10 Years, Countless Moments: A Customer's Story

It isn't every day you receive a letter from a customer telling you how much your brand has impacted their life. When it does happen, it's a moment to pause, reflect, and truly appreciate the connection you've built. 

We strive to be more than just a clothing brand; we are a community - and sometimes, a letter like this one reminds us just how powerful that can be. We were so inspired by this recent message from one of our customers, and we wanted to share it with you.

“Dear Volante Design team,

I noticed this December that I placed my first order with you a little more than 10 years ago. As I just purchased my first "Oddity" this Thanksgiving, a lovely (and slightly odd) Cormac Coat that I received this December, and that found a loving home, I wanted to send you this message I've been thinking about for the last few weeks. It is simply a retrospect and appreciation for all the work you have done and for the amazing pieces I purchased from you over the years.

I remember first hearing about you at the beginning of my undergrad in 2013, where after looking at a post with a picture of an Assassin's Creed-esque jacket along with a link to purchase it, a savvy commenter mentioned that these people actually stole the design to make a very poor copy and mentioned Volante Design as the original designer and maker of this jacket. I therefore decided to immediately take a look at your website and I remember wanting to purchase one very badly at the time. Over the next few months, I often took a look at your website looking at what you would be releasing next, leading to my first purchase of a Harrier in Masyaf Steel along with its accompanying Pinion

I remember the video introducing the Harrier (https://youtu.be/4uH_dgwYvnk) and thinking that it would be amazing to be able to have and wear one and finally pulling the proverbial trigger because I couldn't pass the occasion of owning such an item.

Since this first purchase back in November of 2014, I've moved 6 times, been an undergraduate, graduate, R&D intern and doctoral student and moved from Paris, France where I was born and grew up, to Washington DC more than 5 years ago. I've had happy moments, sad moments, quite a few breakups and my life has changed considerably throughout all these years and these stages and steps of my life.

Yet no matter where I was, no matter what I was doing, I would still regularly check your website to see all your new releases, setting which ones I could snatch at the moment.

The coats, vest, jackets and accessories I purchased from you over the years are of great pride and importance to me, so much so that I took all of them with me when I moved from France to the US. Along with some other unique and original coats and garments of mine, they made up almost an entire suitcase despite my need to have space for other more down to earth and pragmatic (and quite bland in comparison) items and clothes. They are such an element of joy and pride that leaving any behind, even if I would pick them up the next time I would visit my family, felt wrong. They simply needed to come with me, at the same time, in a suitcase I would carry myself.

Often, in moments of darkness and sadness, having them, wearing them, always brought back some happiness and comfort. During the pandemic, away and cut-off from the ancestral land of my family, where my heart will always reside, they brought a soothing and comforting sense of warmth and familiarity. 

Not only do they look amazing but they also are of exceptional quality, I've worn some everyday for years and with my oldest sitting at 10 years, it still looks like the day I received it.

Your limited runs also add to the overall value of your garments; I often feel I am holding a very rare, almost unique item.

Whenever I purchase one, they are a gift to myself, something I do to spoil myself every once in a while, to celebrate something, or bring some light during difficult times in my life.

I've worn them for cosplay, special event clothes, day to day wear and even formal events (why not? I am known for my flair and disregard for conformity after all) and kept, over the years, receiving praise and compliments for my style and clothes. They are now (and have been for several years now) part of my daily wear and I wear at least one more close to everyday. I've even been known sometimes as the "Vampire" or "Techno-vampire" which I always took as a compliment :)

As I am finishing my Ph.D. in Physics in Washington DC, and about to embark on another adventure (probably in Colorado, around Denver, or maybe somewhere else), they will tag along with me and travel and settle where I will.

I also wanted to commend and support your commitment to a 4 day work week for your team (as I saw in the email for my last order). With living wage and honest salaries, this can make a huge difference and improve the well being of everyone and is something I aspire to for myself for my future work/life balance.

So far, my only regret is not visiting you when I was visiting fellow graduate students and researchers at UMass Amherst back in June of 2022. I only realized as I was leaving that UMass Amherst was really close to where you are and felt a little dumb for not noticing earlier. I hope I will be able to meet you one day (hopefully soon) either where you are located or at a Convention somewhere in the US.

As a little retrospect, here are all the coats, vests, jackets and accessories I've bought over the years along with some pictures I found on my phone of me wearing them :) (including me wearing the Cormac during the last snow in DC two days ago)

To 10 and more years of amazing and wonderful coats, vests, jackets and other cool items and accessories!

All the best to Willow & David, the entire team and everyone working on your amazing products!

Wayan”

Thank you Wayan for allowing us to share your testimony! 
Stay badass