COCONAUTICAL welcomes handbag designer Vanveer to its growing platform of emerging designers.
With famous Dutch shoemaker Van Dalen as grandfather (Van Dalen Shoes) the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree for Vera Merx. At a young age she developed a love for arts and craftsmanship. She studied at the Academy of Art & Design in Arnhem and worked at the Boijmans Museum and the Centre of Arts in Rotterdam. It was in 2010 when she started the Van Veer bags label.
In 2014 Vera moved to Spain with her husband and 8 months old daughter. Since then her studio has grown rapidly and with help of her highly skilled assistants Van Veer is crafting non-stop for the ever-growing demand for custom leather doctors bags and the Van Veer collections.
We interviewed Vera Merx, the designer herself, hand here are a few of her thoughts.
Your designs and the craftsmanship is unique, what is your design process?
Van Veer established its following with its classic line of doctor bags. The Van Veer doctor bags are designed and handcrafted by Vera Merx and her team in their studio in La Herradura, Spain. The leather comes from Spain and is mainly rest leather that is purchased in small units. The metal strips for the doctor bags, are made in a metal workshop near the studio. The leather for the bags is thoughtfully chosen. After the patterns are transferred onto the leather, we cut and skive the leather with a skiving machine. Then the parts of the bag are sewn as well as the lining.
Finally, the metal strips are covered with leather and together with the lining sewn into the bag. Then the metal strips are bent into the desired shape, always an exciting moment! Finally the handle and the doctors bag lock are mounted on the bag. A new Dr. Veer doctors bag has born.
Since launching your brand in 2010, what has been your favourite moment?
I have so many great Van Veer memories. I started from scratch so the first bag I sold to someone I didn’t know, was really an excited moment. And I think when we saw the first images of the photo shoot for the summer collection it was definitely a moment to remember. I saw everything coming together in those images. It made me really proud of what I have accomplished so far.
What is your inspiration in creating your designs?
The sights and sounds of the city and its intricacies. I really love working with leather, the colours and texture of it. My biggest inspiration is the leather itself and the endless possibilities in finding new combinations.
I really love designing for the modern workingwoman. Reinventing classic work bags for women who need to carry a lot but want to look chic doing it.
What are your favourite holiday destinations. Where would you take your Vanveer bag?
Oh definitely California - San Francisco. I absolutely love this city. Otherwise I would have to say Barcelona.
What is your favourite piece from your collection?
It would have to be the Mini Mostaza, its smart sophisticated and compact
Describe the Vanveer woman?
The Van Veer Woman is elegant, dares to be different, is self-confident and a businesswoman
Here are a few of our favorite pieces from Vanveer.
1 comment
Love!!
deanne bell on