Loveless Is A Bag Lady with Style

What’s the perfect outfit without the handbag to match? Atlanta luxury bag designer Jada Loveless knows that situation all too well. In a one-on-one interview, Loveless discusses how her career as a couture bag designer leaves Atlanta’s elite stylish for any occasion.

June 9, 2008

A tlanta Woman: Why did you decide to design bags and not clothes?
Jada Loveless: I love accessories, jewelry, shoes, vintage handbags.  Accessories can completely change a look.

AW: How long have you been in business?
Loveless: I launched my business in Atlanta in September 2006.

AW: Where do you get your inspiration?
Loveless: Vintage handbags and jewelry, architecture, art, fabrics, photography – many things.

AW: Why use the exotic skins to create a bag?
Loveless: They are timeless materials and look more beautiful as they age.


AW: What are some tips to finding the perfect bag?
Loveless: That is completely dependent on the individual.  Some clients may carry the same bag every day while others may own a specific style in a variety of colors.
 
AW: How long does it take to create a bag, from concept to being offered in your boutique?
Loveless: We start with a sketch and create hard line drawings and then a 3-D prototype.  We then choose the fabrics and finishes that we think work best. Finally, we hand select the stones that work best for the hardware and findings.

AW: Your Education/Background
Loveless: I have a BFA in interior design from the University of Georgia and a graduate degree from Parsons School of Design in Fashion marketing.


AW: Is designing bags something you can learn in school or something you fell into?
Loveless: I have spent my career working in decorative arts and in luxury goods.  I knew I wanted to design something that would be special and unique, and I felt there was an opportunity in the market to design beautiful handmade handbags that could be customized and have actual jeweled clasps.

AW: Describe the first time your bags were featured/used in Mercedes-Benz fashion week.
Loveless: It was a great experience.  I have been a longtime fan of Bryan Bradley (designer of Tuleh) and was thrilled that he liked my collection.  We worked on custom colors in crocodile and alligator to compliment his spring 2008 collection.


AW: What's your favorite bag that you've created?
Loveless: I really love all of them, but I carry my Baccus tote every day. It's great for travel and holds everything!

AW: How old are you? How old were you when you realized you wanted to design?
Loveless:I am thirty-six, but I have always loved fashion history and design. I always knew I would work in this industry.

AW: Have you ever gotten discouraged when trying to make it as a designer?
Loveless: Of course.  Not every silhouette works. Not every piece of hardware works like you hope.  To a large degree, it is an exercise in perseverance .  However, I try to focus on all the positive things that are happening with the line. Neiman Marcus picked up the line this past fall, and we have just been picked up by Stanley Korshak in Dallas as well as other luxury boutiques across the country. Also, Candace Bushnell just carried one of our handbags to the "Sex and the City" movie premiere, which was very exciting!

AW: Where does a young lady find a fashion mentor if  she wants to do what you are doing?
Loveless: Internships are a great way to learn about the business and really see what it takes to make a business run day to day.  I had several internships in the beginning of my career and they were so beneficial to help me figure what I really enjoyed doing and what I did not want to do.  I have worked in all aspects of the industry; design, marketing, public relations, on the editorial side before coming back to my roots as a designer.  However, it took doing all of those other things to realize what I truly love.

AW: When starting your business, how did you market your handbags?
Loveless:I hosted trunk shows, and clients found out about the line by word of mouth.

AW: How did you finance your fledging business in the beginning?
Loveless: Self funded and my family has also been very supportive.

AW: A lot of government 'red tape' is involved to obtain exotic skins. Is that a
consistent problem?
Loveless: I have never experienced any problems.  It is a very regulated industry but as long as one follows protocol, you should not have any problems.

AW: As an entrepreneur, what are your plans for future growth?
Loveless: My plans are  to develop accessories for every part of your lifestyle -fun hobos and totes for day, clutches for evening, duffels, trolleys and train cases for travel. I am also working an environmentally conscious line using vegetable tanned leathers and exotic skins.