With the launch of our new site, we chose to start our Handbag interview with SARAH BEYDOUN, one of the first Middle Eastern designers whose products we sell in our Global Souk.

Sarah Beydoun fell into fashion almost by chance. With a sociology degree from university, her idea was to start a rehabilitation program for women in prison and prostitutes. And so a line of handbags was born. But no one imagined Beydoun, and her partner Sarah Nahouli would become such a phenomenon. The little clutches with Arabic quotes gained the favours of fashionistas across the Middle East, culminating with Queen Rania sporting one at Felipe of Spain’s wedding.

Beydoun shares with Dia her insights on her business and reveals the contents of her handbag.

Click here to buy Sarah’s Bag

How did you start designing bags – I believe you are a sociologist by training…?

After studying sociology at the American University of Beirut, I earned my master’s degree from the Université Saint Joseph, where I wrote my thesis on female prostitution and women in prison. I decided to set up “Sarah’s Bag” with my childhood friend Sarah Nahouli as part of a rehabilitation program, whereby women in prison would work and learn valuable skills in the creation of accessories in return for a reliable income. In the process, traditional expertise in embroidery crocheting and hand stitching would be revamped and presented in a contemporary way.

Did you have any idea the company would pick up as it did when you started? How many people work for you today?

When I first started my aim was purely social, I wanted to help these underprivileged women but instantly our creations were appreciated and started to be sought after, so Sarah and I took it very seriously. We never knew we would go that far (no business plan, no funds) but we were very cautious with each step we took because we knew we have so many women relying on us for their livelihood. Now we have over 100 people working with us.

Is there still a social program behind the bag manufacturing?

After almost 8 years we are still working with women in prison. In addition to Baabda prison we are now working with the Tripoli prison. Upon their release from prison they can continue working with us. We also encourage them to pass on their skills to a network around them. We have expanded our line to include a trendy selection of wedding and baby souvenirs, shawls, kaftans, sandals….So when there is less handwork in the bags they are working on other items.

What inspires you in your designs?

I absolutely love what I do, so look at every thing in terms of bags… a nice curtain can make a nice fabric for a bag…a funky wall paper print can be transformed into a print to be beaded… a door knob can make a odd bag handle…I also draw a lot from traditional expertise in handwork and from our cultural heritage. I love the fact that our bags reflect our culture, our identity as Middle-Easterners.

You’ve had your fare share of famous people sporting Sarah’s bags. Can you name a few?

Queen Rania of Jordan was the first, then came the French legend Catherine Deneuve; lately Lebanese director and actress Nadine Labaki was spotted wearing our bags on different occasions.

Do you have any plans to expand?

We are working on an expansion plan; in the mean time we are going to be selling on line from our own website www.sarahsbag.com and on Dia…of course!

And finally, what’s in your handbag?

As for the what’s in your bag…My bag  is always bursting with sample materials we are researching, a small book for ideas, my wallet my phone , my camera… and I only wear a Sarah’s bag!

Illustration by Gabriela Mot