EXOvault

I have had a chance to do review and interview from the creators or EXOvault the ultimate iphone case & accessory, It is my pleasure to introduce the amazing brand and products from EXOvault.

When I saw these cases I was in love, the natural elements that goes in the cases really show the craftsmanship, and how original the cases are. They definitely get the Fashion Forward Approval.

These cases are so durable, and in a word sexy. They are not the cheap cases you find at the mall where everyone would have one, these are quality stunning original cases that expresses your style.

If you would like to find out how to get one of these beautiful cases stay tuned for a fabulous giveaway but if you can't wait go to EXOvault and find one that fits your lifestyle because you will be the talk amongst all your friends.

I had the pleasure in interviewing the creators of the amazing iphone cases, and wanted to share who is EXOvault with the Fashion Forward Journal readers.


1. What is EXOvault? and How did it all start?
Exovault started two years ago pretty much by accident; Jonathan and I were joking around about how if we had made the iPhone it would have looked a lot better. Because we couldn’t do that we decided to make some cases for it. Eventually we put one together that we started to use when out and about and all of our friends started demanding cases as well.

We make them right in our shop one by one, so we can easily fit in design improvements and incorporate customer suggestions and requests. We then put what little we had at the time on the web, and it blossomed from there. On our first day we had 15 orders and only our sample prototypes made so we had to work very hard! We now have improved our fabrication techniques and are able to make cases faster and with more options. It is a lot of work but the quality and attention to detail really comes through in the final product.

2. How many of you are a part of the design team?
Both Jonathan and I are part of the design team. We talk about new improvements and the feasibility of certain things and bounce these ideas off of each other. We try to keep on top of what Apple is doing and when new products will be released. We then slowly come up with new case designs; Jonathan does most of the work on the mechanics of the case, while I come up with most of the artwork engravings featured on the backs. We are constantly improving and re-designing even existing cases to make them better and give each other constant feedback and suggestions.

3. Where do you find your inspirations?
We are inspired by a variety of sources but I would have to say the biggest inspiration is the beautiful, high-quality, well crafted design objects that unfortunately are beginning to exist only in the past. How cool are old gun barrels, lighters, cigarette cases, watches and the list goes on. On the other end of the spectrum we are into Sci-Fi futuristic stuff so it is a sort of future-past combination of the two. What we find totally UNINSPIRING is the rapidly expanding world of Wal-Mart type conglomerates and cheap dollar store use once and throw away stuff. You might spend a little more on a beautiful, high-quality, design conscious object, but you will respect yourself for choosing it, REALLY enjoy it and most likely be the envy of your friends.

4. Why iPhone?
I grew up with Apple and feel like I know the type of person who is into Apple and the iPhone a little better than the PC person. But also for the fact that designing the cases is VERY time intensive, and so we wanted to go with a design that tends not to change every 4 months. We would LOVE to make cases for all the Android phones too but there are like 100 different sizes and shapes and they change with every update. There is no way we could keep so small and handcraft each case given that sort of variety! We don’t want to have our cases made by the thousand in China, we want to make them a few at a time right here in our little shop so we can keep our eye on them and always know exactly what is going on with them!

5. Who is your market, and is there are consumer market out there you would like to reach that you haven't reached yet?
Our cases are not for everybody, but they are for people who want something durable, beautiful and finely crafted. They aren’t the typical rubber bumper that you can buy cheaply at any store- that is why we make them. Our cases appeal to the discerning person who has has an eye for design, quality materials that last, and wants to stand out a little from the rest of the crowd. We make intelligent design products for intelligent people.


6. Is there any other merchandise that you find you would like to cover?
Oh we are going to be coming out with other products for men and women, a metal/leather wallet, a metal/leather bag, an iPad2 case, and though maybe not for a while eye glass frames. Of course we will continue to make cases for all new iPhone products.


7. I noticed that you have a Korean, and Japanese base, is there any Korean, Japanese influence within your designs?
We do get a number of orders from both Japan and Korea and I think it is because culturally their cultures grew up highly influenced by well crafted design objects and ornament. I am very inspired by the small red lacquer ornamented boxes popular in their design histories, among many other things! We have our site translated into Japanese and Korean now, but plan to also add French and Spanish very soon!

8. Where would you like to see EXOvault in the few years?
We would love to expand EXOvault to include other fashionable design related products. We love the iPhone, but would love to be able to cater to customers who don’t use them- this is where the wallets, bags and other products come in.


9. What kind of materials influence the designs?
High quality materials that last! In our art we both work a lot with older tools and equipment, things from old hot-rods and hoop-dresses. So metalwork is something that we are very comfortable with. Using rosewood accents in a lot of the pieces is suggestive of old brass and rosewood hand-tools. And really the iPhone is just the hand tool of the 21st century, the thing you use to get other things done.

10. Is everything hand done?
Making each case is a multi-step process, the initial rough cutting is done by a milling machine about the size of a minivan. Then we do a lot of the finishing, sanding and polishing by hand (about 2 hours each case at this point). The aluminum cases then get an anodized coating, the brass a hand-finished patina, and then we hand finish and set the rosewood inserts. The magnets, pins and everything else are added by us while doing the final assembly before we put them in boxes and send them out.

11. How long does it take to create one case from start to finish?
It depends upon the case. The exo5 cases with the rosewood inlays all around the sides are out most laborious cases except for the belt buckle exo7. The exo5 cases might take about 5-7 hours to complete, however this needs to be done through a series of days because of the process.

12. What would EXOvault like to let the readers to know?
If you buy one of our cases we will stand behind it. You will love it and everyone will come up to you and ask you were you got it- they attract a lot of attention. People like to pick them up and touch them which I think relates to their inherent love of design and quality.


So here it is lovelies, I love these Iphone cases from EXOvault, and want all of you to express your style and find your Iphone case at EXOvault.