As Beyonce becomes the latest celebrity to step out carrying a bag by UAE designer L'Afshar, it's the perfect time to look back at the brand's history.
British-born Iranian designer Lilian Afshar launched L’Afshar upon graduating from Esmod fashion school in 2013. Within three months, her bug-adorned bag designs were being hailed as the must-have accessory at Fashion Weeks by international style publications. The designer then began posting images of her latest creations to Instagram, where they quickly garnered public attention.
After stints living in London, Vancouver and Marbella, Afshar settled in Dubai, where her bags are produced. She describes her contemporary designs as equal parts architecture and art, thanks to their boxy styles and interesting industrial materials.
L’Afshar has become particularly well known for its signature marble-style clutch bags, which come in a range of colours and can be personalised – something the designer deems important. The brand’s unique selling point is its textures, which range from clear crystal-cut acrylic to croc-embossed leather.
Last week, Beyonce was spotted carrying the purple boxy Ida bag, and she is not the only celebrity fan of the brand. Bella Hadid, Kendall Jenner and little sister Kylie have all been seen with L’Afshar accessories in the past, while Alicia Keys carried the Pagoda bag to a pre-Grammys event last year. Over in Bollywood, Sonam Kapoor has been spotted carrying the label’s Lineas clutch.
The bags are stocked at high-end stores and e-tailors around the world, including Net-a-Porter, Bloomingdale’s and Moda Operandi.
