Tag Archives: Victoria Made With Love and Laughter

John Lewis x La Galeria Elefante Capsule Collection Autumn / Winter 2022 / 2023

John Lewis X La Galeria Elefante Capsule Collection Autumn / Winter 2022 / 2023

Joy is the simplest form of gratitude. I am both joyful and extremely grateful that John Lewis have chosen to collaborate with us once again to produce our 1st autumn / winter collection following many successful summer collections.

The prints for the collection are inspired by starry evenings under night skies and warm winter light, awakening the desire to wear cosy and comfy clothing while still exuding a feminine flair.

These versatile pieces are perfect additions to your winter wardrobe and look fab layered with an oversized jumper or a long velvet coat and your favourite boots.
Dress to impress while feeling more comfortable than ever in these casually luxurious pieces.

All pieces are bespoke to John Lewis but taken from our own original designs which can be found in our collections in other prints and fabrics too! The pieces are made from soft “eco vera” rayon and soft drapey velvets, nostalgic of Ibiza in the ’70s, with hints of global boho cultures.
Eco Vera is rayon produced using less water and pesticides, making it eco friendly and sustainable.

Included in this years’ collection, with bespoke alterations and available in 2 sizes, S/M & M/L, are the Velvet Mexican Dress, the Jody Dress, the Velvet Overshirt and the Velvet Wide Leg Trousers.

The Velvet Mexican Dress

The Velvet Mexican Dress is a midi length dress with long balloon-style sleeves, ruched at the cuffs, channeling an elegantly fun ’70s vibe.
It features a v-neckline and a three-tiered skirt with pockets for the ultimate boho look. There’s a zip on the side and it’s available in black or in rust.

Shop The Velvet Mexican Dress

The Jody Dress 

Jody Fern Midi Dress, Aubergine/Tea La Galeria Elefante Ibiza 260

The Jody Dress is our own signature boho midi dress, but with a few bespoke alterations.
The prints are reminiscent of walks through Ibiza pine forests under clear winter skies and the dress is perfect for daytime dancing or evening shindigs.
Its bohemian style is matched by the blouson sleeves and frilled, rounded neckline, with elastic shirring under the bust to define your shape and make way for the flared A-line cut.
Choose between the burgundy & warm cream fern print or the black & dusty pink star print.

Shop The Jody Dress

The Velvet Overshirt

The Velvet Overshirt is a fun and funky loose-fitting velvet shirt with an oh-so retro vibe! It is slightly longer at the back, has button-up cuffs and a button-up front with a full collar.
Available in a gorgeously warm rust colour.

Shop The Velvet Overshirt

The Velvet Wide Leg Trousers

The Velvet Wide Leg Trousers are the perfect winter palazzo pants, loose-fitting and wonderfully comfortable. These soft, wide leg trousers have an elasticated waist for ultimate lounging and are available in the same gorgeously warm rust as the Overshirt.

Shop The Velvet Wide Leg Trousers

I hope you enjoy this collection as much as I enjoyed creating it with my dear friend Penny McIvor.

Huge thanks to the entire John Lewis team for their continued support and of course thank you to all of you, our beloved customers worldwide!

We are over excited that the new autumn / winter capsule collection with John Lewis is now in stores and can be found online!

If you’re in the UK, pop in to John Lewis Oxford Street, Peter Jones Sloane Square or John Lewis in Kingston

Also available on our own website in other pretty prints and fits.

SHOP THE JOHN LEWIS X LA GALERIA ELEFANTE COLLECTION HERE

La Galeria Elefante in Monsoon

Monsoon Selection 2022 - Victoria Durrer-Gasse

Always humbled by collaborations with well known brands, I was thrilled to be asked to contribute to the Brands Bazaar section for Monsoon and of course said yes instantly!  Monsoon is a British brand with an eye for true beauty, colourful prints, fabrics or embellishments. They design in-house, source globally and ethically and are dedicated to delivering keepsake quality. Born out of a bohemian adventure, celebrating the colours, patterns, and craftsmanship encountered on world travels, Monsoon is now on a journey back to those roots and this re-discovery sent them back to their origins in Ibiza, the birthplace of the Monsoon concept, to collaborate with some creative souls, who share a free-spirited attitude and inspire their products today.

As well as visiting La Galeria Elefante many times & sourcing some of our pieces for their sustainable ‘Brands Bazaar’ selection, Monsoon interviewed me about my teenage years in Ibiza, inspirational women, and my passions.

You can read all about it here.

SHOP LA GALERIA ELEFANTE FROM MONSOON
Monsoon

John Lewis x La Galeria Elefante Capsule Collection Summer 2022

John Lewis Summer 22

I could not be happier with our 3rd summer collection in collaboration with John Lewis. Working relationships are sacred and I am forever grateful to be working with such wonderful brands!

The 2022 collection features floaty boho maxi & midi dresses, this year with the addition of a playful jumpsuit! Made from soft, sustainable cotton and EcoVero rayon, the designs are inspired by global textiles, nature and the beauty of Ibiza, in pretty leaf prints, paisleys and abstract prints. Each piece tells its own story.

Included in this years’ collection, with bespoke alterations, are the Kimono Dress, the Tash Dress, the Jody Dress and the Jumpsuit.

The inspiration for the prints in the Summer 2022 collection stem from walks down memory lane, as well as evening strolls in the magical light of Ibiza nature and long swims in the crystal clear waters of the Mediterranean Sea.

The cotton pieces are made using BCI which is the “Better Cotton Initiative” –  the concept of growing cotton with judicious use of water, chemical fertilizers and pesticides, to reduce the environmental footprint of cotton farming.

The rayon pieces are made using EcoVero rayon, the eco friendly version of rayon which uses less water and pesticides. The production of EcoVero causes 50% less emissions and takes up half as much energy and water in addition to its pulp bleaching being 100% chlorine-free.

The Kimono Dress is an all-time favourite, repeated due to popular demand. It’s a long, cotton v-neck dress with a tie at the back and a fitted waist that flares out to a full skirt, accented by the 3/4 length kimono sleeves. Prints inspired by the island’s sun, fields and sea.
Available in a Green Fern Print or in a Yellow Kaleidoscope Print.

The Jumpsuit 

This playful Jumpsuit is an oversized one-piece, with a v-neckline and a zip-up front. It features a tie with a tassel at the back and it has pockets too! The wide legs make it the perfect summer outfit for beaching, boating or boogying!
Available in a Cream Ikat Print.

The Tash Dress

The Tash Dress is a loose fitting midi dress with a high waist and a round neckline. It features capped sleeves and is available in a fun teal star tile print and a blue & white abstract kaleidoscope print, inspired by dreamy evenings under starry Ibiza skies.
Available in Blue Kaleidoscope Print and a Teal Star Tile Print.

The Jody Dress

The Jody Dress is our own signature boho maxi dress, but with a few bespoke alterations. The prints are reminiscent of Ibiza sunsets over the sea and it’s the perfect holiday dress for both daytime and evening wear. This long, cotton maxi dress has a tiered skirt, perfect for twirling in. Its bohemian style is matched by the blouson sleeves and frilled, rounded neckline, with elastic shirring under the bust to define your shape and make way for the flared A-line cut.
Available in a Pink Floral Print and in a Blue Paisley Print.

SHOP THE JOHN LEWIS X LA GALERIA ELEFANTE COLLECTION HERE
Available at Peter Jones in Sloane Square or John Lewis on Oxford Street, in Kingston and in Cheadle as well as in-store and online.

Also available on our own website in other pretty prints and fits.

Devoted Designers

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Shop owning is a multi faceted business that keeps me on my toes! The really fun parts include sourcing treasures and selecting designers to showcase in-store. As a designer myself, I’m often up at all hours finalising clothing prints with designers in India, doodling jewellery ideas, preparing pieces for the homewares section and crafting baskets, lamps and other pieces for the shop. I fully understand how difficult it is to self-promote and so appreciate every day that I have the perfect outlet not only for my own pieces but also for the amazing items made by designers I adore. Meeting new designers on a daily basis fills me with love for my chosen path and so I would like to introduce to you a few of the designers I passionately promote at La Galeria Elefante.

Here are a few designers I have had the pleasure to work with and would love for you to know more about.

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Scarlett Day Jewellery. Nurturing a love of fine jewellery while working with us at La Galeria Elefante over the years, Scarlett was initially influenced while working for a jeweller many years ago in Goa. Born with a love of crystals and an eye for the magnificent, Scarlett created her own self-named brand of beautifully elegant and accessible pieces. The Scarlett Day collections include easy to wear earrings, stunning rings carefully crafted using semi precious stones and wonderful pendants, all made from 9 carat gold and zealously designed by Scarlett herself. Scarlett devours the inspiration that surrounds her and adds a sparkle of magic to every piece created. Keep an eye out for her yearly collections and be sure to pop in to see them.

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Olivia Dar. With a passion for wanderlust and a lifelong love of artisanal traditions and Indian crafts, Italian born Olivia settled in India to begin a career designing embroideries and accessories for haute couture labels. Olivia’s career soon blossomed into a company of her own, creating a haven of fair working conditions for her employees and producing spectacular hand made jewellery, clothing and accessories. The hand beaded statement earrings in the shape of birds, fish and even jelly fish are just fabulous and the velvet embroidered purses are colourful fun! Olivia’s Nooristani coats are works of art and the embroidery on them tells a story of its own.

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Sophie Theakston. Influenced by her family of jewellers, Sophie has an inherent love of jewellery. Returning to college to study jewellery design and production, Sophie’s love became a passion. Fascinated by ancient designs and beliefs, Sophie’s pieces are permeated with symbolism and each made with 18 carat gold and gemstones. Sophie truly believes that a person’s jewellery represents their lifestyle and tells the tale of their journey and loves the “sense of permanence and that deeper connection with who we are and what we hold dear.” Sophie’s collections include striking rings, elegant earrings, easy-to-wear bracelets and dainty necklaces and I think they are stunning.  

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If you are a designer and think your pieces might harmonise well with our own pieces and those of the designers we love, please don’t hesitate to email us and get in touch. We support talent in all shapes and sizes and would love to help you boost your brand if it complements our own. 
 
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Artisanal Artistry

Artisanal Artistry

Artisanal Artistry

With a love for all things exquisite, over the years, I have curated what I see as a haven for the unique. In a buzzing climate of exponential growth in the material world, I would like to take a minute to honour the artisans, without whom none of this would be possible. Artisans, myself included, are a special breed! Our minds are sponges, continuously soaking up ideas and dreaming, often spending many hours on an idea before it is even put down on paper. The amount of work behind creating a piece of art on any scale is astounding and the thought process can be exhausting. The incredible crafts honed by artisans are often neglected and the final piece of art undervalued. Crafting requires a creative mind and a whole lot of patience! I for one hugely appreciate the work of all artisans near and far and not only love working with them to create my own pieces but I also love supporting, encouraging and promoting them as much as possible. The stories behind the crafting process are as wonderful as the outcome and any small irregularities are part of the journey the item has been on before it becomes yours.

Here are a few artisans and artisanal crafts I am particularly enamoured with and would love for you to know more about.

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Decoupage. Handmade by artisan sisters in the UK, our collection of decoupage pieces is always a conversation starter. For those of you who aren’t familiar with decoupage, it’s a decorative art dating back to the 12th century. A picture is meticulously cut out and applied using many layers of varnish, creating a final effect that is so perfect it looks as though it has been hand painted. A favourite of mine are the decoupaged soaps; soaps so pretty you won’t want to use them, but you can! Each one takes quite a few hours to make and they are the perfect gift. Pop by to see the coasters from the same artisans as well as the beautiful vases, pots, boxes and bowls.

SHOP CANDLES, SOAPS AND SCENTS
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Paper-cut Domes. These domes are breathtakingly beautiful. A whole paper cut village is created inside a glass dome, with pictures of our favourite landmarks in Ibiza. Made exclusively for us, these Ibiza domes feature iconic venues in the including the lovely villages of San Joan and our very own Santa Gertrudis. Paper-cut pieces are mounted onto wire to create the 3-d effect of the village and the whole scene is forever encapsulated inside a glass dome – spectacular and such fiddly work! Available in 3 sizes, pop in to choose your favourite. The perfect centrepiece for your coffee table or mantelpiece.

SHOP UNIQUE PIECES
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Laurance. Fascinated by the endless possibilities of clay, Laurance’s visions shine through in her amazingly quirky and fabulous pieces of pottery. Greatly inspired by cultural travel through lands afar, Laurance not only moulds her pieces but also hand paints them. Each design is brought to life through consistency and colour and each one is somehow more wonderfully whimsical than the next. 

La Galeria Elefante Ibiza

Block Printing. What an astonishing craft! I will never tire of the beauty of hand block printing. Many of you may not fully know about the amount of work that goes into a hand block printed item before the final piece is ready. Hand block printing is predominantly a 5-step process and requires the input of 5 different artisans. If you take a dress for example, it will have been stitched by one artisan, hand dyed by another, hand block printed by a third, quality controlled by a fourth and the design of the prints is done by yet another person! Our hand block printing can be seen on many of our pieces, including the very pretty collection we curate every year with the Women’s Interlink Foundation in India – a whole team of skilled artisans who have been rescued from an underprivileged life and taught a trade. Read more about block printing and about WIF here.

SHOP THE WOMEN'S INTERLINK FOUNDATION
La Galeria Elefante Ibiza
La Galeria Elefante Ibiza
La Galeria Elefante Ibiza

Ibiza Espadrilles. The island of Ibiza has a magic of its own. It has been the muse of many an artist and artisan over the years and has been the birthplace of many a wonderful craft. High on our list of artisanal delights are the Ibiza Espadrille Sandals. The perfect footwear for island hopping in floaty Bohemian dresses or shirts & shorts. They are handmade true to a traditional island craft. They have a rounded toe and can be fastened with the Roman strap closure. The string technique allows your feet to breathe and because they are so light, it feels like you are walking barefoot! Worn by the traditional, folkloric “Ball Pagès” dancers, these lovely sandals are inspired by the light, the sea and the Ibiza breeze and each pair is meticulously worked from natural cactus fibres and has a rubber soul. Passed down through the generations, this is a local artisan craft that we feel is important to keep alive, not only because we love the sandals, but also because it is an incredible craft.

SHOP BAGS, PURSES AND SHOES
If you are a creative soul yourself or know someone who is, please do encourage them to bring their ideas to life. If you’re looking for inspiration don’t hesitate to pop in to La Galeria Elefante or come and spend a crafternoon with me in my studio in the hills. Together we can keep crafts alive and support artisanal talent.
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John Lewis x La Galeria Elefante Capsule Collection

La Galeria Elefante x John Lewis Summer 2021
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The whirlwind world of fashion is as exhilarating as it is absolutely exhausting, but I wouldn’t have it any other way! Humbled by the success of our first collaboration, I was over the moon to be asked to create a new dress collection for John Lewis this summer.
Textiles and prints are one of my biggest passions and so together with the amazingly efficient and all-round wonderful team at John Lewis, the new prints were chosen and the 2021 capsule collection emerged, along with the first of the summer sunshine, in May.
The collection features floaty boho maxi & midi dresses, in soft sustainable cotton and sheer chiffon. The designs, inspired by global textiles, nature and the beauty of Ibiza, include pretty florals, paisleys and abstract prints.
Each piece tells its own story.
The inspiration for the prints in the Summer 2021 collection are definitely related to my world travels and to traditional printing techniques, childhood fairy tales the crystal clear waters, the scent of the pine forests, beautiful sunsets and the incredible clear light and blue skies of Ibiza.
Included in this year’s collection, with bespoke alterations, are the Lyrical Dress,
the Kimono Dress, the Cosmic Dress, the Suzie Dress and the Jody Dress.

The Lyrical Dress

La Galeria Elefante Ibiza
La Galeria Elefante Ibiza
Mosaic Tile Print La Galeria Elefante Ibiza

The Lyrical Dress. The blue star mosaic print was inspired by traditionally handmade floor tiles discovered on a trip to Morocco. This ankle-grazing dress has a tiered skirt and a deep v-neck front, giving it a beautifully bohemian look and it can be dressed up with boots or dressed down with a simple pair of sandals. The open v-neck front leads to an elasticated waist, making it a very flattering fit as it has a matching sash that can be worn as a belt, around the neck like a scarf or even as a head band! The pretty, puffy short sleeves are ruffled at the hems. There are poppers on an elasticated collar at the back of the neck giving an easy fit on the shoulders.
Complete with deep side pockets, John Lewis says this is a dress you can really rely on and I agree!
Available in black and white, bold floral block print, or Blue Star Tile.
Available at John Lewis and Peter Jones, London, in-store and online.
Also available on our own website in other pretty prints (our one has a much more open back.)

The Cosmic Dress

The Cosmic Dress. The “Cosmic” dress in floaty blue chiffon, is a classic paisley with a floral twist and enlarged print, inspired by trips to India, incorporating bold colours and intricate patterns. The shape has a bohemian feel with a touch of the Feminine Pirate (!) which is the ultimate female experience here in Ibiza… inspired by the ’60s mood and “the summer of love” – feeling free and comfortable, easy to wear. This wonderful ’70s chic chiffon dress is loose fitting and long midi length. Beautifully tiered from the breast area and floaty, it features bishop sleeves with pretty detailed shirring gathering over the shoulder and top arm and a tie collar that can be worn open or closed. According to John Lewis, this dress “ticks all the style boxes thanks to the elastic shirring on the upper sleeve and cuff…”
Available from John Lewis and Peter Jones, London, in-store and online, in navy
paisley or pink floral ‘romantic bloom’, inspired by dreamy moments in my garden and vintage textiles.
Also available from us in other pretty prints and colours.

The Suzie Dress

La Galeria Elefante Ibiza
La Galeria Elefante Ibiza
La Galeria Elefante Ibiza

The Suzie Dress. A knee length casual shirt-style dress with a touch of retro-inspired charm created by the pleating all the way around front and back of the chest area and also front and back of the drop waist area. The print is a classic paisley with a floral twist and enlarged print, inspired by trips to India, incorporating bold colours and vintage charm.
Available from John Lewis and Peter Jones, London, in-store and online and from us in-store in other pretty prints. The John Lewis suggestion is to “just add sandals in the summer, but why not layer it over a roll neck and boots in the
winter to get all year round wear”.

The Jody Dress

The Jodie Dress is our own signature boho maxi dress, but with a few bespoke alterations. The print inspired by the sun, sand and sea of Ibiza, makes this the perfect holiday dress. This long, cotton maxi dress has a tiered skirt, perfect for twirling in. Its bohemian style is matched by the blouson sleeves and frilled, square neckline, with elastic shirring under the bust to define your shape and make way for the flared A-line cut. John Lewis suggests that this dress “speaks volumes as it is” and to “just add sandals.”
Available in a yellow geometric fern leaf print from John Lewis and Peter Jones, London, in-store and online and on our own website in a number of different pretty hand block prints and colours.

The Kimono Dress

The Kimono Dress. The long cotton v-neck dress is an all time favourite. It has 2 small buttons with loops at the breast area and a tie at the back of the fitted waistband that enhances the flare to a full skirt accented by the above-the-wrist-length kimono wide sleeves. The beautiful print is inspired by the island’s sea and John Lewis says “invest in the dress you’re going to want to turn to all summer long.”
Available in a blue geometric fern leaf print from John Lewis and Peter Jones, London, in-store and online.
Also in a number of pretty hand block prints on our own website.

These versatile dresses can be dressed up or dressed down – for beach, or dinner, or shopping in the market, great for festivals and weddings and easy summer garden parties too. Also those with long sleeve styles are perfect for winter with a chunky oversize sweater and boots.

I hope you enjoy this collection as much as I enjoyed creating it with the John Lewis team and sincerely thank everyone involved.

SHOP THE COLLECTION

Ikat Weaving

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My fascination with textiles began at quite a young age and has escalated into full blown LOVE.
Beautiful prints, patterns and weavings always catch my eye but investigating the intricacies of how these patterns on woven textiles are made has really become a passion. These different types of age old crafts have incredible stories behind them and one of my missions is to keep these crafts from disappearing.
These techniques are so utterly incredible that I truly believe they must never disappear so that future generations can admire them as much as I do!
Kantha stitching and hand block printing are two favourite techniques of mine but the more I learn about Ikat, the more I fall in love with it

Ikat is possibly one of the oldest forms of textile decoration. This intricate weaving technique uses a method called resist-dye in which the yarns are tightly wrapped and dyed before the fabric is weaved. Used to pattern textiles, the ikat technique is very tricky to perfect but end results are a true work of art.

Due to the complexity of the technique, Ikat has been known to symbolise wealth and prestige. Most prevalent in Central Asia, Indonesia, India and Japan, ikat is also found in many cultures and is known as daraee in Persian which translates as wealth, and this fabric is often included in a bride’s dowry during wedding ceremonies.

The word ikat in Indonesian literally means to tie or to bind.

Ikat is popular all around the world and many different cultures have their own adaptation of it, each just as intricate as the next. The main types of ikat weaving are weft, warp and the magnificent double ikat. I won’t go into too much detail here but if you would like to find out more about these amazing techniques, visit our Artisanal Crafts page.

Weft – the crosswise threads on a loom that are passed over and under the warp threads to make cloth and the weft yarns are dyed a solid colour.

Warp – the lengthwise or longitudinal threads on a loom over and under which the weft threads are passed to make cloth.

Double ikat – both the warp and weft yarns are tied and dyed before being woven into a single textile. Double ikats are understandably quite rare.

The long wall hanging pictured above is one of my favourites and is a Sumba vintage ceremonial piece, made using vegetable dyes, double ikat weave and the mirror-image technique.

If all you can think about now is the beauty of ikat, pop in and browse my lovely collection of pretty ikat prints.

Also available in a number of different ikats is the gorgeously funky Ikat Kirsty Coat like the one I am wearing. These fantastic coats are fun and easy to wear long coats made from a cotton/silk traditional ikat. They feature a collar, side pockets and a pretty hand block cotton print lining. No two are the same and each one was designed by me, with love.

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Hand Block Printing

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Hand block printing is a favourite craft of mine. Many of you may have seen some of the final results of this method on beautiful clothing, but have you ever stopped to think how these prints are brought to life?
Hand block printing is a skill that requires the patience of a saint! I have always collected old hand blocks, which are a work of art in themselves, even before they are used as printing blocks. Depending on the print, sometimes multiple blocks per motif are used!

Hand carved patterns are sculpted from blocks of wood to essentially create a stamp. The stamp is then dipped in inks or dyes (wherever possible we prefer to use vegetable dyes) and then the process of manually stamping the print onto large rolls of fabric begins. How could you not love this wonderful method of printing?

Not only does this skill produce incredible prints, it is also one of the more sustainable methods around as the fabric must first be soaked in water to remove starchiness in the fibre and many Indian artisans will do this in the local rivers, reducing the need for water consumption.

Sourcing trips to India always include a visit to Jaipur where I thoroughly enjoy watching the chippas (a caste of printers) bring the whole process to life. Always working with small family businesses and doing my part to make sure they are working in fair conditions, one of my main passions is to keep this amazing craft alive. This is mostly done by associations teaching those less fortunate the skill and how to implement it.

Help us to keep this incredible craft from disappearing by supporting fair trade whenever you can.

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Victoria Made With Love & Laughter – The Label

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Take a life-long wanderlust and passion for global textiles and crafts, add a natural curiosity for the exquisite, sprinkle this with childhood fairytales and the bohemian beauty of Ibiza, and you have the deliciously eclectic Victoria Made With Love & Laughter label. Designed by the owner and creative force of La Galeria Elefante, Victoria Durrer Gasse, the label features chic fashion, accessories and homeware collections that give you the freedom to express yourself. Each piece tells its own story. Either unique or produced in small quantities to ensure its authenticity. And expertly crafted by small family businesses and NGOs around the world. Celebrating artisan communities from India to Madagascar, Guatemala to Ibiza, we’ll take you on a journey when you shop with us.

The clothing range features floaty boho dresses in soft cottons and hand block prints as well as tops, tunics, coats, jackets, trousers, skirts and jumpsuits in cosy cashmeres, wool, hand spun silk, silk satins and vibrant velvets. The popular ‘Frilly Rock’ bikini and our ‘Triangle’ Bikini that comes in a pouch which doubles as a beach purse available in our swimwear range in the most gorgeous cotton and silk prints. Although many pieces are unisex, new for 2020 is our menswear collection of cotton hand block printed long sleeved shirts and swim shorts in bright hand block prints with contrasting lining.

Our luxury accessories consist of beautiful scarves in cashmere, wool, soft cotton, velvet and silk, some plain and others in hand block prints, botanical prints or hand embroidered. A wonderful selection of bags, including some twisted vintage velvet designs made from antique ceremonial hats with ribbon and funky button details. Cummerbunds in liberty prints and kantha-stitched cottons, wool slippers, block printed eye masks and pyjamas and an extraordinary collection of jewellery.

The whimsical homeware collection covers an expanding line of soft furnishings – cushions with gorgeous hand embroidered details, vintage fabric cushions with velvet and ribbon details, silk velvet blankets with silk ball trim, hand crocheted bedspreads, ribbon curtains, macrame curtains with crystals, hand embroidered tea towels, pillow cases, lavender filled velvet nap cushions, pouches and eye masks. To adorn your walls, signature artworks include hand made signs in the shape of a wing or eye, or with the messages ‘love and peace’, ‘magic’ and the ever popular ‘fuck-it’. From her studio nearby, Victoria also makes original bird nest lamps and lampshades to decorate your home.

Other labels by Victoria include ‘Sunny Day’, a cotton casual-wear collaboration with Penny McIvor, made by the Women’s Interlink Foundation. Partnerships include Monsoon, Urban Outfitters, John Lewis & Partners and Victoria is always open to further collaborations. Victoria Made With Love & Laughter fashion, accessories and homeware pieces are available exclusively online, in La Galeria Elefante concept store in Santa Gertrudis, Ibiza and in pop-ups around the world. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to journey with us on new adventures.

Meet Victoria Durrer Gasse the Elly founder & curator

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My very first visit to Ibiza was with my mother in 1970 and I of course fell hopelessly in love with the island way back then, spending every summer here thereafter. The scent of the pine forests, the sea, the sunsets, the relaxed vibe, the hippies and all the dirt roads really captivated me. Three month long summer holidays were a luxury and when we were lucky enough to come for Easter too, I was just in heaven!

As you can imagine, Ibiza in the ’70s was another world! There were very few tarmac roads, mostly all were dirt roads known as caminos, and as young teenagers we made our way from beaches to nightclubs on funky Mobylette mopeds. Perfect days were spent exploring the islands’ hidden coves with crystal clear waters, swimming with friends at sunset and dancing until dawn at the nightclubs; Pacha and the infamous KU were among our favourites. Sailing to and around Formentera with groups of friends on their boats, teenagers and kids camping on Espalmador, whilst parents slept on the boats enjoying their own parties under the moonlit sky. Memories of those summers are visions of picnics, laughter, music, dancing and my first kiss… all sweet joyous teenage awkwardness touched by salt, sand and the love of this island.

In the late ’90s, my husband François and I decided to move here permanently after our son Emile was born. Finding our dream house, an old finca perched on the top of a hill in Santa Agnes, was the first step to calling Ibiza home and we have never looked back. Using many traditional methods we have slowly renovated our home over the years and there really is nothing I love more than waking up to an incredible sunrise across the valley and taking long, country walks with my family and gorgeous dog Pluto.

I was approached in 2010 by my friend Sharon, owner of the La Galeria Elefante building and we began the journey of turning La Galeria Elefante into the beautiful, museum-like treasure trove that it is today. We recently dissolved our partnership and I am now the sole business owner, working hard with my incredible team to make La Galeria Elefante one of the most inspiring shops on the island to visit.

In business and in my private life I love to travel and so sourcing unique pieces for the shop is almost like a hobby. I am fortunate enough to be able to mix business with pleasure and am able to go to many places where I can explore the terrain of textiles, enjoy great food, cafes, meet new people and walk around and discover local markets. This opens up the doors to finding new NGOs to work with all over the world as collaborations with small businesses and talented artisans are a huge part of what we love to do best.

Winters are spent creating in my studio at home and preparing trips to India and Nepal to work with the NGOs and the Nepalese foundation. In recent years I have also made some amazing work relationships and can now proudly say that many of my Victoria Made With Love & Laughter items have been found in shops we love like Urban Outfitters & John Lewis.