The Volon: the handbag label you need to know
From the intriguing origin of its unusual name to the cultural phenomena that inspire its designs, discover everything you need to know about bag brand THE VOLON
One of the first homegrown Korean handbag brands to achieve global success in the luxury high-fashion market, The Volon is nothing short of a fashion and business pioneer. Launched in 2013 by creative director Eujung Jang, who also goes by the name E.J., the Seoul-based label quickly garnered a cult fashion following – everyone from Leandra Medine and Olivia Palermo to Gilda Ambrosio and Veronika Heilbrunner have been spotted carrying the label’s instantly recognizable designs in recent seasons – thanks to its ultra-sleek, structured shapes, striking use of color and various collaborations with fine artists across the world, such as Donguk Kim and Lee Sol.
Having studied music at university and worked in interior design before launching The Volon, E.J. continues to be inspired by fine art, architecture and Korean art history, all of which is reflected in her approach to design. The brand’s signature ‘Cindy Flower’ bag, for example, was inspired by a hanbok – a traditional Korean dress reserved for formal celebrations. “I don’t try to convince myself that I am super-talented at one specific thing like other artists, but I was always confident that I could understand the beauty of art and design and felt that I was pretty adept at harmonizing them,” E.J. has said in the past of her decision to move into fashion. Today, every collection continues to be made in The Volon’s atelier in Seoul by a team a highly skilled local artisans.
Just like its multifaceted designs, the brand name even has a clever double meaning that perfectly encapsulates its Korean roots and global pioneering spirit. Firstly, the word ‘Volon’ was inspired by a famous phrase by Swiss philosopher and composer Jean-Jacques Rousseau, “la volonté de tous”, meaning, “the will of all”. It is this idea, says E.J., that remains at the core of the brand, which strives to create pieces that are desirable to everybody, not just reserved for fashion lovers. What’s more, when pronounced in Korean, ‘Volon’ also translates as “main contents” – in other words, The Volon is designed to be the main topic of discussion.
“The name Volon was inspired by a phrase by Swiss philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau, “la volonté de tous”, meaning, “the will of all”
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So, what can fans of the label expect for FW19? Working alongside Korean graphic artist Lee Sol and taking inspiration from the super-simple, angular construction of a box, the collection is a masterclass in clean lines and stark, minimalist silhouettes. Look to the season’s glossed, croc-effect ‘Chateau’ bag – which can be worn on the shoulder or across the body with its chain strap, or carried in hand as a clutch – as the ultimate day-to-night companion, to take you from boardroom to bar in style. For something smaller, the ‘Po Box’ and ‘Po Trunk’ shoulder bags are both ultra-compact yet still spacious enough to house your daily essentials – the interiors feature a built-in mirror and pocket for convenient storage. And then there is the micro-sized ‘Po Cube’, a dainty, box-like tote, complete with a chunky gold-tone and acrylic chain strap. With so many shapes, sizes and colors on offer, these truly are bags for all style personalities.