BagTrends: How did you get started in fashion?
Ashley Watson: I did an interdisciplinary fine art degree at the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design, which basically meant that I didn't have to choose anything specific. So, in my last year I took a couple of sewing classes and after I graduated I entered into a fashion design program in Vancouver. Once I began making bags from my father’s jackets, I started receiving orders right away. I then moved to New York to intern at Libertine and also soon started selling my bag to the Young Designers Market in Soho. I have continued since then.

BT: What inspirations led you to begin designing your own handbag line?
Ashley: I approach designing bags in an art objective kind of way. For instance, I like starting out with any kind of material and then seeing what I can possible create with it. And through that I’m able to produce handbags. I would definitely say I get my inspiration from the material.

BT: What urged you to become a more eco-conscious designer?
Ashley: Actually, using recycled leather started because I am impatient and wanted to make myself a bag and didn't have any other materials. Then after seeing my art piece I began to love the recycled quality of the leather, that worn look and the pockets and details that were already build in. It was ideal because people were becoming more concerned about the environment and how fashion was addressing this cause. Although, I don’t consider myself to be an intense environmentalist I love that I am not creating more waste. Throughout art school there was substantial amount of waste created by experiments that produced so much junk just for my own artistic exploration, like tons of drawings that didn't work out, ceramics that didn't fire properly, horrible garments or sewing swatches. So the recycled aspect became immensely important to me. I realized that I was using something that already exists and it has positively affected my business.

BT: Where do you find the recycled items available?
Ashley: I find the leather at charity thrift stores which is another thing that is really important to me. The fact that I can buy my materials and part of the money spent is going to be invested or used to make a contribution to the community is really important to me. So, I try to stay strictly with charitable thrift stores which it is becoming more difficult, as I need more leather.

BT: How are you able to turn the recycled materials such as a leather jacket into a haute leather bag?
Ashley: Well, the jacket goes through a huge consideration process based on its structured details like pockets, seams, vents, gathers, and pleats. I also take into account the palette and quality. Each one is one of a kind and the patterns are cut out differently. This spring I will start using old remnants for zipper tabs and other things.

BT: Who is your target audience?
Ashley: My bags are made for the intelligent bagista that likes having attention to detail and cares about what they buy. 

BT: Where do you plan to take your line for next season? Will you extend it into other eco-friendly products?
Ashley: At this point, I have no plans exactly to use other eco-friendly products. I would still like to explore more with the leather, making things like slippers and gloves and among others. You never know what will happen though.

BT: Where do the names of your bags derive from?
Ashley: Each bag is named after a British Columbia bird. Where I come from is really important to me. I am definitely a BC girl and very proud of the fact that I can still continue to live here and sell internationally.

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