Jillian studied fine arts at The University of Waterloo in Ontario Canada, followed by time spent working as a designer in the leather industry. Later she pursued a diploma in fashion design and construction at George Brown College, in Toronto, Canada. Jillian launched her first handbag collection on Etsy in 2009, shortly after moving with her husband to the Seattle area. Some of her first bag designs made a front page feature on Etsy, where she gained a following for her one of a kind statement pieces. Jillian uses a variety of eco-conscious materials to construct her handbags, these materials are made from a variety of recycled materials, remnants from cactus, apple and pineapple skins, that have been combined with a thick durable canvas, using innovative production processes and eco-friendly dyes and solvents that are friendly to the environment. The bold colors and prints featured in the pieces she makes, are inspired by her love of mid century fashion, furniture and architecture, bright florals and geometric prints. Each printed textile is designed from Jillian’s hand drawn sketches that she digitally designs and turns into a repeating print.