From 2002 to 2009, I was a one-man cottage industry, designing and producing a line of handbags and accessories. Known as Zola Jones Designs, the line was an extension of my “structured bohemian” aesthetic. Over the seven year that I grew the business, the lined developed from a craft to a little industry. Wholesale accounts included Macy’s on State Street, Hazel and Abbey Brown in Chicago, as well as many national and international independent retailers. In 2005, I opened a retail storefront in Chicago’s Ravenswood neighborhood. The stores served as both a home base for bag design and construction and a retail operation. In addition to offering my own bags and custom design services, I also fostered relationships with other indie designers to sell their merchandise on a consignment basis.

My goal as a handbag designer has always been to create a product that is practical, stylish and (most importantly) well made. My designs started out as simple canvas bags onto which I screen printed custom designs. Soon, however, I had moved on to upholstery fabrics. Perhaps it’s my love of mixing patterns and embracing color that initially drew me to upholstery fabrics. I started using contrasting patterns for bag lining and details, a look that became synonymous with the name Zola Jones Designs. I also embraced upholstery fabrics for their durability and easy care.

With an interest in recycling, I looked for ways to introduce renewed elements to my designs. I sourced seat belts from a salvage yard in Chicago and worked them into a bag design, dubbing it the Bumpy Road Bag. With an upholstery fabric body and car seat belt as closure and strap, the bags were a standout from the humdrum crowd of basic messenger bags. I sourced fabrics from domestic companies whenever possible and re-used scraps to create accessories like wallets and key rings in an effort to keep my business green.