24 Hours With... De La Vali

Jana Haveman and Laura Castro invite you to be bold and unapologetically expressive of who you are - their vivacious and empowering styles are your one-way ticket to unshakeable confidence.

With roots firmly planted across the Med in Ibiza and London, the childhood friends and tastemakers behind De La Vali truly have the best of both worlds. Taking us from beach to bar, and everything in between, each striking collection captures the White Island’s carefree bohemian spirit and beauty, whilst nodding to the founders’ fast-paced lifestyles when they’re in our home city.

We discover what 24 hours looks like for the design duo, transporting you to the inspirational De La Vali universe and beyond.

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“Morning coffee.”

"One of my favourite vintage markets in Ibiza."

“It’s called self-care.”

“Home in Ibiza. Beautiful and peaceful.”

MORNING

What time do you wake up and what's the first thing you do when you get up?
Jana: At 7AM, normally in London. First things first - Himalayan salt in a glass of water followed by a shot of apple cider (which is supposed to be very healthy) and then I take my supplements followed by a matcha.

Laura: I like to wake up around 8:30AM and start my day with an açaí smoothie. Especially on summer days, I like to start the day with a fresh, healthy breakfast – this really helps wake me up.

Do you have any morning rituals?
Jana: I meditate for 10 minutes as it helps me calm my mind and I’ve recently started journaling.

Laura: Generally I wake up every morning in a good, positive mood but on the very rare occasion I feel off balance, I take myself for a good breakfast or a nice long shower with music.

Where do you live and how long have you lived there?
Jana: I live between Notting Hill and Ibiza. I grew up in Ibiza close to Santa Gertrudis and have been in London for over 10 years.

Laura: I also live between Ibiza and London. During the summertime I tend to spend the majority of time in Ibiza where I was born and grew up.

Favourite thing about your neighbourhood/where you live?
Jana: I must say I love both Santa Gertrudis and Notting Hill with all my heart. In many ways they are quite similar - there is a real community feeling which I love so much. Having grown up on a small island, London can feel quite huge and unfamiliar. So when I moved to Notting Hill seven years ago I finally felt at home. I love walking around and bumping into friends and feeling cosy in my area.

Laura: I’m lucky enough to live in the north of the island San Juan. It’s one of the most beautiful parts of the island. So bohemian, close to my favourite beaches and where you don’t often see so many tourists.

What does your average day look like?
Jana: I wake up and walk to the office. In the evenings I’m either out socialising or at home being cosy. I love cooking a delicious meal and watching an old movie or reading my book in the bath.

Laura: I start the day by checking my emails and getting in touch with my team in London. Afterwards I make my way to our shop in Ibiza town, where I spend most of the day. I like to see our dresses in action and meet our customers in person - I really cherish those experiences.

Describe yourself in three words…
Jana: I always find it hard to describe myself. I would say outgoing, friendly, fun loving.

Laura: Vivacious. Dreamer. Wild.

How would you describe each other in three words?
Jana: Intuitive, loyal, courageous.

Laura: I think we are both very different but very similar at the same time. So I’d say vivacious, dreamer and wild for both of us.

“Lunch with friends.”

“On the Atlantis beach hike. Our favourite hike in Ibiza.”

“Boat day in Ibiza.”

DAYTIME

What is your idea of a perfect day?
Jana: My absolute ideal day would be: Wake up on a boat in the middle of the ocean in complete tranquillity and jump straight into the sea. Head to land to discover an incredible vintage market, and go to a beach for a swim and lunch. Then head home to get dressed up to the nines and go for dinner, followed by dancing with all my favourite people.

Laura: Mine is similar - I love spending the weekends by the sea and going on a boat trip with friends, then having a lovely evening dinner or an event in Ibiza.

When you're not working, what do you do for fun?
Jana: I love nature. I love to travel and explore new cultures. I love to shop in new places I’ve never been before. I love to read and watch movies, especially old ones. I love going to museums, the cinema and theatre. And I love going out for dinner, to concerts, or parties - I’m always looking for an excuse to dress up.

Laura: I like to be busy - I’ve always been very adventurous and embrace any opportunity that involves new experiences. I need to be surrounded by nature and my lovely friends as often as possible.

What did you do on your last day off?
Jana: I just went to a friend's 50th birthday bash in Scilly. It was the most fun ever! After the party we spent the next day on the beach with friends debriefing at lunch.

Laura: I went to the sea with some friends on a boat trip where we laughed and played music until late.

What do you need more time for?
Jana: I’m really working on my time management at the moment so that I can do all the things that I find important. I wish I had a bit more time to travel, especially to far away places, and properly head into the jungle to completely disconnect. I find it hard to find the time to do that, but I’m always grateful that my work lets me travel as well.

Laura: I’d like to make more time for exercise and generally for myself.

What was your route into design and how did you begin De La Vali?
Jana: I actually started sketching and making dresses when I was child. I spent the majority of my childhood playing dress up and told my mum at two years old that I wanted to dress myself so I guess I always knew what I wanted to do.

When Laura and I discovered our shared eye and passion we decided to start a brand. On a trip to India we found a bunch of incredible fabrics and decided to just go for it. We brought those dresses back to Ibiza and, in the beginning, sold them to friends and beach boutiques mainly and that’s how it all started. We got picked up by Browns - our very first stockist - soon after!

Laura: I’ve always loved fashion since a very young age. I got the chance to go to Paris to work with a designer which gave me the opportunity to learn so many things, which really confirmed my passion and what I wanted to do long term.

We started De La Vali because we were always on a quest to discover dream dresses that in reality didn’t seem to exist, so we decided to embark on creating something that encapsulated our shared vision.

One thing you can't live without?
Jana: I really wish it wasn’t (and it’s so annoying to admit!) but it’s my phone - it’s my wallet, my navigation and my freedom. If it would unlock my house too (which I’m sure it will soon) what else would I need?

Laura: My friends and music.

What makes you laugh? What makes you cry? What gives you goosebumps?
Jana: My friends make me laugh. Happy and sad movies make me cry. Ghost stories (one of my favourite topics) give my goosebumps.

Laura: Someone who’s able to take the mickey out of themselves makes me laugh. I’m very emotional to be honest - I can cry anytime, even when people give me presents on my birthday. Manifesting things that become a reality gives me goosebumps.

“Evening looks.”

“Ibiza sunsets.”

“The book I’m loving at the moment.”

EVENING

What's on your bookshelf?
Jana: At the moment I’m reading Henry and June by Anais Nin. She was an incredible novelist and poet, and one of the first erotic novelists in the ‘30s. This book is about her love affair with Henry Miller and his wife June. Next I’m going to read the love letters they wrote to each other. Love is my forever favourite subject.

Laura: Women who Run with the Wolves and various self-help books.

What are you listening to at the moment?
Jana: Muck Spreader, a really cool London-based jazz punk improvisation band. They never sing the same song twice, it’s so cool. I’m also loving Warmduscher, a very alternative band who are really fun live. I’ll love Billie Holiday forever - she speaks straight to the soul.

Laura: Some acoustic, instrumental and truly amazing music.

What do you usually do for dinner?
Jana: I love going out for dinner and enjoying great conversation over a glass of wine. But equally as much, I love cooking something healthy and nutritious at home.

Laura: I love fish with a few different salads. An oven baked sea bass with potatoes is a favourite of mine.

What's your favourite restaurant? And what do you eat/drink there?
Jana: Macau in Santa Gertrudis. I love the paccheri pasta there.

Laura: My all-time favourite restaurant is Macau as well. Sa Cova in Ibiza Town is my most recent favourite.

Do you have any evening rituals?
Jana: I try to do my gua sha regularly. I do gratitude before bed, as it’s important to be grateful for all the good things in life.

Laura: My skincare routine and reading.

What time do you go to bed and what's the last thing you do before you sleep?
Jana: I read before bed.

Laura: Me too. I like to be asleep by 11 o'clock at the latest.

What do you dream about?
Jana: At the moment I’m being incredibly psychic. I’ll dream of someone and wake up with a text from them. Very strange. But my favourite dream will forever be flying - I’ve only had it a few times but wow!

Laura: These days I don’t really remember my dreams. I’ve heard this can happen as you get older… I’d love to remember them more, I wonder what that means … That I’m living my dream?

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Words: Sophy Davis Russell