Lindsay Jones China Bones Debuts Today

By Chadner Navarro
September 12, 2011

Lindsay Jones

Designer Lindsay Jones of Lindsay Jones China Bones

Fashion veteran Lindsay Jones cut her teeth at Marc Jacobs, Zac Posen and Iisli. And later today, the Salt Lake City native will debut her own collection under the label Lindsay Jones China Bones. Truth be told, this is actually the second brand Jones has helmed—a couple of years ago, she launched her first collection, Outlaws of the Border, with her then husband Gautier Pellegrin. (Heidi Klum was a fan of the smartly tailored, drape-y, romantic collection.) When that fashion line folded, she reunited with Posen, who she'd worked for previously, to work on his couture line in Paris. Now she's back and set to wow with Lindsay Jones China Bones.

Lindsay Jones

photos taken by Lindsay Jones as she preps for her Spring 2012 collection, debuting today

In the middle of the pre-fashion show frenzy, Jones found a moment to speak with us about the unusual names of her labels, Zac Posen and what she’d like to do when Fashion Week is finally over.

The Inside Source: Did you always want to be a fashion designer?

Lindsay Jones: My aunt taught me to paint when I was two or something. I preferred making art over my toys and always had eccentric style. I guess I've always sort of known I needed to make art. Crossing over into design and fabric as a medium was just a matter of time. It was all heading that direction from day one.

The Inside Source: Was it a tough decision to put Outlaws on hold to work for Zac Posen in Paris?

Lindsay Jones: Outlaws was always self-funded. It was something I did on the side after work, but I am happy Outlaws gained such great support! I had no idea what Gautier and I were getting ourselves into back then. When we were launching Outlaws and had the cover of WWD [Women's Wear Daily] as our first editorial credit, the market was also crashing. In a way the timing was perfect to take on the position to assist Zac. It had become harder and harder to sustain Outlaws, and then Zac called me in and asked me to be his direct draping assistant for the couture gowns. I had never shown in Paris and learning directly under Zac in this way was a great way to gain great knowledge. Zac was Azzedine Alaia's draping assistant. True couture knowledge is passed down.

The Inside Source: How did working for Zac Posen come to be?

Lindsay Jones: I met Zac a few years ago at a trunk show. I loved his work and offered to intern right away. I interned there for some time, sourcing while still in school and later, designing. I am very grateful for my experiences there. After that, I had worked very hard for other fashion designers and myself. I was honored in the most way to be asked back.

Lindsay Jones

The invitation for Lindsay Jones' fashion show

The Inside Source: So now you’re doing China Bones. How did it come together? What's the aesthetic?

Lindsay Jones: This is truly a dream! I have the backing and support that I've needed. I have the means to create and develop on my own. I was at a transitional point and now everything has really come together. The aesthetic is top secret until the show, but [the inspiration is]: royal sea-punk, high priestess. I try to remember to stick with the core of the inspiration—the heart of the reason of any of it. Who cares about the rest?

The Inside Source: Did your work with Zac Posen inform this current collection?

Lindsay Jones: Zac taught me a great deal of technique. It was an intense process and growing experience that was different than what I had been previously exposed to. Zac just has it going on. So the learning experience, yes, did inform the current collection. The Lindsay Jones aesthetic, no. This fashion collection is very intimate for me. Design is similar to channeling a vision or story, and Zac and I are different instruments.

Lindsay Jones

here and below: inspiration, images and sketches for Lindsay Jones China Bones Spring 2012, debuting today

The Inside Source: What is different now from when you were doing Outlaws?

Lindsay Jones: Well, this label is under my own name and I am at a new moment in my life: Gautier and I have since parted, but I have learned much from Outlaws. I’ve shown in Paris and NYC with Zac, and got some nice traveling in. I also have one of my best friends in the world assisting me just now: Sibyl Buck, who has been a big time supporter and muse for me. I have had the time to develop in ways that were not available to me before, so I am very excited to share!

The Inside Source: Where did the names of the collections come from? Outlaws of the Border? Lindsay Jones China Bones?

Lindsay Jones: Gautier and I made a piece of art together inspired by the novel Outlaws of the Border by Jesse James. At the time I was tagging street walls with our artwork. Shhh... We were young and crazy.

A friend named me Diamond Bones some years back. It has become synonymous with my blog. Before [fashion] design, I was a sculptor. (I still am a sculptor. It is the heart of my work. I will be sculpting porcelain this year.) So I suppose the combination made sense for my brand. That and people often tell me I look like a China doll.

Lindsay Jones

The Inside Source: What are you looking to achieve with this collection?

Lindsay Jones: Funny, it has almost more become an obsession—my heart and soul to share. I suppose I hope to achieve a platform to sustain a long and lofty vision.

The Inside Source: How's prepping for your show going?

Lindsay Jones: It is going well. I am tired of course—working on my hands and knees non-stop. I am with such a great team, though, people I can trust that really pull through. For that I am incredibly honored.

Lindsay Jones

The Inside Source: What are your personal must-haves to get through it all?

Lindsay Jones: Rap, some whip cream, a wide brim hat, red lipstick, dark sunglasses, my garden gloves and the ocean.

The Inside Source: Do you do the party rounds?

Lindsay Jones: I am sure I will visit a few fashion parties. It is always great to see fabulous fashion friends and artists out and gathered. Fashion Week brings us all together. I love seeing shows. I love the energy. It makes all the hard work worth it! There is tremendous energy! All after my show is over, though, of course. Until then it is physically not possible.

The Inside Source: What are your plans once Fashion Week is over?

Lindsay Jones: I am going to rest on a mountain somewhere special. I will also be working on a super dope art collaboration with super talented female artists, but I will save that all for another hour.