I believe building a brand identity should come from the heart. Every detail should mean something, even something as small as a clothing tag. I recently had new faux-leather tags created for Táloha.
Their shape and style were inspired by the nameplates on my English saddle. I wanted to bring a small piece of my childhood into the brand and honor my love for the sport I grew up with. There is something timeless about an English saddle. It was not created in one single moment, but evolved over generations as the relationship between horse and rider changed.
Earlier European saddles often had higher seats that helped hold a rider securely. As riding across the English countryside became more athletic during the 18th century, saddles developed lower pommels and cantles and flatter seats, giving riders more freedom to move over fences. In the early 20th century, the development of the forward riding position helped influence the modern jumping saddle we recognize today. What I love most is that the English saddle was shaped by both purpose and connection.
Every curve, piece of leather, and carefully placed detail was designed to bring the horse and rider closer together. That history made it feel like the perfect inspiration for Táloha. The tag adds a richness to the garment, but it also tells a story. For someone who grew up riding, it might bring back the smell of leather and a freshly swept barn aisle. It might remind them of their first horse show, the sound of hooves beneath them, or the nervous excitement of cantering toward a jump. And almost everyone who has spent time around horses has a story. Maybe it was the trail horse who suddenly decided it was time to head back to the barn, whether you were ready or not. Maybe it was the first horse who taught you confidence, patience, or how to get back up after falling.
Perhaps seeing the tag will awaken something in your spirit. Perhaps it will bring back a memory from childhood or remind you of a part of yourself you have not thought about in years. Life gets busy, and sometimes we unintentionally lose touch with the things that once made us feel most alive. A sound, a scent, a photograph, or even a small detail on a garment can reconnect us with those parts of ourselves. That is what I want Táloha to do.
The tag may be small, but the story behind it is not. It carries a piece of my childhood, my love of horses, and the belief that what we wear can remind us of who we are, where we have been, and what still makes us feel alive. With gratitude, ~Ari