The "it" girl behind Portland's "it" bag
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Photos: Courtesy of Ilóna Gerasimov and Kozha Numbers
Ilóna Gerasimov grew up watching "Sex and the City" and "Legally Blonde," but when it comes to inspiration for her own handbag brand, Kozha Numbers, she focuses on stylish functionality.
The big picture: In the 10 years since launching Kozha Numbers, Gerasimov has created a symbol, not of status — her bags have a much more attainable price point compared to Carrie Bradshaw's favored Fendi — but of Portland cool.
- Defined by its sheen black leather exterior, metallic hardware and thick silicone rubber straps, the brand has been featured in fashion publications like Racked and Who What Wear.
- Gerasimov designs sleek, minimalist accessories that signal effortlessness, which are often found on the shoulder of local Instagram influencers.
What she's saying: "The whole concept is to be able to wear sweatpants and then put the bag on, and all of a sudden you look put together and not like a hot mess because the accessory is pulling the weight," Gerasimov told Axios.
Catch up quick: Gerasimov's family left Ukraine and settled in Portland in the early '90s when she was nine months old. Her father was a shoemaker, and after spending so much time in his workshop as a kid, she wanted to follow in his footsteps.
- She got a degree in finance, and, in 2015, started Kozha Numbers (Kozha means leather in Ukrainian) with the intent of it being a shoe company. "Quickly, I discovered that it was so hard," she said.
- So she pivoted to bags.
Zoom in: The $255 "utility bag" was the first Gerasimov ever designed and remains a bestseller. It's made of only two pieces of "box calf" leather (the same kind Hermes uses), which are tanned, dyed, then stitched together to form a small, square pouch, punctuated by stainless steel grommets.
- As sales ticked up, Gerasimov began creating other styles, riffing on the utility's same minimalist shape — minis, baguettes, totes and wallets — and introduced specialty colors outside of the classic matte black.
- The recently launched "Lucky 25," a wide-body, carryall bag with a higher price point, has become a surprise favorite among customers, too.
What's next: Kozha Numbers remains a one-woman operation, with Gerasimov designing and hand-making every item, often thousands each year. She hasn't given up on the idea of adding shoes, and possibly clothes, to her collection in the next decade either.
- "The last 10 years have really proven over and over to create what I want to wear," Gerasimov said. "This is my art form in a way."