Jason Loper

Biography

Ravenswood — Designer Jason Loper handcrafts his line of limited edition bags and accessories at the Zola Jones store and studio in Chicago’s Ravenswood neighborhood. Born and raised in the rural Midwest, Loper spent his childhood creating fashionable crafts while dreaming of an urban life. In 1997, after studying English at Wright State University, Loper moved to Chicago and began to realize his childhood dream of urban living. After careers in sales and management, Loper spent a year as a live-in household manager for a suburban couple. It was during this time that he returned to his love of crafting.

In 2003, Loper launched his line of handbags and messenger bags – naming it Zola Jones Designs in honor of the pet cat he and husband Michael adopted. Beginning with street fairs and art festivals, Zola Jones has grown from a small business operated out of an extra bedroom to a retail storefront location that serves as showroom and working studio.