Born and raised in Beirut, Sarah Beydoun has always possessed passions for craftsmanship and empowering underprivileged women through business, a philosophy that I hope to strengthen through The Zeitgeist. Sarah’s journey into the fashion industry started during her final year of pursuing a graduate degree in sociology when doing research at Dar Al Amal, an NGO that helps at-risk women, as well as women who were once imprisoned. Sarah decided she wanted to contribute to their rehabilitation by founding her own company that would train and employ the women she had met over the years. Since its founding in 2000, her brand, Sarah’s Bag, has taken the fashion industry by storm. The designs from Sarah’s Bag are always playful, unique, and hand crafted. The brand’s designs have been spotted on many inspiring women, including Amal Clooney. Many clutches from the brand have also been featured in numerous publications, such as Elle, Vogue UK, Vanity Fair Italia, Nylon, Vogue Brasil, and Bazaar España, as well as several notable websites — Refinery 29, The Coveteur, Far Fetch, Style, and The Business of Fashion, just to name a few. I am so honored to feature such an inspiring, empowering entrepreneur on The Zeitgeist this month.
Alexandra: When did you realize you wanted to pursue a career in the accessories industry?
Sarah: I was always interested in creativity and couldn’t imagine a lifetime of working in something that wasn’t creative; I just wasn’t very sure what creative field I was going to follow. Sarah’s Bag came to be via an unusual route – a master’s degree in sociology – certainly not the route I imagined!
A: I love your mission of training underprivileged or imprisoned women in Lebanon to create the intricate beading and handwork on your designs. Can you tell me a bit more about what inspired you to do so?
S: I launched Sarah’s Bag because I wanted to set up a project that will help underprivileged women and female prisoners rebuild their lives. 15 years ago, I was doing my graduate studies in sociology and conducting field research for my master’s thesis. I was working with a local NGO, Dar Al Amal, which teaches women at risk skills that will allow them to earn a living. I was inspired by my work with these women to start a business that would empower them and give them financial independence. Sarah’s Bag started as a fashion label and social enterprise that allowed me to combine my passion for fashion and design with the desire to make a difference in the lives of underprivileged women in Lebanon.
A: What was the biggest challenge you experienced when starting your own business, and how did you overcome it?
S: In the beginning it was definitely a challenge to put a team of artisans together. I used to go to Baabda Prison three times a week to develop a reliable group. You have to understand some of these women were traumatized, brutalized and depressed; each one had a story. Sometimes deadlines were not met, the work was not consistent but eventually, with time, we built up our team and some of our artisans today produce work of exquisite quality and artistry.
A: Where do you find inspiration for your designs?
S: Everything and anything can be an inspiration for a handbag; it really is like a canvas and I also see it as a statement piece that should stand out. Our seasonal collections can be inspired by the traditions and techniques of other cultures, or by my travels. I am also in love with Lebanese and Middle Eastern pop culture so that always features strongly in our collections. I love mixing that up with traditional handworked techniques. Sometimes inspiration can come from childhood memories, such as the bags and accessories inspired by Sabah and Umm Kulthum, or the delicious round kaak you can buy on the Corniche in Beirut, or the poetry of Nizar Qabbani!
A: If you could collaborate with anyone to design a handbag, whom would you choose?
S: I would love to collaborate with the new designer Alessandro Michele from Gucci. I like the meticulous attention to details and superb handwork that he infused in Gucci as it was evolving its aesthetics.
A: What piece of advice do you have to share with young entrepreneurs?
S: I think social enterprises are the business model of the future. It gives a business a competitive edge in today’s world, as consumers are socially aware and selective about where they spend their money. They don’t only want a beautiful unique piece to wear; they also want to know where it came from, who made it, and under what kind of conditions. They want to feel like they are contributing to something beyond a trendy brand.
