You wouldn’t know it from looking at her, but Haya not only juggles being a mother to three children under four years of age, but also has her own handbag brand that makes us want to give her all our money! Take it all, we say, but keep giving us these fantastic bag designs that make us go gaga!
We love a little arm candy, and Haya keeps bringing us styles we can’t say no to! The Central St Martin’s alumni has always known that she wanted to be a designer, even from a very young age art and design was her passion. Studying at Central St Martin’s is no walk in the park, it is grueling and intense, Haya remembers her time as the “best and toughest thing” to happen to her. “Learning from my peers and teachers and being surrounded by really talented people was so rewarding! But it was also the sense of absolute responsibility on yourself in terms of showing up and giving your best – that makes you so resilient and strong,” Haya shares. While Haya studied in London, she also was working as a gallery agent at the Fashion Illustration Gallery where she was curating and selling art work.
In the past, her inspiration came from her immediate surroundings, but when creating pieces for Folklore she finds inspiration amongst people, while traveling, from new cultures and ways of living. But it’s not just aesthetics for Haya, she strives to design bags that are functional, that’s why all of her bags can be styled and worn in many different ways. However, Haya especially appreciates the craftsmanship and details of design.
That is actually how Folklore was born, Haya actually refers to the brand as her first-born who is currently a tween. While working as a marketing manager curating events and photo shoots and for a renowned concept store, Haya came across a collective of brands that the store carried, and she fell in love with the beautiful construction of the garments, and that is when the idea of the brand was born. She chose the name Folklore because by definition it means the stories that pass down from generation to generation, it was her goal to illustrate that people have their own stories and mostly you can find out these stories with the content of their bags! We find that thought so intriguing, we might start peeking into people’s handbags!
The brand features contemporary aesthetics and focuses on artisan production and using only the best high quality sustainable materials available. That is why Haya produces her leather in Spain, which is one of the leading leather goods manufacturers, with many high fashion brands producing there. However, finding reputable suppliers has been one of the hardest parts of the business; while Haya was pregnant with her first two children, she visited the factory many times to ensure quality checks.
She now works with a family-owned leather goods manufacturer company in a small town in Spain. The town produces leather goods for some of the biggest names in fashion and is kind of the best kept secret in the industry. Haya recalls visiting the town for the first time, “It took me so long to find this place and when I finally visited the town it was like utopia! A small valley town surrounded by mountains and white Spanish architecture; it was shining so brightly from the sun; it was then I knew that I found the holy grain of leather manufacturing.” She still goes and visits the production of each collection. If that isn’t dedication, we don’t know what is!
Haya’s aim is for people who wear her bags to feel confident and empowered by choosing bags that are functional, fashionable, affordable and sustainable. She is planning to bring fresh new designs with every collection. We are so excited!
Currently, you can purchase Folklore bags at folklorethelabel.com and Harvey Nichols in Kuwait, but we are expecting to see the bag in many more retailers very soon. Follow @ folklorethelabel to stay current with the latest collections and styles.
