It’s exciting to see a brand that started from literally ground zero slowly start to grow into itself. A brand that knows where it’s going. I found Victoria Bolt on instagram or did she find me, either way I’m glad we found each other. Tor as she calls herself hand makes plant hangers and rope bags made out of 100% recycled yarns. Her bags are kitsch, colourful and I’m sure the next it bag, mark my words. Her rope bags have already been featured in Vogue Magazine!!!! Her plant hangers come in array of beautiful colours and look so chic hanging from the ceiling of your home or in my case my clothing rail. I’m looking forward to watching her brand flourish into a full grown homeware brand.
I had the chance to have a lovely chit chat with Tor. Read on to find out more about this lovely lovely woman and her brand!
TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF. WHAT IS YOUR BACKGROUND?
I live at home, in Stourbridge, UK - with my fiancee John and our two amazing kids, Theo and Tilly. I've been creative ever since I can remember and this continued on through - leading me to study Fine Art at Bristol University. Once I'd graduated, I temporarily fell out of love with making work - as the pressure to produce pieces, sapped the joy for me. It was around this time that I met John, we decided we wanted to travel the world together - so we both worked really hard and saved to do so. Not long before we planned to go, we found out I was expecting Theo, so this flipped our world on it's head and changed our lived for the better ! I was a stay at home mum for both of them until they began school - Hanga was born around the time Tilly started and it's been non stop ever since !
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO START HANGA?
A mixture of factors that came together at the right time I think. I used to sell handpicked, vintage kids clothes through Instagram - this gave me a taste, but in hindsight I really didn't know what I was doing ! I've had a mixture of jobs that just weren't me at all, but I believe there's opportunity to learn from everything, those sales and admin jobs taught me how to chase leads, get sales, stay on top of admin etc. All of which are vital when running your own business, especially as I do everything myself - being organised is literally key! My style reflects my love of mixing preloved and new - that goes for our home too. I've always said "I like what I like", irregardless of how much something is or where it came from - I love nothing more than finding amazing clothes or homewares from charity shops and I still get a buzz from it. Hanga began with me wanting to make vintage inspired, plant hangers for our home - I'd seen some around, but the colours just weren't doing it for me ! I literally started making them out of garden jute - once I felt confident with techniques I'd learnt, I began researching recycled ropes and started making. It then organically grew from there - with friends wanting to buy from me, then friends of friends and so on.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR COLLECTION, WHAT INSPIRED YOUR CURRENT COLLECTION?
My current collection is a mixture of my Rope Bags, Bespoke Bags, Plant Hangers and cute Key Chains. Everything I make is created using high quality, 100% recycled ropes and they come in the most beautiful colours. I'm aware of colour and seasonal trends, so this feeds into my palette. Hanga supports the slow fashion movement - my pieces are all handmade by me and materials are ethically sourced here in the UK too. I guess my collection has been inspired by a desire to be a sustainable brand, to support a slower way of life - but to do that in a stylish way.
WHAT DOES SUSTAINABILITY MEAN TO YOU?
Sustainability to me means living with our means, to make considered choices, investing in clothes and products that are made to last and really trying to have an awareness of where things come from.
FOR SOMEONE THAT IS TRYING TO BECOME A MORE CONCIOUS BUYER, WHAT TIPS DO YOU HAVE FOR THEM?
You can become a more conscious buyer overnight. Maybe starting buy donating unwanted clothes or homewares to your local charity shops - that directly benefits your community, you feel good for doing so and you also free up space for any investment pieces on the horizon ! Having an interest in where you things come from and who's made them, also saving up and buying expensive pieces that are made to last. I have some jeans and coats that I've been wearing since I was at Uni 16 years ago and they'e still going strong ! Finally, I think you can also support slow fashion by really looking after what you already own - following care instructions, washing denim inside out etc
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR STYLE? FASHION AND INTERIORS.
I guess my style is eclectic - I spend most of my time wearing jeans and t shirt, but I do also every now and then love wearing really feminine pieces. I have a strong sense of what I like, I never like to match things - that goes for how I dress and also how I style our home. Both are a mixture of vintage and modern and I think that translates to any style - if you're true to taste and confident in how you put things together, you will always nail it. I've learnt to be brave - sometimes things don't work and that's ok !
WHO ARE YOU FAVOURITE DESIGNERS?
One of my current favourite sustainable designers, is another small brand called ROOP. Natalie and I have become friends through our work, she make the most beautiful scrunchie handbags, using deadstock fabric - and she is a force ! Go check her out !
WHERE DO YOU GO FOR INSPIRATION?
I take inspiration from life around me, from artists I like, music, fashion, nature - anywhere. I'm always taking photos and scribbling ideas down, my memory is awful - so I have to keep a note ! I do take inspiration from 70s style - colour pallets, styling etc, but I like to bring those ideas up to date and keep them fresh. I have a long term plan and a vision of where I want Hanga to go - to do this you need to stay ahead and stay true to your style.
IF YOU COULD COLLABORATE WITH ANYONE WHO WOULD THIS BE? WHY?
I would love to collaborate with more like minded designers - who are pushing sustainabilty through their work, on all platforms.
DO YOU LISTEN TO MUSIC WHILE YOU ARE DESIGNING? IF YES, WHO ARE YOU LISTENING TO NOW?
I love music and our family home is certainly a lively one ! We love going to gigs and festivals, it's always been a big part of our lives - but actually when I work, I work in complete silence ! I find it almost meditative and so relaxing - I guess working from home, especially a family home, those moments of peace and calm are like gold dust.
FOR SOMEONE THAT IS WANTING TO START UP THEIR OWN BUSINESS, WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR THEM?
That if you have an urge to do something - then you need to just go for it. This global pandemic has forced my hand and made me throw everything into it - which has been pretty nerve wracking, but equally as exciting ! I've been feeling the shift recently of going from 'maker to brand' - I guess Hanga is organically growing and I still can't believe how far I've come in less than a year. I think if you love what you do, whatever that is - and you feel fullfilled, then that to me is success. I'm so willing to go the extra mile - work long into the night and give this my all, because it's all mine and I feel joy everything I design and make something.
ANY NEWS? OR SOMETHING INTERESTING YOU WOULD LIKE TO LEAVE US WITH?
Hanga has been featured in June's edition of British Vogue - with my Teal Rope Bag. I'm still in shock to be honest, it's an incredible honour and one that I doubt I'll ever live down!
