Dareen Hakim...calligraphic clutches!



For those who have been following UNDER YOUR ABAYA you should know me quite well by now ... I can't resist designer pieces which infuse both Middle Eastern and Western culture ... so when I came across Lebanese designer Dareen Hakim's Arabic inscribed handbags, clutches and wristlets I knew I had found something special.

The story behind her line of bags is even more special.

The gold, silver and bronze inscriptions include not just the typical "Ma'sha'allah" or "Habeebi", but also more meaningful and often beautiful phrases such as "Hapiness is a journey" and "Love is blind". Many of the messages inscribed on her bags are the messages of love, strength, hope, happiness and resilience that came from the people of her home country of Lebanon, people who cherished every day as if it was their last throughout the years Lebanon was marked by war and conflict.

Dareen is a Wall Street business woman-turned designer, who received an MBA from Harvard Business School and spent the first part of career helping young businesses and large corporations fulfill their potential and reach success, but had a hidden passion for fashion and beauty. She went on to manage worldwide beauty brands at Maybelline New York and L'Oreal Paris and a few years down the line left that behind to pursue her dream of establishing her own fashion line. Her bags are now sold in a variety of countries across the world, proof of her popularity and success.

Dareen's bag collections include chain bags, clutches and wristlets made from plush Italian lambskin and fine leather and the gold, silver and bronze plaques are hand-inscribed by craftsmen in Lebanon. You have the option of choosing the type of leather, colour, metal and inscription for your own custom made bag.

Where to buy your Dareen Hakim bag:

UAE

Crystal Temptations, Ground Floor, Wafi City Mall, Dubai

KSA

The Guest Room Boutique, Prince Mamdooh bin Abdulaziz Street, Al Safwa Commercial Center, Sulaimaniya, Riyadh

UK

Viola, 25 Connaught Street, Paddington, London

Dareen Hakim is also sold in numerous states in the USA as well as in Canada, Puerto Rico, Sweden and Greece. To find out their locations, check here.

Dareen Hakim can also be ordered online at DIA Boutique.

For more information, visit the Dareen Hakim website, or email her at info@dareenhakim.com.