DESIGNER COLLECTIONS

Designer: Emel Yildrim

Emel Yildrim is a passionate young woman who grew up watching her mother at work behind the sewing machine. Naturally, she developed a love for textiles early on; it is this eye for design, paired with her French and Turkish background, that developed her interest in balancing modern trends with traditional practices. 

"This collection was inspired by Yves Saint Laurent's Majorelle Garden, a two and half acre artist's landscape garden in Marrakesh, Morocco. 

There is untold beauty to be found here, with inspiration in every detail. From the plants and the lake to the winding paths that connect the two, there is no end to the garden’s allure. A vibrant shade of blue permeates the scenery in every direction, bringing the colors of the landscape to life and leaving no doubt that, despite its French origins, this is a Moroccan oasis.

My challenge in designing this collection was to balance modernity with both the delicate and the traditional, much like the Majorelle itself. By pairing vivid hues with the classic Moroccan tarz fabric, I aimed to capture the intricacy and spirit of Morocco. Handcrafted the way of generations past, each handbag is personally endued with the Moroccan touch and brings with it the vigor of the Western Kingdom, from our home to yours."

Designer: Dr. Lin Hightower

Dr. Lin Hightower is an international designer, professor at Kennesaw University, and three-time Fulbright Award Winner. In her visits to Morocco, Lin has assisted women in better understanding hand-woven textiles, sourcing materials, and the latest color trends. 

"The Kilim Collection, named so for the traditional tapestry-woven carpet, brings the Berber art of hanbal, or weaving, to a modern context with these effortlessly stunning handbags. A defining trait of the kilim is its many motifs, each expressing the hopes and desires of its weaver. Everything from safety and good fortune, to affluence and happiness, are wished into the carpets’ designs. Every pattern is unique, a fingerprint of dreams that speak volumes without a single word.

These bags were created in the same vein, each hand-stitched with the ambitions of their female creators. Rich patterns and quality fabric make each product stunning in its own right but it is the bags’ tacit nature -- the goals of their artisans and the motivations behind such -- that make this collection truly extraordinary."

Designer: Assiya Gourra

Assiya has always loved to learn; after being forced to quit school, she felt lost and so began to teach herself bracelet weaving to fill the void left by her lack of education. The challenge of the craft allowed Assiya to find herself again and design collections like these. Check out the rest of her story on our #MeetHer page above!

The Sabra Collection brings together an assortment of delicately vibrant, handmade jewelry that will take your breath away. Gently created with sabra, a silk made from the Saharan Aloe Vera Cactus, each piece in the Sabra Collection features a natural, metallic sheen reminiscent of the plant from which it came. Sought after for its quality, strength, and beauty, sabra is at the heart of these pieces; the various twists, loops, and knots that comprise this collection are all crafted with wire support, allowing them to be fitted for any occasion, and bring with them the luxury of the Moroccan desert.