A Well-Traveled Artistry
Craftswoman Jeni Bailey brings eclectic style to her line of custom leather goods
Jeni Bailey’s personal style is one derived from her passion for design. But her true muse is often found in locales beyond the Emerald Coast.
Bailey first caught the travel bug in her college days. But as the creative force behind En Lieu Design Co., a custom leather goods line of wearable and functional pieces, travel has become inherent to both her style and artistry.
“It’s all about making it unique in lieu of the typical thing you can buy,” Bailey said of her leather designs.
Tucked away in a private, appointmentonly space above Grayton Beach’s Monet Monet, this bespoke atelier is where Bailey breathes life into leather. There, she crafts customized leather bags, clutches, wallets, and more and hosts intimate ladies-night workshops, where creativity flows alongside champagne as she teaches guests to craft their own leather pieces.
Once the owner of a boutique in downtown Pensacola specializing in custom clothing, Bailey transitioned to freelance work and embraced motherhood after moving to 30A about 16 years ago.
For the last seven years, Bailey has been immersed in En Lieu, drawing upon her 17-year history in design.
“My passion lies in beautiful hides being fully utilized,” Bailey said. “I use every part of the hide for bags and the remaining leather to create small accessories. The process is utilitarian but less structured and more delicate because I come from a draping and fabrics background.”
Bailey’s journey in travel and design began at the University of Central Florida’s Burnett Honors College where she seized several opportunities to study abroad. From the vibrant streets of Madrid, Spain, to the Great Southern Land of Australia, her love for art and fashion blossomed, especially amidst the Asian-influenced culture in Melbourne. After graduating in 2003, Bailey attended design school in Southern California where her creative spirit flourished. Most recently, she’s traveled to countries including Colombia and Portugal.
Similar to the unique perspectives she imparts on her designs, Bailey’s personal style reflects her experiences, creating an effortlessly casual yet eclectic look. As a mother of three, comfort is key.
“My personal style is casual and quite simple,” Bailey said. “But like life, it’s so very hard to describe exactly what it is because there are many different elements that evolve and change.” What remains the same is her ability to find new ways to add a piece here or there that tells a story while maintaining a style that transcends fleeting trends. Texture, structure, and fit are top considerations.
“One of my favorite items is a shorter handmade silk kimono that I found in a vintage store in London back in 2013,” Bailey said.
At the time, Bailey was visiting London to spread her mother-in-law’s ashes in celebration of her life. During a bit of downtime, she saw the kimono at a local vintage store. Recalling her mother-in-law’s deep appreciation for Japanese culture, Bailey felt it was a fated find.
“The fact that I found this gem in the heart of London during this trip made it even more special,” she said.
But Bailey’s travel influences extend beyond fashion.
“Art museums, churches, and food—those spaces fuel my creativity,” she said. “When I journey, I light candles in cathedrals for my family, and as a foodie at heart, I often seek out authentic recipes during my travels.”
However, for the longest time, Bailey didn’t align the title of artist with her work.
“Instead, I’d call myself a creative,” she explained. “I love cooking, traveling, textures, and fabric, but I’ve realized that all of that comes together to create one’s personal style.”
Bailey’s latest En Lieu venture, the art of Italian sandal making soon enters the scene. In lieu of the average shoe shopping experience, Bailey will invite clients to handselect the leather and sandal style before witnessing the visionary work her magic. A last touch, Bailey will hotstamp each pair with the client’s name for an especially customized piece. And for those looking to add more En Lieu to their closet, Bailey’s lapel cashmere-lined scarves offer a fusion of luxury and practicality.
No matter the end design, there’s no doubt that Bailey’s craft is equal to artistry.
Sustainable Fashion: In order to create custom, quality leather goods, En Lieu Design Co. owner Jeni Bailey takes a slow approach to design and production, handcrafting each product herself with an attention to detail. Follow @enlieudesignco on Instagram to stay up to date on the latest leather offerings, workshops, and announcements. Private events, special orders, and unique finds from her travels await.
