The Story Behind Von Perez

My name is Lavonta Perez. From as early as I can remember, I had a passion for sewing, but as an adult, I dismissed it for years. In 2014 I saw an online ad for a sewing machine. Coincidentally, my best friend mentioned seeing the same ad and reminded me of my dream to learn to sew. It felt like a sign to pursue it.

Following that conversation, I bought the sewing machine and immersed myself into learning through YouTube and Pinterest tutorials. Initially, my goal was to design clothing, but after finding handbag tutorials, I was hooked. I started with lightweight cotton tote bags, which evolved into clutches and backpacks using heavy denim and waxed Ankara fabrics with leather accents.   

For the first few years, I thrived on the excitement of building something new and pursuing my passion. However, it also brought challenges. As an introvert, running a product-based business pushed me far out of my comfort zone. I realized that customers wanted to connect with a person, not just a product, which required me to engage in ways I typically avoided. Additionally, I hit a creative slump, and sales began to slow, leading me to take a two-year hiatus.

During that break, I came to understand the importance of stepping back. It was exactly what I needed. When I relaunched in 2020, it was with a new vision, a new name, and fresh designs. Taking that break allowed me to rejuvenate my creativity, rediscover my love for the craft, and gain the courage to embrace it fully. From there, Von Perez was born.