There is a new high-end handbag brand that has reached the shore of fashion world with a bang and seems to have drawn the attention of many. Good for it! It’s in the news everywhere today for its sharp clean lines and usage of metal bases which have set them apart from other designs on the market. And the svelte lady who gave us this amazing product in the form of a precious gift two years ago is a New York-based handbag designer Lee Savage.

In an exclusive interview with Arab News, we sit down with her to know more about the brand as it makes a way for itself in an increasingly cut-throat market out there.

Savage started creating clutches and handbags inspired by her background in interior design and love of building. “This untapped desire of mine led me to build boxes out of Bristol board in my apartment, and as I tried to imagine how they might function as “fashion objects”, clutches seemed the most appropriate vehicle through which to showcase the designs I had in mind,” she says.

Her design skills weren’t shaped by attending any sort of fashion school other than a merely month-long summer intensive program at Parsons School of Design during her college years. So she credits her experience in interiors for the design skills she has today. “Whether designing a piece of furniture or selecting fabric for a sofa, everything I learnt translates readily across all facets of design - for instance, scale, color and functionality in my collections,” Savage points out.

These magnificent bags are made using plated brass as the base of each bag, which allows her to achieve very sharp points. She also uses smooth calf leather and skins brought in from around Europe. In Savage’s world, things that seem to stimulate her imagination are modern art and architecture. That being said, she is also touched by the artistic philosophies of conceptual artists like So LeWitt and Donald Judd who were masters of minimalism.

And when asked whether her heritage does hold sway over the designs, she said no way. “I don’t think my heritage plays a tremendous role in the current design of the bags as I’m constantly looking toward modern influences in art and architecture. However, as the brand ages, I see heritage becoming more important as I look to maintain the original vision,” she says.

Having established herself as a luxury handbag designer when it comes to designing exquisitely unique handbags, she feels she needs to keep up the “good work” as time goes by. “It’s been such a surreal process, and I’m incredibly grateful for the amazing response toward the designs to date. I’m fortunate to be able to do what I love as a profession,” she says. “This is where color plays a pivotal role as even a slight tonal difference can change the entire look of the bag. Continuity of quality is what counts at the end of the day.”

But what can’t be denied is that anything beautiful comes about in life with clear thinking and hard work. Savage learnt this lesson early on from her father who taught her the value of hard work without ever complaining. On a professional level, she is captivated by two well known designers. “From a design perspective, I greatly admire the work of Nicolas Ghesquiere and Josep Font. I’m continually blown away by their artistry,” she says.

So to make these bags based on their explicitly varied designs and patterns, Savage says, the actual production process takes about 3 to 4 months from start to finish. “You know you have to move forward step by step. You just can’t rush into it thinking it would be a miracle for you.”

And celebs like Elizabeth Banks, Jessica Alba, Kate Beckinsale, Anna Kendrick, Naomi Watts, Kate Hudson and Diane Kruger are all big fans of her clutches so much so that they can’t go out without them. “It’s not just celebrities that I love to see carrying my bags. In fact, I enjoy seeing everyone carry the bags, as each person has their own unique style and way of incorporating the clutch into their look,” she says.

Since her bags (spotted extensively in multiple Middle Eastern locations such as Symphony Styles, Rubaiyat, D’NA as well as shipping internationally through Barneys.com and Net-A-Porter.com) have received a strong response from Arab women, she has come to realize one thing crystal clear. “With regards to the clutches, the main difference that I have noticed is color and/or finish preference. Arab women seem to be attracted to warmer tones like gold and pink, while silver and grey seem to get a greater response in the West,” she says.

Not a type who rests on one’s laurels, she plans to diversify the product range. “I’m adding more “day” bags and other accessory categories. I’m also looking forward to seeing how the design aesthetics translate on the whole,” she says.

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