Sneak a peek into Debra Pletz's Handbags

' I believe in letting fabrics talk to me to decide what fabrics like to be paired with each other and for the style of the bag'

Debra Pletz, Be On The Scene Member and creator of women's handbag collection,' Zojja Uniquely You' from Charles Town, United States has sketched, stitched, sown and now signed, sealed and sent her creations across the ocean headed for our offices in London, just in time for our March event.

Having found herself in the stressful career of Law Enforcement, she would seek solace in being creative. Whether it was restoring her Victorian home, making props for Halloween, designing her garden or hand dying scarves. When receiving an unexpected visit from her mother, who encouraged her to make more scarves so her sister was able to sell them in New York at her work place over the Christmas holidays, on a whim, she decided to make some bags to go with the package. shortly after, friends and family asked her to make bags for them and just like that, Zojja was born.


I was fortunate enough to have the chance to ask Debra some questions on her process and designs.

What is the creative process you undergo from your sketching to putting together your pieces?

Some people may think I'm crazy and sometimes I'm really amazed at how it works, but the first thing I do is go into my fabric room and ask, "who wants to be a bag?"  I then go through the fabrics until I get a feeling about what fabric to work with next.  When I pull that fabric, I begin to get a sense of the shape that the fabric wants to be in and/or if it wants trimmings or not and then get to work!  Most times I design my own patterns according to the visual thoughts that are in my head for that particular fabric.  I've also learned that it is never a good idea to go against the initial thoughts of how the bag should be.  To give you an example, I once ignored the suggestions of the fabric and decided to add something else of my choosing for the bag.  When I went to sew it, the machine constantly jammed, needles broke, the seams ripped and nothing was going right.  I went back to the original fabric and ta da!  No more problems.  

           How many hours a day do you spend on your bag line?

I spend at least 4-5 hours a day actually sewing the bags.  Then factor in shipping out bags to those that have purchased them, preparing for the next bag, marketing, ordering more fabric and supplies, etc.  I'm pretty much always doing something for my business everyday for much of the day.  I do make a point to take breaks so I don't get burned out.  I rescue stray and feral cats and kittens so this helps me divert attention away from the business and relax and think about other things for awhile.

           How did you get retailers to take notice of you?

Since my bags are one of a kind, I market towards boutiques and on my website.  I try to get my items out into the fashion and accessories arena by way of Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Linkdin and on-line adds.  Since my line is of bohemian and gypsy, I think I stand out a little bit more in ways of uniqueness and people have responded to that.

           If you had to give any aspiring designer advice, what would it be?

Always stay true to who you are.  Do not give up your design aesthetic just to please the masses or follow trends because you will be miserable in the end.  Take the time to learn your craft and do it well.  Do not be afraid to ask for help from many different sources.  Have patience.  Things do not happen overnight but you will eventually get there with a lot of hard work and determination and it will be so worth it.

To view more of Debras' collection and to keep up to date on her news, visit her profile at www.beonthescene.com/members/debra_pletz.php

you can also see her designs on our catwalk at our March event
www.beonthescene.com/nextevent