Meet ZARA
4.22.26
ZC The Label was brought to my attention by another creative. Zara has designed a unique and fashionable handbag line that would be a perfect addition to anyone’s closet. I reached out to Zara to learn more about her and ZC The Label.
Here is Zara’s interview:
The Birth Of ZC The Label
How did ZC The Label come to life?
ZARA: “It started off being a general lover of accessories and kept saying to myself “wait… I can do that” while shopping for jewelry and bags. I started off making jewelry but made a transition to handbags because I felt like I could experiment more in that category. With the help of my mom and YouTube, I sewed my first handbag on her sewing machine and from there I was hooked.
Years later, I realized that my sewing skills didn’t match why I really wanted to designs and I didn’t want to stifle my creativity anymore so I went into manufacturing in 2021/22.
At the end of 2025, I changed my brand name from ZARACHIOMA to ZC the Label because of trademarking conflicts but I also think this new brand name feels more intentional for what I’m building.”
We would love to know the brains behind the brand.
Tell us about yourself and your love of fashion.
ZARA:“I’ve always loved fashion when I was a kid. There was a black-and-white striped pant set that I used to love to wear out every damn day and my mom was sick of it (laughs)
When I got a little bit older, I would stay up till 1 AM or 2 AM to binge watch runway shows on the style network. I just had to soak up as much as I could before I went to bed.
My relationship with fashion has always been pretty instinctive. I’m an introvert so I tend to be more bold with my clothing choices and not chasing every trend but
I pay more attention to how something feels, how it fits into real life, and whether it actually adds something meaningful to my look.
My background is actually in healthcare, so fashion became my creative outlet. I think that contrast helps in some sort of way.”
what is the energy behind ZC The Label? Who was it designed for?
ZARA: “The energy is confident, expressive, and a little bold without trying too hard.
As the designer and founder behind ZC The Label, I design for the woman who knows exactly who she is, even if her schedule is all over the place. She’s balancing a lot, but still cares about how she shows up. Whether she’s running errands, heading to work, or out for the night. She wants to feel put together without overthinking it.
She’s not minimal, and she’s definitely not boring. She appreciates details, textures, and pieces that do a little more, but still make sense for real life.
ZC The Label was made for the person who wants ease, but never at the expense of style.”
If your label had a fashion trend for 2026, what do you envision it to be?
ZARA: “I’d say it’s definitely animal print. I’ve been seeing a lot more animal print and not just your typical leopard and crocodile but zebra, cow, deer etc. I just love it. Also it’s so much easier to play with the animal print trend in an accessory, like a bag versus maybe a coat or pants.”
ZARA’S PICKS
if you had to pick your best handbags, which ones would they be and why?
ZARA: “This is a tough one because it’s like picking my favorite child. The Winnie bag is such a classic fave because it was my first design that I manufactured. Now that I’m a mom, I gravitate more towards bigger bags, which is why I made the Charlotte over-sized clutch; I can carry my son’s snacks and diapers in there without lugging a diaper bag. I wear that one out every single day. But the Zuri trunk is also a favorite because it’s just so damn cute, it really makes me feel like a bad bitch!”
What can we expect to see from ZC The Label in 2026?
ZARA: “Events, new designs, restocks of some favorite color ways (I’ve never restocked a bag before but it’s looking like I’ll be able to now) and more fun imagery.”
any tips on a how a future fashion designer can start their journey on building a successful fashion line?
ZARA:“The learning is in the doing. Do it now, make your mistakes and perfect it later.
You don’t need a full collection or a perfect brand identity to begin. Focus on one strong product and get it into people’s hands then learn and build from there.
Also, pay attention to what people actually respond to, not just what you personally like. I’ve definitely made that mistake before. There needs to be a balance between your creative vision and knowing what your customer wants. And finally, be patient.
Stay close to your vision but remain flexible enough to evolve, you’ll win long-term.”
Connect With Zara
A Letter From The Editor
Dear Readers,
Thank you for taking the time to read up this special issue of FASH FWD. I started this publication to not only share my love for Fashion, but to help other fashion creatives share their stories and the brands they’ve built. My goal is to make sure they are able to connect with community and by you reading their stories helps me do just that.
Thank You!
The Credits
Interviewer/Editor & Graphic Design:
Ashley Simien
Images Provided By:
Zara Bennett