Once a butler for a Lake Forest family, Jason Loper, 30, now spends his days designing purses and messenger bags under the name Zola Jones Designs. His creations–such as “Rough Day @ the Office” bags, which are adorned with faux ties–first took off at street festivals and were soon snapped up by area boutiques. Loper incorporates recycled seat belts and seat-belt buckles in his latest bag collection, called “Bumpy Ride.”
We talked to Loper about his seat-belt fetish, Chuck Taylors and half-price Wednesdays at the junkyard.
Q. What’s with your fascination with cars?
I grew up in Ohio and my family took a lot of road trips in the Midwest, so I feel like I spent my childhood in the back seat of a car.
Q. The seat belts and seat-belt buckles you use are from a lot of different car models. Where do you get them?
I hunted around for a junkyard and found U-Pull-It at North and Cicero. It’s a huge, muddy lot where all the cars are separated by make–GM, Chrysler, Ford, everything. You literally have to crawl into some of the cars to snoop around. The place charges $2 admission, and parts are half-price on Wednesday. I usually come home with two grocery bags full of stuff.
Q. How do you dress to go digging around in junk?
I learned not to wear Chuck Taylors. The first time, I had some on and I stepped on glass. So now I wear really thick shoes and cargo pants. I actually think it’s the first time I used cargo pants for what they’re meant for because I come equipped with scissors and bolt cutters in the pockets.
Q. Are there certain cars that are gold-mines for you?
Any time there’s a van, it’s pay dirt. There’s, like, eight seat belts in those things!
Q. How do you manage to entertain yourself while scrounging around in cars for a day? Do you at least bring your iPod?
People watching is entertaining enough. You see all these big, dirty guys struggling to take out transmissions and radiators. It’s a hoot, an adventure.
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Q. Do you consider yourself an environmentally conscious guy?
Really, this is a method of recycling. I’m always aware that I’m creating something out of what would likely end up in a landfill.
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Where to buy
City Sole
2001 W. North Ave.,773-489-2001
Hazel
1902 W. Montrose Ave.,773-769-2227
Unique So Chique
4600 N. Magnolia St., 773-561-0324
Online at www.zolajones.com