Family Ties: Jonas Studio, NYC
There is a certain unique edge and attitude instantly perceptible in NYC-based brands. Being that we also call this amazing city home, we were instantly drawn to the remarkable men’s accessories handcrafted by the family-owned New York brand, Jonas Studio. We first came across their one-of-a-kind wristwear at the Liberty Fair tradeshow in Vegas, and upon our return to NYC, we paid a visit to their midtown design studio. What we witnessed was a smooth cohesive unit consisting of a mother, father, son and daughter, diligently churning out beautiful, assorted bracelets made from leather and rare raw materials. We also had a chat with Jonas Studio scion, Zachary about the big plans coming up in the near future.
What do our readers need to know about the origins and craftsmanship ethos of Jonas Studio?
Jonas Studio is a third generation family owned and ran company with its roots deeply embedded in NYC. Every piece made is inspired by the different districts of New York City. We view our handcrafted product as the finishing touch to a man’s wardrobe.
Being that it’s a family-owned company, what role do the different family members play in the business/design process?
Our parents are the designers and my sister and I aid with the other creative processes that help the wheels turn. Oliver is the canine of first impressions in the office.
“We view our handcrafted product as the finishing touch to a man’s wardrobe.”
What are the signature items/pieces that appear in every Jonas Studio collection?
We definitely have some staple pieces within each of our collections. A few examples of some of our staple pieces is our raw urban leather bracelet with our signature Jonas closure, our thin double wrap braided bracelet with our signature closure, and a third is our semi-precious dual tone bracelet with our signature barrel closure.
All your collections you create are named after different localities in NYC – can you explain the inspiration behind this?
We eat, sleep, and breathe NYC. We put emphasis on New York City in our designs because it’s where we live and create. We hope that our translations of the city make you feel a part of it no matter how close or far you are from the big apple.
You also mentioned something about your brand being invited to Pitti Uomo – please tell us more?
We had the fortunate opportunity of being invited to Pitti Uomo by Liberty Fairs. We learned how much of an impact the company has not only on a domestic basis, but also globally. It was great to be able to share our Jonas Studio lifestyle brand and bring our NYC inspired collections to Europe.
The new website for Jonas Studio is launching this Fall. What can we expect when it’s officially launched?
You can expect to see curated inspiring original collections inspired by all different NYC landmarks and locations. Our curated collections for each line will be constantly changing so it’ll be important to stay tuned! Expect engaging designs that are inspired by NYC.
What are the evolution plans for the Jonas Studio accessories brand – where do you see yourselves in the next 5-10 years?
In the next 5-10 years, we see ourselves predominantly online while selling to elevated stores with an appreciation for what we do and understand our purpose.
So, the mascot of your brand is the family dog – please tell us more about this adorable canine?
He goes by the name Oliver, and he’s a rescue dog. We like to consider Oliver as an everyday New Yorker just like the rest of us only with a lot more hair. He travels to the office every day and greets guests as they come and go. He has changed our lives just as much as we changed his.
The Jonas Family talks about #TheAdventureLife:
An unforgettable family past experience would hands down be our trips to Whistler Blackcomb in Vancouver. We are a family of adventurous skiers. A specific memorable experience as a family was when we took a t-bar across the top of the mountain. When we got off the t-bar the weather was treacherous with high winds. We had to take our skis off and carry them on our shoulders while walking across this really narrow edge while avoiding falling hundreds of feet into this chute. It was a terrifying but exhilarating moment we shared!
For more information about the launch of the Jonas Studio E-commerce site, visit here
