Victoria’s Story
The owner and creative force behind La Galeria Elefante is Victoria Durrer-Gasse, who’s love story with Ibiza began in 1970 when she first visited the island as a young teenager with her mother. Captivated by the crystal clear waters, the scent of the pine forests, the sunsets, the relaxed hippy vibe and of course the nightclubs (heady days and nights dancing at Pacha), Victoria returned every summer holiday. Victoria moved permanently to the island in the late 1990s with her husband François and newly born son Emile, to live in an old finca perched on top of the hill in Santa Agnes. Influenced by the island’s bohemian spirit and inspired by her grandmother’s passion for embroidery and needlework, Victoria’s studies in textile design led her to design clothing and artwork from her studio at home. Travels around the world fuelled Victoria’s appetite to explore traditional hand-made crafts and their cultural heritage, and she soon made it her mission to preserve, support and promote these artisanal skills
In 2010 Victoria began transforming the La Galeria Elefante location into a beautiful treasure trove for vibrant fashion and homeware items sourced on her travels as well as Victoria’s own collections. Today, the concept store is a popular shopping destination, visited by international holidaymakers each season and regularly frequented by the locals year-round. With an inherent philosophy and passion for keeping disappearing crafts alive while supporting underprivileged and victimised people around the world, Victoria and her ‘Elly’ team work with NGOs, small businesses and talented artisans to design and source unique pieces for the shop, always with a playful twist. Victoria also sources vintage and antique pieces and offers an interior styling service to create the colourful bohemian look typical of La Galeria Elefante. Her ‘Victoria Made With Love & Laughter’ collections are now also available on the La Galeria Elefante online store and in selected sustainable pop-ups around the world. Collaborations with Urban Outfitters and John Lewis have seen her collections being brought to big fashion stores in the UK, and the latest and second collection of bohemian maxi and midi dresses for John Lewis launched in May 2021. Shop the collection here
