Origin Story
In school, I was never the "brightest kid." Not stupid (I hope), just someone who liked to complicate simple questions. I used to hide that—and honestly, hide myself—behind the clothes I wore.
There was this math teacher I was scared of. An older woman, always dressed elegantly, and I had the feeling I wasn’t her favorite student. One day, like most, I overthought my outfit—yellow flowy blouse, classic black pants, and high heels. As I walked down the hall, she came right toward me and, with the biggest smile, told me I looked like the sun of spring and wished me a good day.
That compliment meant a lot.
Style was the only thing I felt confident about back then. And somehow, it saved me. Or maybe it just made school a little more fun.
*I couldn't find a picture of me in high school, but found this one in my mom's old galleries. On the internet.*
I was A DIVA.
The Business Idea Girl Era
At 20, I moved to a different city to study business management—and that’s when I realized how much I love coming up with business ideas. Like… a lot.
My dad got endless calls from me. “Why don’t people make X?” or “Wouldn’t it be cool if Y existed?” This still happens at almost every dinner.
One time, we even rented a spot by the water to put a small house on. I had it all mapped out—mostly because I needed something for my marketing course. The spot is still rented, by the way. The house? Never happened.
None of those ideas really stuck. They didn’t feel like me. Because they had nothing to do with style.
Velvet Vibes
In 2023, I moved to Germany to support my boyfriend’s basketball career—while quietly battling panic attacks.
I’ve always been the emotional one.
To cope, I started a print-on-demand store. Designed a few tees. It was fun, but not really my style. I'm more high heels and summer dresses than graphic tees and streetwear.
The name? Velvet Vibes.
Yeah… not my proudest branding moment.
But even Velvet Vibes taught me something: that I needed to create something that felt like me. Not just sell something that sounded good on paper.
The Bag Idea That Changed Everything
Then I took a social media break for a month—for my crazy brain, of course. And one night, while lying in bed, bored out of my mind, I stared at my baby blue handbag and thought, "I wish I had this in white... but that’s not a smart financial decision."
And then: "Wait. Are there handbags—not totes—that you can wear on both sides?"
Drum roll.
Another business idea.
And this one felt different.
I called my dad (shocker). “It’ll be made from vegan leather, have zippers on every corner, a removable handle, and a removable lining…”
And for the first time, he sounded different too. Supportive. Serious.
He asked me if I had a name. I did.
You're All That
Before Velvet Vibes, the name I actually wanted was "You’re All That." But it didn’t fit the tees and hoodies. Still, every design had a meaningful quote.
The thing about style—for me—is that it’s always changing. I never stick to one aesthetic. Same goes for the big question:
Who do I want to be?
A lover’s girl? A career woman? A horse ranch queen? A golf girlie? A stay-at-home mom?
Thing is—you don’t have to be just one. You can be all that. Maybe all at once. Maybe in different chapters. But you’re allowed to be it all.
A Rookie Mistake (Turned Right)
I wanted to make my bags in Italy—luxury, craftsmanship, all that. So when I found a company called Italian Shoe Factory, I messaged them right away. I was in full speed mode—because once you have a good idea, it feels like someone else might have it too.
Rookie mistake: I didn’t check their location.
They were in Dubai.
But honestly? They replied fast, were super professional, and the vibe felt right. So I went with it—and I’m glad I did.
We made the first sample. It looked like a lunchbox. Because, well, I drew it like one. Not my proudest design moment—but it was a start. And they really helped me bring it to life.
The Dubai Heat Test & The Real Work
In August (yes, the hottest time), my dad and I flew to Dubai. Walking back to the hotel one night, he handled the heat better than I did. My soul nearly left my body.
I was really nervous before the meeting. Mind you, I’m completely new to all of this. I just wanted to be professional, not ramble too much, and remember all the details.
Of course, everything went great. They were really welcoming, and I honestly couldn’t have made a better manufacturer choice. We had two amazing meetings, fixed the design, and now we’re working on the final sample.
No one gives you a roadmap for how to make a bag from scratch. Especially with zero product design experience. I’ve Googled... a lot.
But don’t get me wrong—this was my first time in Dubai and my first trip alone with my dad. So we made sure to enjoy the work-life balance.
One of the hardest parts? The closure.
Because of the reversible design, I needed a closure that would work both ways. We tried a few options, but nothing worked quite right—or the good ones were already signature elements of big brands.
I started feeling like I was letting everyone down. Like I was wasting my manufacturer’s time.
Eventually, I came up with my own design. Found people who could produce it. Problem (almost) solved.
The closure samples were sent to me in Germany so I could check the quality—then I shipped them to Dubai.
But it’s been over a month. And the samples? Still missing.
Big mistake on my end. Gives me nightmares.
Now I’m back in Latvia, trying to figure out a solution.
The Patent Fiasco
In April 2024, I submitted my first patent application—completely by myself. No lawyer. No clue.
I watched every tutorial I could find. Every long train ride in Germany? Patent research time.
I even paid full price.
Later, I found out I could’ve done it almost for free.
Now, I have a lawyer and a proper, legally written application. Bonus point—she said it wasn’t that bad. But I know she just wanted to make me feel better.
The Soul of the Brand
Something still felt missing: the soul.
I once told my mentor I want the brand to have a soul. He laughed and asked, “What do you mean?”
It’s simple. Since I was little, I’ve wanted to help people and animals in need. So for me, "soul" means building that mission into the brand from the beginning.
And the second part? It’s sewn into every bag.
One day, after a meeting, I thought—what if each bag had a quote or affirmation hidden inside the lining? Something you see on an "I give up" day. A reminder of who you are.
Why Vegan Leather?
I’ve always had a deep love for animals and nature. I’m not vegan or vegetarian—food and I have a complicated relationship—but I can choose not to build my business on the back of animals.
(And no, leather isn’t just a byproduct of meat. More on that another time.)
And what came out of all of this? Meet Lolita — my one and only. Read here.
With love,
Alija xx