Today we’d like to introduce you to Kate Garrett.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Kate. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I’m a traveler (‘La Viajera’) at heart and always hoped to one day be able to combine my love of travel and unique, artisan finds. Finding that job seemed a lot harder than just starting a little something of my own, which is probably not actually the case, but that’s what I did anyway.
I’d been to Colombia for the second time in December 2015 and an idea had started to brew. Some things came together and I got the push I needed at the right time to make it happen.
I started La Viajera because of a love for Colombia and for The Wayuu people and this beautiful mochila that is part of their heritage. I honestly, fell in love with the mochila – the colors, the story behind them, the craft and skill it takes to weave one. I wanted to share that with the Dallas (and hopefully greater) community, but in an updated light.
I felt like mochilas had mostly been reserved for beach life. The fringe and the leather strap give them a modern, updated look and make them wearable day in and day out. It was totally different than anything I’d seen.
To change the original strap to leather, it was only right to do so with high quality leather and superb craftsmanship. The detail of the leatherwork enhances the uniqueness of the mochila. Leather is appled in small batches using leather pieces hand selected to best match the mochila. The mochila is deserving of only the best materials and work, which honor the craft of weaving and tradition of The Wayuu people.
So much love and history goes into the weaving of a Wayuu mochila, it was really important to me to continue that tradition of handmade and thoughtfulness in the leather application process. We focus on small batch and handmade. The fringe and straps are all handcut and sewn bag by bag.
La Viajera pieces are just gorgeous pieces of textile art. I want you to feel good when you wear one and I promise people will stop you all the time – it’s a conversation piece. I value the self-expression we’re allowed when we dress each day, and the leather mochila certainly gives you that.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Like with any business, there are constant challenges.
The leather application piece was the most challenging starting out. I really didn’t want to manufacture the leather detail, but finding someone locally was one of my biggest challenges and I have actually moved among three different people, and even then, it was such a process to get the detail and quality of work where I wanted it to be. Having leather application done locally increases costs and labor of those pieces, so I made the decision to do very very little wholesale. The price to the consumer is very fair for the beautiful piece, but it is on the higher end.
Also, the wayuu people live very far away in Colombia – it’s very remote and hard to get to. So thankful for WA!
Marketing and finding our customer has been a challenge too. I’m in Dallas and focused pretty hard on the Dallas community – and they’ve been so awesome and supportive – but I know my product isn’t for everyone. I believe most people appreciate it, but know it’s not for everyone.
La Viajera – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I probably already answered this in my lengthy response two questions back! 😉
We’re proud to be part of the slow fashion + handmade movement, hopefully soon the ‘ethical/sustainable’ fashion movement. We don’t market that due to the use of leather, but we are doing some prototyping with Pinatex – completely sustainable leather substitute byproduct from pineapple farming.
We’re proud of the partnerships we’ve made along the way, and continue to strive to be a better partner as well. Our goal is to share a beautiful, totally one of a kind product and to share the culture of that product as well.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
La Viajera is still pretty young – I still get super excited with each and every sale. 🙂 I LOVE getting to meet the people at pop ups/markets that are buying and I love seeing repeat customers. I love partnerships/collaborations.
Working to create positive impact is always how I would define success. Before this, I’ve always worked at non profits, primarily focused around kids and education. I am pulled by my heart and I don’t know how to do it any other way.
There is such a power in being a responsible consumer and that’s the conversation that’s happening now and it’s exciting. It’s hard to change people mindset, but I think we’ll get there, and I hope La Viajera continues to be part of that discussion.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thelaviajera.com
- Email: kate@thelaviajera.com
- Instagram: @thelaviajera
- Facebook: La Viajera
Image Credit:
Beckley, Caitlin Elizabeth Photography LLC
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
