ZCAACD
There are a handful of designers who are synonymous with LA: Mike Amiri, Adolfo Sanchez, Kate and Laura Mulleavy (the designers behind Rodarte), Monique Lhuillier, and James Perse (just to name a few). There’s one more name that should be added to this list – Zach Cadwallader, the designer behind ZCAACD. An emerging designer with an intuitive knowledge of future trends and a keen eye for beautiful aesthetics, he’s diving headfirst into the world of couture while continuing to release innovative, visually beautiful, supremely practical handbags.
At this point, stepping into Cadwallader’s design studio feels more like visiting a friend’s office for coffee than entering an unapproachable space. Throughout the past year, we’ve collaborated several times on a small handful of projects and he’s someone I’m glad to call a friend. For as long as I’ve known him (which has been quite a while – we shared classes during our time at college), he has always had a clear vision for his brand. Seeing this vision develop and grow throughout the years has been incredible and there are many great things in store for this designer-to-watch.
“Perfection comes from ego, excellence comes from the heart.”
Regarding his design process, Cadwallader credits taking pottery classes as a major influence. “Pottery was one of my favorite things to learn in school, so it plays a big part in how I actually make the bags.” As he carefully shapes and stitches each piece by hand, this influence becomes apparent. Beyond his meticulous craftsmanship, Cadwallader truly values and appreciates each client and their dedication to his work, “I don’t focus on quantity - fifty loyal relationships are more meaningful to me than one million spectators.”
Bags aside, Cadwallader has begun his foray into couture creations. Making jackets for himself, friends, and on a client-commissioned basis, this is another accessory he’s become quite familiar with. He creates all his own clothing, making him an expert menswear designer. Aside from menswear, Cadwallader handcrafted an outfit for me to wear to LA Fashion Week in March of 2022 that was made using deadstock Oscar de la Renta fabric. Once again, he proves he’s a trendsetting visionary as the cut of the skirt was inspired by flower petals. For their Spring/Summer 2023 collection, Oscar de la Renta has a sweet and feminine miniskirt with an identical cut.
One thing we often chat about is our deeply held belief in being tenacious and holding hope for the future. It’s incredibly important to set goals and believe in your abilities. Don’t set limitations for yourself and know that you’re capable of achieving your desires in life. When things don’t go according to plan, you have to use it as a learning experience, keep pushing forward with a centered and positive mindset, and know that you are still successful and still capable of amazing things. Speaking on mishaps, Cadwallader says, “Any time I feel like I did something wrong, there is always a way to make things work out better than you expected.”
So, with multiple bag collections launched, a variety of charming jackets available for commission, and a segue into the world of couture, what’s next for Cadwallader and ZCAACD? Perhaps the Fashion Week circuit in 2023…but that’s a story for a later issue.
