The story about our most popular product: "Vendingurinn".

By Katla HreiðarsdóttirJuly 27, 2015

(English below)

This unique and slightly “twisted” design was first released in our store 2010. Named for the way it wraps and twists around the neck, this piece has a funky-edged, yet elegant layered look that sets it apart as an original Icelandic inspired design

With a line more like a cape, the “Vendingur” has an enigmatically sexy hood (which can be worn on or off the head… depending on how you feel that day!) and a connected wrap- around scarf.

This alluring piece can be worn in numerous unusual ways to create various different flattering and funky looks. Also adding to its unique design, the renowned “Volcano Design logo” features in black on the side of the garment… for you to show off at your will.

Available in three sizes, this old-school-charming design is appealing on all body types! The “Vendingur” can be worn with almost anything to finish off your look with a quirky, unique and very Icelandic style.

I designed this piece because at this time I had many tops and dresses with bat-wing sleeves and wearing coats and jackets with tight sleeves didn't really work.

So basically this idea came as a solution to a problem! Another solution which I found this design to fix was layering of sweaters. You see, the weather in Iceland can vary quite drastically and rapidly and having to layer clothes is very needed here sometimes, but I also wanted it to work as a semi light jacket. That it did also.

This is how it works:

Snap at the front, put the hood on, make a cross, behind the head, fix slightly and voilà!

Another way is to use it as an open cape, simple snap the buttons (one is enough) under the coat and behind your back, voilá voilá!

We never expected the acceptance to be so great but it became super popular super fast! We got it design protected to safe it from copies but I soon saw it being home-made all around town, so we started labelling the piece on the outside with the embroidered Volcano Design logo and the original got more appreciated.

Sadly we had some company's that copied my design, and fabric stores that sold the pattern without asking and without paying any royalties. It was hard for me but especially because they were stealing work from my employees! We protected it with a lawyer and won every case, having it protected really paid off. But what I found especially sad was that they didn't even ask! Asking doesn't cost anything and taking this that way we might have found a way to work together.

I find this to be a way to common problem here in Iceland, the lack of respect for other people's design. As a designer my work involves me getting an idea to a real and hopefully sellable product. It's a process that sometimes takes a long long time, many prototypes and failures before reaching the final goal. It is the same with authors, they write a book and become the authors of that book. It wouldn't occur to anyone to copy that book and sign with their own name underneath! That is called a plagiarism, we all know this and would find such a breach ridiculous! The same has to be for design, but it seems like we haven't reached the weight of importance, I do however feel we will with more designers, various product supplies and growing attention and popularity, Icelandic design will hopefully gain the respect it reserves!