A well-crafted bag can be a lifelong companion, a memory of the countless places it has seen. Evoking the timelessness of this classic accessory, Ben Freedland designs the ZINK collection with a traveler’s sensibility and the passion of a craftsman. From the Jitney Duffel to the signature Steamship, ZINK bags are artfully made for the long haul.
A traveler at heart, Freedland explores Central America and Asia in search of the unique dyes, patterns and fabrics that set his handbags apart, whether a rich indigo fabric from Thailand or deep red dye from Sappan wood. Furthermore, supporting the global community that shapes the ZINK brand is an essential aspect of Freedland’s philosophy: each handbag is constructed by artisans from around the world, like the Mayan Indian weavers in Guatemala who developed bags for ZINK’s Goods of Conscience collaboration. Recently, Freedland partnered with Doi Tung, a development project for sustainability in Thailand that supplies all-natural fabrics, hand-woven by local craftsmen. “I love to give back,” Freedland says. “Part of ZINK’s DNA is to give back to communities where they do these crafts.”
When it came time for Freedland to choose a name for his designs, however, he looked closer to home: named after his grandfather, an award-winning Nantucket basket weaver, the brand embodies the careful craftsmanship that Robert Zink stood for. “I wanted to create a bag that was up to what his standards are,” Freedland remarks. That dedication to excellence is evident even in the smallest details of a ZINK bag’s construction, from its creamy Italian canvas to beautifully finished lacquer grommets and full brass and chrome hardware. “With ZINK,” Freedland says, “I’m trying to make a brand that stands for quality.”
As ZINK continues to evolve—Freedland plans to expand his line to include men’s accessories and an heirloom luxury collection—it remains true to its founding principle of timeless style. Each bag draws on elegant designs from the early twentieth century to the present, updated with pockets for the technology we can’t live without. “They’re classic shapes reinterpreted for today’s world,” Freedland observes. The ZINK woman is thus one in search of stylish pieces that last a lifetime, not merely a season. “She won’t buy a bag because it’s trendy,” Freedland says. “She’ll buy it because she loves it.”