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From whimsical pop-art style clutches crafted by female inmates in Lebanon to minaudieres inspired by Tutankhamen’s headdress, these Middle Eastern handbag designers are the ones to watch out for
Whether it’s for their glamorous red-carpet designs or glittering fine jewellery, over the past decade, creatives from the Middle East have increasingly been in the spotlight. Taking centre stage now are handbag designers from the region. With celebrities like Beyoncé, Rihanna and Kylie Jenner carrying arm candy made by Arab designers, it’s obvious that the latter are harbouring their creativity in the right direction.
From Sarah Beydoun’s collaboration with French fashion label Chloe to L’Afshar’s acrylic box clothes, we take you through the coolest Arab handbag designers that need to be on your arm.
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Sarah’s Bag
With patrons including Queen Rania of Jordan, Amal Clooney and Beyoncé, Lebanese label Sarah’s Bag has made quite a name for itself both regionally and internationally. Founded in Beirut by Sarah Beydoun, the label’s quirky designs include playful clutches that are hand-embroidered with slogans, flowers or even Arabic calligraphy. Beydoun started the brand to give back to her community by employing underprivileged and incarcerated women as a way to rehabilitate them and update their skillset. The artisans are paid per bag they work on—regardless of whether it gets sold or not. We are currently eyeing her ‘Prozak’ minaudiere and her ‘Woody Nano Tote,’ which was the result of her collaboration with Chloe.
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Rula Galayani
Retailing in some of the Middle East’s most prestigious department stores like Harvey Nichols and Bloomingdales, Lebanese handbag label Rula Galayani is one we’ve got our eye on. Manufactured by artisans in Beirut, the label is best known for its edgy designs. Think calfskin box clutches featuring overlapping gold-and-silver pleated bracelets to put your hand in or a handcrafted clutch with polished laser-cut and gold-plated front inspired by the work of artist Mark Rothko.
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L’Afshar
From Kylie Jenner to Bella Hadid, and Celine Dion to Anne Hathaway, L’Afshar is a Dubai-based handbag label coveted by stylish celebrities globally. Founded by British-Iranian Lillian Afshar, the brand is known for its signature translucent box clutches that are both bold and timeless. Her popular ‘Eva’ bags are crafted from transparent acrylic and come in a crushed-ice finish or a quilted finish—both of which instantly stand out, as do their unique geometric shapes and colours.
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C by Cynthia
Minimalist, light and fuss-free, C by Cynthia’s handbags pack a punch with their detailing. Think a deep red leather tote with contrasting braided top handles or an emerald green envelope clutch made from textured leather in a soft yet structured silhouette. Founded by Cynthia Bouchakjian in Beirut, the brand designs purses that are practical, luxurious and are distinct all at once.
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Marzook
Hands down one of influencers’ and celebrities’ favourite handbag labels from the region, Marzook’s purses are all about the adage ‘more is more’. With a maximalist approach to design, their instantly recognisable ‘Pill’ clutches boast anything from an overload of crystals to an explosion of ostrich feathers. This Kuwait-based label was founded by siblings Fahad and Shouq Al Marzouk and each piece they create is a true objet d’art. Case in point: Their ‘Orb’ clutches are made from different materials including French oak, raffia and resin. The flaked Orb crafted from resin shell mixed with part-gold flakes and part-pink flakes is a unique piece.
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Okhtein
Founded in 2013 by sisters Aya and Mounaz Abdel Raouf, the Egyptian accessories label Okhtein is one of the region’s coolest. If Rihanna, Cardi B, Beyoncé and Kourtney Kardashian give their stamp of approval, we know it’s the real deal. Proudly flaunting their ‘Made in Egypt’ stamp, their purses boast fine Egyptian craftsmanship by underprivileged women. We love their work with metal that is both innovative and refined—think gold-tone spikes, bangle-shaped silver handles or even a full brass minaudiere adorned with an intricate pattern all over.
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Sabry/Marouf
A nappa leather clutch in the shape of Tutankhamen’s burial mask with acacia wood handles or a minaudiere inspired by the backbone of the Egyptian god Osiris made from resin and leather–Sabry/Marouf’s pieces are called ‘artefacts’ for good reason. Founded by Ahmed Sabry and Daki Marouf, the duo translate their love for ancient Egypt by creating unique-shaped handbags using interesting materials including Mediterranean ash wood and minerals like Alabaster.
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Also Read: We have our eyes on these Middle Eastern fashion brands
Also Read: These jewellery designers from the Middle East are worth their weight in gold