Some of the most influential Black figures — whether they’re in sports, acting, music or any other profession — have been able to have the honor of being on a magazine cover. Pablo Jones saw value in that, and he created the textile brand called Pablo’s Pieces, where he turned those iconic magazine covers into woven textiles. Whether you want to lay them on the floor or hang them up, the consumer knows that they’ll have something that will last them for years and years, instead of having something that can easily rip or become dingy.
Jones spoke with rolling out about the textiles, his process in making them and why he’s highlighting important Black figures.
Tell us about the brand.
I created this company because I had a collection of vintage magazines, and the goal was to try to figure out how to take paper magazines that are really dope but make them something that is more multifunctional and actually useful in life. We couldn’t find anybody else taking pictures of magazines and using them as actual decor in the physical world outside of paper. All of the art that I kept seeing was either paper or canvas — which are both natural fibers — and they’re very fragile. Pablo’s Pieces uses woven textiles to hang up on a clip that does not require a frame, so you’re able to revive some of the most iconic images and magazines of all time, but have it on your wall — and it’ll last another 50 to 100 years.
What does the process look like for making one?
We do them in batches. Me and my business partner do everything in batches, and it takes a few weeks to get a batch done. From there, we’re able to get it out to the world.
Why was it important for you to highlight Black figures?
Brad Pitt was never my hero; neither was Angelina Jolie. All the people that I looked up to were Black, which is why you see the people in the magazines are the top athletes and celebrities. Coincidentally, there are a lot of Black athletes and celebrities, but I choose to focus on the ones that I cater to, the ones that interest me and the people that are most like me. So, that’s why we choose a lot of the Black artists and celebrities.
What does fashion mean to you?
It’s freedom. I have a rug that says “Wall Art” in quotations, and it’s meant to give off a vibe like Virgil Abloh. And I say wall art, but this didn’t start off as wall art; I turned it into wall art. I built this, and I designed it. You can call it wall art or you can call it a rug. You can call it textile or tapestry — whatever you want to call it — but I will call it Pablo’s Pieces textile wall.
Where can people find you?
You can find me @pablospieces on Instagram.
