The Evolution of VIA

Thirty years ago, fellow Austrians Walter Hauser and Hanspeter Winklmayr pursued an opportunity to provide the South African market with well designed, amazing leather handbags. Since then, the business grew from strength to strength, and today, the pieces from their workshop are not only treasured locally, but internationally as well.

The initial name, Bags of Joy, was transformed into Eye Q and then promptly followed by Via La Moda. A few years later, the Via Veneta brand of more accessible designs. The Via La Moda brand traditionally housed the more exclusive, heirloom pieces whereas the Via Veneta brand was home to more fashion forward pieces.

In celebration of thirty successful years, the entirety of the brand is relaunching itself as a unified VIA. Unified by the quality, attention to detail and level of workmanship. Within VIA various collections signify different styles and designs, but they are all stamped with VIA, the unified mark of superior craftmanship.

THE MAN BEHIND THE COLLECTION

The collection that Hanspeter Winklmayr created in celebration of Via La Moda’s 30th birthday is much like the man himself – practical and sensible, but with no detail spared.

Hanspeter has been at the helm of Via La Moda since inception, and though much has changed, much has stayed the same. Methods may have advanced, but the detail and craftmanship that goes into every piece still reflects the utmost respect.

Being born into a family of generations of equine accessory makers in Europe and being the youngest to graduate with a master’s degree in fine leather design in Vienna, Austria, means that Hanspeter has pretty much seen it all when it comes to the craft of leather.

What he finds most thrilling, however, is the fact that people still wear his bags 30 years down the line. That, he regards as his biggest achievement.

Tel: +27 11 477 8008
E-Mail: sales@vialamoda.com

Hanspeter Winklmayr