Bag Club is part open studio, part boutique, part the coolest house party you’ve ever been to.
It’s hosted by Ilona Gerasimov, the Ukrainian-born designer behind Portland handbag company Kozha Numbers—kozha meaning “leather” in Ukrainian and numbers nodding to Gerasimov’s belief in lucky numbers and seeking out daily omens of good fortune. If you’ve stopped someone to compliment their sleek, black leather bag with circular silver hardware, chances are it was one of hers.
In May, Gerasimov decided to open the doors of her studio to everyone with a free, monthly party inside her previously private, by-appointment-only workspace—the next one takes place August 8. Guests can see exactly where Gerasimov and her team hand-craft every single bag, try things on, and meet other fans of the brand. But, for Gerasimov, it’s deeper than that.
“Bag Club is actually not about the bags,” she laughs. “They’re just an excuse to create a space for connection. It’s an invite to experience the studio, meet new people and be a part of something that feels a little unexpected.”
The inspiration at the heart of Bag Club is Gerasimov’s dad, Patel Gerasimov, a Ukrainian-American shoemaker. He suffered a stroke when Gerasimov was just 25, leaving him paralyzed and without the ability to speak. Gerasimov wanted to create something inspired by his spirit, love of community, and dedication to craftsmanship.
“He believed in good times and bringing people together,” says Gerasimov. “It’s also a reminder that life is meant to be shared.”
In his honor, Bag Club was born.
The first event in May came together with just four days’ notice. Gerasimov worked with her best friend Megan Sanchez, chef-owner at Farag’s (the seasonal patio restaurant behind Güero) to put together a special menu for the night. Farag’s wasn’t even open for the summer yet, which added to the appeal. Marigny supplied the wine. Gerasimov opened the doors to her studio, which houses a menagerie of meaningful art, furniture, books and objects she’s sourced thoughtfully, over many years. Black leather couches square off around mixed-metal and glass coffee tables. A book about handbags is stacked next to a cookbook from Los Angeles restaurant Gjelina on floating shelves—showing the diversity of where Gerasimov finds her inspiration. Family photographs are tucked in by textural vases, sculptural plants flourish next to standing midcentury chrome light fixtures. The walls are full of colorful paintings, mostly by friends. It’s super specific and very her—which is the whole point.
“A space can tell a story through the pieces you choose to surround yourself with,” she says. “Every item has energy and meaning. Whether it’s what you wear or what you bring into your home, it should be intentional. What makes people different is what makes them interesting.”
Despite the stylish setting, the crowd was decidedly unpretentious. Guests thumbed through racks of Kozha Numbers bags, wine in hand, chatting warmly. This speaks to the tone that Gerasimov sets as a host. She’s glamorous but down-to-earth, topping off everyone’s drinks and making introductions between friends all night.
“It’s cool to be nice!” Gerasimov says. “It’s also an opportunity to celebrate what makes Portland special and introduce people to other makers.”
Her dream is that Bag Club attendees will leave with new pals or potential collaborators, spinning out to create their own things. She knows first-hand the value in fostering friendships that can turn into something more.
July’s Bag Club was also a collaboration among friends, one over a decade in the making. Gerasimov partnered with Pamela Baker-Miller (owner of the legacy downtown Portland boutique Frances May) on a co-designed bag, the ‘Pamela Bag.’ For Gerasimov, the goal was never to throw two names together, but instead to create something that felt natural—and exciting!— for everyone involved.
“I’m drawn to people who have a similar spirit,” Gerasimov says. “Those who care about craftsmanship at the highest level.”
Like most Kozha Numbers bags, the Pamela is crafted from smooth black leather with accents of silver hardware.
“Black leather allows the shape of the bag to speak for itself, silver hardware adds strength,” Gerasimov says. “It feels timeless and architectural, classic and modern.”
But the ‘Pamela Bag’ is a touch more whimsical, with silky, ruched straps that extend into long ribbons. When it was seen pre-release at the recent, buzzy Bar Noto opening, someone dubbed it the “it girl bag of the summer.”
The next Bag Club will be on Saturday, August 8 at 1050 SE Woodward St. This one has an unexpected inspiration… cars. Gerasimov’s studio is two doors down from a garage space that houses a collection of vintage Porsches. During the inaugural Bag Club, the cars were on full display and a few guests had the chance to snoop through the garage and get a closer look. Think less Fast & The Furious, more elegant collectors items—a museum dedicated to automobiles.
After making friends with her Porsche-collecting neighbors and having a chance to sit inside the cars themselves, Gerasimov’s wheels were turning.
“Looking at the leather and the stitching, I was inspired right away to design a bag.”
As part of the August Bag Club, she’ll produce a colorway of bags developed to exactly match the cars in the garage next door. There will also be a custom leather and cherry ice cream flavor, created with Salt & Straw, plus wine from Rubato and The Marigny, and a DJ set by Lapaushi. Gerasimov hopes car lovers and bag buyers alike will notice the details, appreciate the design choices, and see the throughline between Porsches and purses.
“Both are highly personal objects that reflect your taste and the way you move through the world,” Gerasimov says.
Ultimately, she thinks it’s cool, and that’s her North Star. Gerasimov is always designing, curating and party planning based on her distinct POV. She hopes others will see themselves in it too, but that’s not what she’s doing it for.
“Even if just five people showed up, I know I’d have a ball.”
Kozha Numbers Bag Club’s next event takes place at 1050 SE Woodward on Saturday, August 8, 7 pm-midnight, kozhanumbers.com.