efi designs

Efi Designs

Inga and Evija remind me of the cool aunts that I never had. They speak
in broken English, they wear their T-shirts inside out, and they use words
like “passion,” “individuality,” and “uniqueness.” Inga and Evija immigrated
to the United States from one of those countries that sounds more like an expensive entrée than an actual place ― Latvia.

Inga began painting soon after her arrival to America. She painted on paper, on fabric, on any surface that wouldn’t run away. When it came to painting “I just couldn’t stop,” she recalls. She added pencil and crayon markings to small, square, painted pieces of wood, covered them with shiny epoxy, attached a leather string, and called them “Love Necklaces.” Today, these miniature, double-sided pieces of abstract art are one of the hottest sellers at Atlanta-based Efie Designs.

Together, Inga and Evija have created necklaces, bags, wristlets, T-shirts, wallets, and scarves that are, as their tag line states, “100% cool.” They are also 100% one of a kind ― they each have their own character and personality. I’m wearing a taupe colored “wristlet” right now. It has a random pattern of evergreen double stitching. There’s a tiny plastic window with a section of bar code peeking out. Like a hidden secret. It’s fastened with trusty Velcro. I love it so. Simply put, this is the coolest swag I’ve ever seen.

The wallets are sturdily composed, sewn, and compositionally cool; the two-sided scarves are functional and mod; the bags are an eclectic blend of pant scraps, zippers, and graffiti; the necklaces have under-paintings which lead us to believe that there’s always more the story. And there is…Inga and Evija strongly believe that their unique design pieces make people feel “more confident.” Strangely, since wearing my swanky wristlet I have noticed an extra bounce in my step.