.

How does the reuse of lthr happen?

One of the best parts of reusing leather is exclusivity: almost all our bags are one-of-a-kind. This also comes with some constraints. As we are not ordering the production of the raw material, there's an inverted logic to plan our production. Our company cannot simply decide what to produce. In the beginning, our available material is used to decide what products can be made. I would dare to say it's a completely new way of thinking production.

& how do you choose the perf material?

We carefully select our leather scraps from tanneries and factories, after production or a collection. Having worked for this industry enables me to look at different sources to find what fits best for us. In our process, it is crucial to have a good assortment of colors, prints and embossing patterns. Brazilian leather is one of the best in the world but also using it makes sense for us from a logistical standpoint.

What is the big difference between hand-made goods from other types of production?

We believe the big difference is in the connection. There is a connection between the artisans and the items being made. The artisans are incorporating their time, work, attention to detail, and their heritage into the product. When this connection is perceived by the consumer, the product becomes meaningful.

New year, bigger goals — What r the ultimate goals for Volta Atelier?

Apart from business expansion while making a meaningful impact, we want to increase our product mix with items combining other upcycled materials and artisanal techniques. We also want to build collaborations and partnerships with like-minded brands, artists and NGOs.

Leftovers never looked so good, right? 👅