JoeysCoat: A Study in Generosity and Beauty Combined...

Not everyone is suited for Island living. A sudden impulse for a night out on the town, or the need for something specific not carried by one of our local retailers must be planned around a ferry, therefore one either embraces the remote lifestyle and views certain impediments as a gift or they move to the mainland, keeping our population at approximately 11,000 residents through natural attrition.

Even with such worldly limitations we do in fact have a local storage facility. It is a new structure, architecturally pleasing as far as storage facilities go, well maintained and discreetly tucked away behind our tiny Post Office.

Each year, the facility holds a sale. Stalls are opened and the treasures housed are neatly displayed by their owners for public sale, thus culling any items that may have fallen out of favor and making room for more to store.

Attending the annual sale is one of my summer rituals for I have never once left it disappointed. I was exceptionally fortunate this year to happen upon a stall whose owner was obviously in the business of selling high-end rugs, towels and various other household linens. On this day, he was not only selling actual product. Off to the side was a box filled with sample swatches of merino wool, mohair, cashmere and baby alpaca, all neatly attached to black hang-tags bearing a French label. I knew at once this was a special find.

Carefully digging through the contents of the box, I was acutely aware of the softness and texture of the fine wool. I asked about pricing and the gentleman asked what I would do with the tiny bits of material. I shared with him the story of JoeysCoat. He then told me to choose whatever I liked – it was his gift to me.

I brought the wee swatches of luxury wool to Dana’s studio. She instantly recognized their potential and began to imagine the couture coats she would design from the cache.

My meetings with Dana have developed into a playful ceremony all our own. I pull, one at a time from my shopping basket, treasures I have accumulated during our time apart. Oddly, there is always something in the lot that is precisely what Dana is missing for a design she has in process. We laugh at the irony. Then Dana unveils her latest creations. As I study the details of each coat, I am reminded of where and when and how I happened upon the riches she has artfully combined to compose JoeysCoat treasure.

At our last meeting, three of the “treaures” were ingeniously conceived from the wee swatches of luxury wool in true JoeysCoat couture fashion.

While contemplating this blog, I decided to do some research about the extraordinary fabrics given to me. I typed in the initials BVT embroidered on the label. A multitude of articles came up, all in French. BVT stands for Brun De Vian-Tiran, Manufacture Francaise – 1808. A woolen mill founded by a father, his son, and his son-in-law on the banks of the Sorgue River. The company still thrives working out of the original mill built more than 200 years ago.

The official website contains information on the history of the company, the countries and the indigenous animals that produce the wool, and their code of ethics:

RESPECT – The collection of the fibers purchased is carried out with respect for the animals and the animal populations involved.

AUTHENTICITY – The label “Textile de France” officially recognizes and guarantees all articles have been manufactured in France: all processing, spinning, weaving, finishing, takes place in the original Mill.

ENVIRONMENT – The manufacturing of products is undertaken with full respect for nature, in particular the river Sorgues which has supplied the pure water and energy necessary for fabric finishing since 1808.

HEALTH – Brun de Vian-Tiran uses only natural fibers.