Gift buyers
Louie-Thomas was formed in 2003
From Vietnam with love . . .
Dunedin-based design and wholesale company, Louie-Thomas, shares its unique story
In 2003, the New Zealand township of Dunedin formed ties with a much larger terrain – North Vietnam. Nga and Dahn Blanchard, a Vietnamese/European family, decided to start their own wholesale business, Louie-Thomas, specialising in beautiful silken handbags, fabric accessories, lacquered gift wares and gorgeous jewellery.
Taking up roles as company director and product overseer – they now have a workshop in Vietnam and an office in Dunedin, Nga and Dahn set the ball in motion. Two years ago, Nga also became Louie-Thomas’ chief product designer and she now hand-draws bag designs for each season. The company now has several artisan families in North Vietnam, many of whom have been actively involved in the production of silk, velvet and lacquer for decades, assisting them in the production process. Once samples of each design are made and photographed overseas, they are sent back for appraisal so the Louie-Thomas team can choose which bags to make for the upcoming season.
Using natural fabrics is a key factor and selling-point for the wholesale company. The majority of their handbags are made from silk, velvet or shell, and are made entirely by hand. Because each bag is made individually, there is never two of a kind, further enhancing their uniqueness.
Louie-Thomas’ lacquered ranges are made from either ceramic or smoked bamboo – both self-sustainable.
However, painting lacquered products is no walk in the park. The entire process can take up to three months because each layer has to dry naturally – there are approximately 15 layers of lacquer on each product! And although summer can get very hot in Vietnam, it is also the rainy season, which means it can take even longer for lacquer products to reach the finishing line.
A local family in Vietnam designs all the lacquered products for Louie-Thomas; many of these products are showcased at the Paris Gift Fair before exhibiting at our New Zealand Fairs’.
The company also busy themselves with charity work, donating monies from their business each year. In 2008 they adopted a charity in Vietnam called ‘The Friendship village’, the village was formed by Vietnam vets after the Vietnam War and houses families that suffer from the after effects of Agent Orange. The Friendship village offers free education to children and adults, and contains several classrooms with modern day facilities such as computers and workshops.
As well as that they have contributed towards local charities in the wider community within New Zealand itself.
