https://valodesign.fi/blogs/news.atomVALO Design Clothing - VALO STORIES2018-10-27T17:59:00+03:00VALO Design Clothing https://valodesign.fi/blogs/news/the-valo-path2018-10-27T17:59:00+03:002024-02-15T17:04:31+02:00The VALO PathLasse Larkovuo
VALO's mission
Is to elevate human consciousness and to support in global transformation towards new sustainable earth. We believe in Re-Creating through Co-Creation - through human connection. We do our best to facilitate in building authentic communities based on human connection and freedom. Our purpose is to inspire individuals to look inwards in order to shine outwards. We aim to deconstruct all limiting society norms which are not based on the well being of the individual - spiritual and physical wellbeing.
We encourage every individual to seek his/her own way, to dream, and to build a new foundation based on those dreams.
]]>
For us VALO ismuch more than a clothing brand. It’s an ongoing, evolving vision and lifestyle, a shared journey - ignited by a shared passion towards conscious, fulfilling and expressive life.
VALO is the most authentic representation of who we are.
Clothing that we create is our material input to this world, the real mission is to set an example for others to discover their unique passion and fuelling their courage to take that passion forward.
We are all on different points on our journey, happiness and love can only arise from a personal experience.
Our mission is to encourage and help people to pursue for a full potential of that experience.
]]>
https://valodesign.fi/blogs/news/daily-inspiration-12018-10-26T15:04:00+03:002024-02-15T17:04:15+02:00Reminder from OshoLasse Larkovuo
]]>
“To be creative means to be in love with life.
You can be creative only if you love life enough that you want to enhance its beauty,
you want to bring a little more music to it,
a little more poetry to it,
a little more dance to it.”
- Osho -
]]>
https://valodesign.fi/blogs/news/daily-inspiration2018-10-23T21:22:00+03:002024-02-15T17:03:50+02:00The Little ThingsLasse LarkovuoBeing a warrior is not about physical strength or material success.
]]>
Being a warrior is not about physical strength or material success, it’s not about flaming the ego.
Vice versa.
It’s about finding your own way and your own light. Learning to trust your intuition and discovering how our actions in this world echo around us.
It’s about the little things and decisions in everyday life.
Those are the most important.
]]>
https://valodesign.fi/blogs/news/inspiration-of-the-day2018-10-19T13:24:00+03:002024-02-15T17:01:20+02:00Choosing the PathLasse Larkovuo“I was the one who chose this path”
]]>
The moment he begins to walk along it the Warrior recognises the Path. It is not always easy and there are hard times when doubts keeps him awake.
“I was the one who chose this path”.
These are the magical words.
He was the one to choose the path, and he has no complains.
]]>
https://valodesign.fi/blogs/news/october-11th-20182018-10-11T23:56:00+03:002024-02-15T17:04:52+02:00Warrior's freedomLasse Larkovuo
“The warrior knows he is free to choose his desires. And the warrior makes these decisions with courage, detachment - and sometimes with a touch of madness”
-Paulo Coelho-
]]>
https://valodesign.fi/blogs/news/interview-with-mick-pedaja2017-10-05T17:54:00+03:002023-07-24T15:37:29+03:00Interview with Mick PedajaLasse LarkovuoMore]]>
Introducing Mick Pedaja, our latest VALO Ambassador
Mick Pedaja is one of the brightest musical stars arising from the northern hemisphere. Although he has been in the spotlight for a couple of years now, he radiates humility and kindness. From the first moment we heard Mick perform live at Bling festival in Estonia, a couple of years ago, it was clear that he was on a similar mission as we are with VALO - Using his creativity and talent to spread a positive message from the heart to the world.
A year ago we were invited to provide clothing for a photoshoot for Telegram magazine, where Mick was featured on the front cover. After that first connection at Bling Festival, we knew we would want to combine our creative interests. We’ve always appreciated music as form of creative art, similar to our intentions with VALO. We shared not only professional views, but a deep personal connection. His music resonates at such a pure and honest frequency rarely heard in mainstream media, that we were inspired to deepen this connection, leading to a friendship and mutual support as creative artists. Mick performed at our Estonian Launch Event this summer and together we felt it was natural that he should become an Estonian ambassador for our brand.
However, before launching him as an VALO ambassador we wanted to have a small value based interview with him. Not only portraying him as leading Estonian artist, but to discover where his ambitions, values, and inspiration comes from.
Ambassador interview with Mick Pedaja
Tell us a little bit about the background and beginnings of your musical journey?
"Everything started from birth when I came here and entered into this world. We all open our eyes and see this world for the first time. We know a lot, but then we understand that we came here again to learn. What got me into making music? I'm listening. Listening all. My heart, nature, my wife Angie, sounds around me."
"It all begins from pretty little things. Details. Life gives a hand to you and if you're open to see and feel, then we got experiences what teaches us. Sometimes they are good and sometimes bad, but it's important to learn from them."
And what about the message that you want to send out with your music - it’s often very touching... Is there a particular message you want to send out with your lyrics and composition?
"Sometimes if I make music, I don't know exactly what I want to say to the people. I just write lyrics what are coming from inside and from emotions."
"Some day I recognize the real point of the song. Often the story of a song is walking with you through the life and it says different points at different periods of life. And of course I would like to say for all the people.. Now is the right time and century when we have to look around us."
"Open your eyes!"
"Show your love to yourself and world, but at the time be careful cause everything what's coming is not good.”
What are your core personal values?
"It's simple. Live in the present.”
What makes Mick Pedaja happy?
"Being together with my wife Angie and family. And good chocolate cake of course :)”
What do you think is your purpose in this world?
"I don't know it and I don't want to know. I just do what I do. In the past I thinked about it a lot, but learned that it's important to but your energy to the present. Just living and seeing what life gives you."
How could we make the world a better place?
"When you show your love to the world, hold that planet like he's your child. Love animals, don't use them as a product and food. Like I said before, everything is going to happen from little things. We all are parts of this amazing world and it's important."
And finally, what's your perception of VALO Design Clothing? ;)
"I feel a bigger picture of VALO clothing. I remember when I was introduced to your work and at the first sight I saw there's something that I really like. I really appreciate that VALO clothes are easy, beautiful and comfortable.”
We want to welcome give Mick a warm welcome to our our VALO tribe as an ambassador! Love to have a new Warrior of Light on board!
Here are a few of Mick's perfomances and his latest music video HOME
]]>
https://valodesign.fi/blogs/news/sparking-the-fire2017-04-18T07:35:00+03:002023-07-24T15:37:27+03:00Sparking the Fire!Lasse Larkovuo
Burning man in the desert of Black Rock in Nevada, U.S. is definitely more of a culture, lifestyle and temporary community gathering, than a festival. This anti-capitalist free-expression and radical inclusion culture got its spark in 1986 in the beaches of San Francisco and soon enough found its home in the dusty desert of Black Rock, 110miles north of Reno.
For us it has definitely been one of the most eye-opening, life-changing experiences to date.
Something like an epic college reunion in another galaxy with a desert wide wonderland for Alices and Peter Pans. The outfits and art, with so much attention to detail, and always aiming to impress, have definitely pushed us to reach beyond our boxes and boundaries.
Many of the Burners call the desert their “Home” (as do we), and it is truly a place for outstanding creativity and togetherness. The 10 principles of Burning Man are well visible during the week in Black Rock City around every corner, and are, in our opinion, some of the empathic core values of healthy humanity:
Radical inclusion - everyone is welcome, respect the stranger
Gifting - sharing is caring, unconditional gifting is an empowering feeling
De-commodification - how would it feel like to be liberated from commercial sponsorships, transactions, or advertising? Well here you will know!
Self-reliance - BYOF and everything else, mama is not there to take care of you (tho some others may be)
Radical self-expression - everyone is welcome to share their art, passion and talent
Communal effort - collaborative projects are educative, empowering and connective
Civic responsibility
Leaving no trace
Participation
Immediacy
The expectation is that everyone attending Black Rock City during the week at the end of August, will adopt these values in all aspects of their behaviour. Well… think about the beauty of that!?
As for most of people who have the chance visit The Playa, it has been an immense source of inspiration to us too, blowing up the perspectives on sharing, gifting, human interaction, creativity, and most of all oneness! So… If there is anything ever to cross off your bucket-list, it is definitely this one!
]]>
https://valodesign.fi/blogs/news/valos-5-tips-for-everlasting-wardrobe2017-02-27T04:44:00+02:002023-07-24T15:37:27+03:00VALO's 5 tips for everlasting wardrobe!Lasse Larkovuo
Dietary habits are usually the first change in people’s lives towards green values, but responsible consumer makes sustainable and conscious choices in their every day acquisitions. Many consumers want to dress according to their style - hoping that at the same time their choices are ethical and reduce the ecological impact on the environment.
With these 5 tips everybody can start to decrease their ecological burden on the globe and make more ethical choices, when it comes to purchasing or maintaining their clothes:
1. You are what you eat - the same goes with your clothes!
When you eat naturally and organically you feel better. As simple as that! The same goes with what you wear. Wearing natural and organic fabrics just simply feels better on your skin! They breathe well, they are soft and some have antibacterial qualities. Show who you are with what you wear and who you want to represent!
2. Love what you wear! <3
Good design never gets old! Invest in quality and durable materials for longevity. When you love what you wear you are definitely going to wear it also months and years to come. Gather your wardrobe from pieces that you love and which go well together. Think where and how you can wear them and how transformable they are. Add accessories to create a different look!
3. Take good care of your clothes
Think whether you really need to wash the garment or would it be enough just to air it outside? It is smart to choose materials that clean themselves too, such as wool and silk. Also bamboo has antibacterial features and doesn’t need a wash so often. And when you need to wash your clothes do it accordingly to the instructions - a large part of the environmental impacts are caused by the damages of laundry. Check the composition tags before washing and consider before you buy items that need to be washed chemically. Think if you could reduce washing temperature to +30 or +40 degrees (Celcius) and wash only when you have a full load to put in. Did you know that there is also ecological and vegan choices for washing your laundry such as washnuts? Well now you do! Washnuts are fruits of Sapindus mukorossi tree in the Sapindaceae family. The fruit is commonly known as Chinese soapberry or washout and can be used in a washing machine.
4. Support small labels
More often than not, small labels work directly with the producers supporting local manufacturers. Even though you might get your clothes cheaper from big commercial labels, think about where they come from? Find out what your values are and what matters to you the most. Remember, you are always voting ‘yes’ when you put your money into something and it also means that you are accepting and supporting that label and its practices. To know where your clothes come from and how they are made is a step towards conscious consumerism.
5. Remember that less is more
Recycle clothes and modify old pieces to match your style (or take them to a tailor). Do not conserve items that you do not wear - trust us, that will not change in time…Give them to charities! Clean your closet every now and then to maintain order and matching clothes for every situation. The less the better - it is easier to choose an outfit from a few quality pieces than from a wardrobe full of garments. Bring joy to your friends - someone’s trash is another one’s treasure!
Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going! Enjoy being you!
]]>
https://valodesign.fi/blogs/news/what-does-your-wardrobe-tell-about-you2017-02-15T18:57:00+02:002023-07-24T15:37:27+03:00What does your wardrobe tell about you?Lasse Larkovuo
]]>
https://valodesign.fi/blogs/news/life-of-wander2016-01-31T07:51:00+02:002023-07-24T15:37:27+03:00Life Of WanderLasse Larkovuo
To make a decision to wander takes great courage and strength. It is willingly stepping into the unknown and separating yourself from the social norms and expectations of the society. Wanderer embraces in not knowing what the future brings, but this is the whole point. Giving yourself an opportunity to change, to take a new direction in life - without anyone demanding, expecting or forcing you to follow.
To wander is to journey into your inner self. It is giving yourself a fair chance to find out what your heart desires. It is to live without regret of not knowing. It is making yourself vulnerable to all the outcomes that the journey may bring forth. It is decomposing yourself to bits and pieces, only to be built up again. To be burned to ashes and to be reborn from the ashes.
In 2014 we jumped of the rat wheel and set out to our journeys without knowing the outcome. All we knew was, that world is full of possibilities, you just had to have the courage to take them on. To live outside the nine-to-five society, makes you inevitably question your existence and past decisions. It can be called a liberation of body, mind and soul from the shackles of “commonly” accepted norms.
Whether you call it chance, luck or destiny; we, lifelong friends from Finland, journeyed together to the same beach in Thailand 3 years ago. Only to discover we all shared like minded visions of our destiny. At the time we had no idea we would end up establishing a new clothing brand. It was one of those opportunities that manifested itself in to being during our journey. It’s about meeting the right people at the right time in your life, and having the courage to follow the opportunities that are thrown in your way.
To wander is to embrace life. To wander is to live without regret. To wander is to be alive.
VALO Design is an ongoing journey and manifestation brought to life by 3 best friends who dare to dream and dare to follow their dream. (Edit. Our dearest tribe member Linda, decided to follow her own dream at end of 2016 and take a different path. She still remains a constant inspiration in the story of VALO, and a soul sister to us <3)