What is Votan ?

A unique fusion of music and street wear, Votan was born through the collaboration of DJ Villeneuve and artist Dave Little. Taking influences from British music and fashion over the past 30 years, Votan has grown to develop a unique character of its own and has fast become one of the hottest brands in Europe today. What started as a design concept for Villeneuve's CD series promoting the Opening & Closing fiestas for Space, Ibiza soon evolved to become a Ministry of Sound radio programme. A selection of t-shirts produced to promote the Votan God of Drums show, that DJ Villeneuve and Dave Little co-hosted, lead to a distribution deal with Amplified clothing in the UK and Votan street wear stocked throughout Europe in places such as Topshop, Harvey Nichols Selfridges and online at and ASOS.

Votan's license with Amplified ended in December 2007 and the brand now manufacture and distribute their t-shirts themselves, expanding into Australia, Japan and USA.



So where did the name come from?

Let's just say the boys didn't just pluck this one from the air!

Villeneuve's Space Opening and Closing Fiesta sets are the stuff of legend and each year people from far and wide request copies of his sets so the memories never fade. A chance meeting led Villeneuve and Dave to develop the Votan brand and creative concept…

Barbara was the guest of honor at the Buddhist Punk Summer 2005 show and the designer, a friend of Villeneuve's, had built a shrine to the Mayan Crystal that she tours the world with. Many years before, the Afro German ex PA of the Dalai Lama (yes no lie) had been visiting Mexico where upon entering an ancient Mayan temple with his Excellency caused a minor commotion when 'recognised' by the temple's cleric. They believed she herself was the incarnation of the Mayan God who's spirit was embodied within one of Mayan cultures 13 Crystal Skulls (only 5 have been found in the world).

Encountering Barbara, Villeneuve immediately hit it off with Barbara and she encouraged him to hold the skull. Intrigued by her story and that of the Mayan's, Villeneuve did some research of his own and discovered Votan - the Mayan God of Music Drums.

It was Dave who then took this inspiration and translated the vision into the reality of intricately, hand drawn designs. That now live on in their t-shirts.


What does Votan mean?

Votan is a Mayan God - the god of music and drums.