Feature initially trashed Zola's material (6)
I believe the answer is:
chintz
'material' is the definition.
(I know that chintz is a type of material)
'feature initially trashed zola's' is the wordplay.
'feature' becomes 'chin' (facial feature).
'initially' suggests taking the first letters.
The first letters of 'trashed zolas' is 'tz'.
'chin'+'tz'='CHINTZ'
(Other definitions for chintz that I've seen before include "Cotton cloth with printed patterns used for furnishings" , "Printed cotton fabric for curtains or upholstery" , "Patterned fabric for soft furnishings" , "Floral cotton cloth" , "Glazed patterned fabric" .)