The Partnership of Victoria Wood Studio Dieuwertje (Dita) von Aesch Dita loves passageways of all kinds.  So starting her business with a focus on gates and entryways makes perfect sense.  For her, a passageway is an opportunity.  It invites you to explore a different aspect of yourself or your life. Her gates and entryways are an invitation to step into another world, another reality. She believes these transitions need to be marked by structures of beauty and substance. This is why she decided to apply the techniques of furniture making to building outdoor passageways.  Dita’s work is influenced by many things.  She was born in the Netherlands but spent most of her life on the West Coast of Canada.  Yet she remains drawn to the art and architecture of Northern Europe.

She studied art and design for two years at Emily Carr. She has completed the  Fine Furniture Program at Camosun College and the Artisan program at the Inside Passage  School of Fine Woodworking.   Dita believes that what you feel when you walk through one of her gates is just as important as how you feel when you see one from the street.  So she spends time getting to know you and your home.  That is why each of her designs are unique.  She believes there is far too much homogeneity in the world.  Something as simple as a slightly different curve on a structure can both draw the eye and feed the spirit. This is what makes her work so satisfying.

Frances Sidhe Dita’s partner Frances initially thought her role in the business would be confined to doing the bookkeeping.  After engaging in a year-long course of study with Business Victoria she found in herself a love of the art of doing business. In 2007 she joined the business on a fulltime basis.  Her first task was to hire someone else to do the books. Frances is a trained Sommelier who has been selling food and wine for many years, most recently as the Wine Steward at Zambri’s restaurant in Victoria. Zambri’s restaurant specializes in classic Italian cuisine.  During her six years there Frances earned many accolades for her knowledge and service.  She was a featured in a recent issue of Eat Magazine where it was said about her;
“She can speak about Abruzzi classical cuisine as easily as obscure Italian wine varietals.  She makes you feel like you are privy to some newly revealed information, not as a recipient of a worn out recording. A true leader and an asset to our wine and restaurant community, Frances Sidhe deserves a gold medal of honor.” Frances believes that her passion for wine can easily be transferred to her new business.  It is all about feeding people's need for pleasure whether it be the perfect food and wine pairing or a beautiful entrance to your home.  In her time at Zambri’s she offered her customers something unique.  An experience they could not get anywhere else.  This is exactly what Victoria Wood Studio stands for.