Cashmere/Silk Artist- Designed, Made to Order Shawl

In October, Jeff and I went to an outdoor open studios hosted by artists and artisans from Porter Mills, an artist studio building in Beverly MA. Since many of us don’t feel comfortable hanging out indoors especially in an old industrial building with no air circulation, several of the artists and crafters decided to bring some of their pieces outdoors in open tents to lure visitors back and try to make some sales.

I Bought This, Affiliate Links

Although there were only a half dozen artists at the outdoor open studios, a couple of our favorites were there. We stopped at the tent of Constance Festo Lafond, aka Connie Lafond, who works in many different media: watercolor, acrylic, collage, and photography. In addition to her art pieces, she works with two online retailers who print her designs on apparel (VIDA) such as shawls, scarves, yoga pants, tote bags, tops, masks, and more as well as household items (Society6) like wallpaper, throw pillows, blankets, rugs in two sizes, wall hangings, clocks, curtains, cutting boards, and more. I wrote about Society6 before Christmas here.

Connie had a throw pillow for sale in the tent in an impressionistic watercolor design called Garden Joy that I loved. (If Garden Joy isn’t to your taste, she has lots of other designs and color palettes to choose from.) I asked if she had Garden Joy in a shawl or large scarf, and she told me that she didn’t have that particular design in stock, but that I could buy it directly from the company that manufactures them for her. The shawls, made to order by a company called VIDA, are available in a variety of fabrics at different price points:

• cashmere 80% silk 20%
• modal
• merino wool.

I decided to buy the Garden Joy shawl/scarf in the cashmere and silk blend, and it is gorgeous! So very soft, luxurious and lightweight. I would say that it is more of a spring and summer weight shawl, but I have been wearing it as a scarf under my coat this autumn and winter, and it is quite warm. My shawl is huge: the dimensions are 28″ x 80″. Because it has so many different colors and shades in it, it goes with almost everything! 

Because Connie is a local artist who I know personally and whose work I enjoy, I purchased her design, Garden Joy, that I fell in love with when I saw it in person. You can check out Connie’s collection on VIDA under C Lafond or Constance Festo Lafond: here.

However, VIDA sells the work of many other artists as well, artwork representing a zillion different styles and designs. VIDA, an American company, makes most of their products overseas, mostly in India and Pakistan. I imagine that’s because the manufacturing costs are less than in the US, and at first, I was a little put off by that. Nevertheless, VIDA works with artists and producers all over the world and helps support both the artists and the workers that manufacture their products, so I decided it’s OK. Then, I learned that VIDA donates masks to those in need, supports Black Lives Matter groups, amplifies the voices of African-American artists and designers, supports literacy and financial literacy  programs in the US and abroad, and more.

Next, I discovered that I had already done business with VIDA when I bought a set of high quality, shaped cotton masks back in June that were recommended by a friend.

VIDA has a points/frequent shopper program that I wish I had known about when I bought my masks. Nevertheless, I registered for the program before I bought my scarf, and I now have over 500 points that I can redeem for $25 off my next purchase. 

With Valentine’s Day not that far off, get to know VIDA. I think you’ll find lots to like.

Today's Author

Allison Cohen

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