Like many artists and seekers before her, local designer Laura Wiet was inspired California’s golden beaches and laid-back vibe.
Three years ago, she drove with strangers to the Golden State and came home with the idea to create her own scarf line, called Gitana – the word means gypsy in Spanish and sums up Wiet’s hunger for travel and adventure.
She was 27 at the time with a month off work. None of her friends were available for a lengthy getaway, so Wiet bravely (or foolishly) took to Craigslist to find fellow travellers – a British guy and a couple from the Netherlands – to make the road trip with her.
“We drove from here down to San Francisco, then parted ways, then I actually drove back with this guy who lived on a boat in Seattle and this homeless girl. I wasn’t nervous on the way back, but I was on the way down. I was like what am I doing? What if these people are going to murder me?” she laughs.
It was a brazen getaway that paid off, rousing in her the idea to merge her fashion design expertise with her self-taught love of graphic design.
“I’m really into graphic design, as well as accessory design, so I wanted to find a way to combine my love of graphic design in a wearable way,” Wiet explains.
Along with California, she is also drawn to Mexico’s beautiful coastlands.
“I’ve been to Mexico 20-plus times, and I’ve just always been really inspired by their culture, their art, and their beaches.”
For her first Gitana collection, she used the photographs from her travels for the graphics on the fabric. The line featured silk scarves with palm trees set inside moody blue and purple tones. Another scarf inspired by her coastal tours, aptly called Baja, is a psychedelic piece with fluorescent clouds, a disco-ball moon and colourful cacti.
But it’s her spring 2014 capsule collection that is one of the most fetching. It’s peppered with Pop Art humour, including a baby blue scarf with a darling banana print. Vintage black roses also make their way into the collection, along with cute cacti and Aztec geometric shapes.
The only problem – many of the past collections are sold out as she produces small runs for the purpose of exclusivity. Wiet is used to hearing from people who visit her website and want to find the out-of-stock pieces. If there is enough demand for a piece and she’s able, Wiet will sometimes re-release it.
There’s no question Wiet is a busy traveller, juggling both a full-time job as a designer for lululemon’s popular active line for girls, ivivva, along with her Gitana line, which also includes canvas purses, headbands, and in-demand kimonos. Currently in stock, she has the Venice Kimono ($150) in the morning mountain print; the bold blue, purple, and black wavy print was inspired by Wiet’s own backyard. And then we go back to California with the Palms scarf ($78), a mixture of palm trees and soft blue ombre drawn from a photo Wiet took in southern California. One of the best aspects of her scarves is that they require little dress-up. They are stunning statement pieces that stand on their own. Throw one on with a white T-shirt, denim pants or shorts, and sandals, and you’re set for a summer festival.
Her latest capsule collection – inspired by fruit (watermelon gets heavy play) – is set to come out next month. Keep an eye on Gitana’s website, GitanaOutfitters.com, or look for the line locally at Woo To See You in Yaletown.
