Brady Von Niessen is living her dream as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.
“It’s just been so insane,” said Van Niessen, owner & designer of West Von, a women’s hat company.
On Friday in downtown Nanaimo, photographers and models were at work, capturing the fall hat collection that the Salt Spring Island mom of two designed.
“It really is a dream come true as far as launching and being such a success,” said Von Niessen.
“We launched on June 26th and we’ve sold like hundreds of hats right across the country, into the States and yeah it feels pretty awesome,” she said.
According to Von Niessen, she started the business because she couldn’t find a Canadian sourced hat when she wanted one. She designed her own and called the label West Von. Then to her surprise, the first collection took off in the midst of COVID-19.
“Launching in the middle of a pandemic was a bit stressful,” said Von Niessen.
“I was like ‘oh my gosh how is this going to go’, but you know what everyone was at home online shopping and then discovered us and yeah it’s been so great,” she said.
The look was becoming a favourite for model Camisha Jackson.
“I love it, it’s great,” said Jackson.
“I love the comfy wear.”
“I mean we’re shooting here and a girl stopped in her car, ‘where are those hats from?’ We’re like ‘it’s West Von. It’s mine!’ said Von Niessen.
She has joined the ranks of many successful Vancouver Island designers. At Nanaimo shop Fig Love, there are eight local designers represented.
“And there is support for it,” said Fig Love owner Arena Broadhead.
“People like to buy local. There’s a trend towards that.”
Broadhead said demand for flowing, Island-inspired designs is really high right now.
“People are coming to us, and they like our style,” said Broadhead.
“They like the coastal style.”
Skye Ryan
