Vintage Ware: Austin Business Creating History on Your Wrist

This guest blog article is by Kendra Wright.

One of the magnetic things about Austin is the wealth of creatives who call our city home. Edgar Diaz, seasoned local artist in metal sculpture and found objects, has had an Austin address for nearly a decade. Like many of the other brilliant visionaries migrating here, he stuffed his suitcase with jaw-dropping talent and a desire to innovate.

Diaz’s newest adventure in art and business, Vintage Ware, was born from his interest in showcasing discoveries found while combing through antique markets. His line of cuffs incorporates breathing parts of history, with relics ranging from World War II trench art, to military badges, to Victorian Era shoe buckles.

Paired with every purchase is the story behind the cuff, a trail of its travels through history to your wrist. The beauty of Vintage Ware is undeniable, but when you peel back the layers and discover the depth, you’ll see that every cuff is a stand alone piece of art. Vintage Ware is more than fashion; it’s history on your wrist.

“When I see a piece of yester-year, I have to ask myself, how can I tell the story hidden within this artifact?” Diaz explained. “How can I make this jump off a wrist so people will look long enough to discover it’s more than just a cuff – it’s a part of history.”

Big Time Talent, Small Budding Business

Though Vintage Ware competes with high-end brands, the company is still in its infancy at just three years old. Diaz and his wife still personally hunt down every artifact and research its past. “We may make mistakes along the way, but we do everything we can to dig up the story and incorporate it into the creative process. I see every cuff as a tiny canvas with a story to tell – its own piece of art,” remarks Diaz.

With one look, it’s evident that love and meticulous attention to detail are poured into Vintage Ware. Given Diaz’s unconventional background in metal sculpture, he is willing to take risks with composition and materials that few leatherworkers do. “I’m one of the first in the field to use metal to sew leather. I’ll stitch with gold and silver because every detail counts and adds another layer. I want my work to have depth.”

Austinites Will Dig This: Vintage Ware Goes Domestic

As the line of cuffs continues to grow, Diaz has set his sights on challenging his creative process even more. “I am currently working on a line of cuffs that are all domestically produced. I try to source within the U.S. as much as possible, but some rivets, components and specialty leathers are not available here. I want to push myself to create with supplies and manufacturers that are all within the U.S. boundaries. This will take the creative challenge to a new level.”

If you would love to get a closer look at the historical fashion and story pieces built by local artist Edgar Diaz, you can find them locally at Limbo Jewelry Showroom (1604 South Congress), or shop the full collection online.

 

@freehighfives asks:

Which cuff shown in this article is your favorite and why?

 

Kendra enjoys brownies from the center of the pan and dominating her bucket list. When she isn’t hunting down all the weirdest adventures in Austin, she’s writing words at HeyKendra.com.