VAHO Trashion

Nyss insnubblad i Barcelona tog Mrs Telecom och jag en promenad på lördagskvällen innan middagen. Om du varit Barcelona en lördagskväll så vet du hur fantastiskt gatorna, butikerna och restaurangerna lever. Mrs Telecom och jag fick en inspirerande stund genom att glida in i lite olika butiker och affärer. Den första vi gick in i var VAHO. Vi köpte varsin väska och fler lär det bli innan det bär av till Avlånga Landet igen.

Fantastiskt annorlunda, kul och snygga väskor... Du hittar allt om dem på engelska och katalanska på  http://www.vaho.ws/en/public

Så här skriver de om sig själva på http://www.vaho.ws/en/about_vaho

Giving trash a second chance

At the farewell moment, just before saying goodbye, the objects and materials that we throw away sigh, with the hope to be saved. They all deserve a second chance to be reconverted and to show their new applications to that World that rejected them. For their dream to come true, they need to escape from the fate of their own cycle of life. It is part of our work to bring materials back to life and to hunt lost treasures among the trash generated by progress and modernity. And we have great fun doing it.

When imperfection is a symbol of perfection.

Our history began in Barcelona in the last century. From research and recycling attempts of a great many materials fallen into disuse came several functional, sustainable and surprising products. Above everything, the handbags made out of advertising PVC canvases stood out. We reuse banners which have been hanging from the streetlamps in cities such as Barcelona or Madrid. You will find no two handbags are the same, none of them are repeated graphically.

As we work with reused material, occasionally some imperfections could be found in the graphics. It proves that the canvases have been hung out in the open for some time. It will help you to distinguish recycled bags from those that are said to be recycled. If its not a unique piece, is not from Vaho

If it is not a unique piece, it isn’t from Vaho

The overall fabrication process is done by hand. When a campaign ends, the canvases are collected and stored. When they arrive at Vaho they are in bad condition, creased, dirty, tired and sad, but it is here where their resurrection begins. The material is classified according to its features and a graphic selection is made in order to combine colours. We wash the canvases one by one. This previous recovering process is necessary for the canvas to be used as raw material for design and tailoring. All this raises the uniqueness of these pieces, which had a previous life.

We are crazy although not alone

For the realization of most of the ideas that Vaho Works has, it is essential to get cooperation from many institutions, museums, city councils and private companies, led by people that believe in our work and that bet on innovation and sustainability.

The major part of our work is developed at the social rehabilitation workshops in the prison Model of Barcelona and at the foundation CEO el Maresme, which works with mentally handicapped people. The advertising canvases that, in the past, were destroyed, burnt and buried, have now got a longer and happier life. You give meaning to their lives. Vaho products are nowadays distributed throughout half of the world. If you don’t find them, don’t worry, they will find you.