A new frontier with NAGHEDI

Fabric of Society:  Hi Sara, thank you so much for taking the time to chat with Fabric of Society – we are such big fans! We wanted to start with your incredible bags and the fabric you use. In a market that is naturally driven by leather bag sales, what inspired you to go against this grain and champion a new fabric for luxury bags?

Sara: "I was tired of watching handbags go out of style every few months and witnessing firsthand the overall wastefulness of the fashion industry. Despite working in the industry, I always carried the same bag for months, regardless of trends. I created the bag I wanted for myself–a durable bag that could go everywhere, while looking beautiful in the process. The aha moment happened while working with a neoprene sample for a separate project; I realized that it’s a material that can be stylish and polished, while retaining its laid-back feel and versatility. By hand-weaving our neoprene, we treat it as an artisanal fabric rather than just a performance material, bridging the gap between casual and luxury."

FoS: Can you tell us more about how you gather inspiration – is it through travel, art or the world around you? And how do you translate that into commercial design?

Sara: “I love to travel, especially anywhere near the ocean. It makes me feel grounded and able to tap into the creative part of myself. Travel gives me the space to turn off in a way that I don’t in the city, and I’m more receptive to finding details I want to include in future collections. When I’m in the city and need a new perspective, I visit fabric and trim stores in the Garment District or people watch in the West Village. Living in New York, you will always find me looking up, and I always find inspiration in the skyline.”

FoS: Your artisans work from home and you prioritise slow fashion and sustainability at a time when pressure is really on for luxury brands to deliver. Please can you tell us more about this decision to create a brand with purpose and a sense of responsibility?

Sara: “I founded NAGHEDI because I believe in creating with purpose and intention. Keeping our weaving process in-house and led by women is about staying true to NAGHEDI’s core values. We wanted to ensure that every piece is made with care and integrity, and we’ve been able to maintain consistent quality, foster long-term relationships, and create opportunities for women.”

FoS: What’s your favourite shoe and bag design from the new season collection (from SS26) and why?

Sara: “After all the cold weather we’ve had in New York, I’m excited to wear our new beaded St. Barths Medium Tote and the Gaia Sandals for a beach holiday this summer.”

FoS: When you see someone with your designs in real life do you a) play it cool, or b) instantly compliment them on their choice and tell them you designed it?

Sara: “It’s still very cool to see it on a stranger, but I’m very shy, I would never go up to anyone!”

FoS: It’s always vacation season as far as we are concerned, but when it comes to travelling on holiday, how many handbags is the right number to bring with you?

Sara: “I’m a minimalist when traveling. The great thing about our bags is that they reduce the need to pack a lot—you can carry our totes from the plane straight to the beach, and the interior pouch can be carried as a clutch in the evening. That said, if you want to pack more options, our bags are lightweight and most of them can pack flat in your luggage. I always carry at least one of our cosmetic cases or pouches; they’re perfect for toiletries, makeup, and even kids’ toys and snacks.”

FoS: Who is the NAGHEDI girl? And if you could see one of your bags being carried by anyone in the world, who would it be?

Sara: “She’s really everyone. She’s me, she’s my mom, she’s my friend, she’s my younger cousin, and even my daughter. Our pieces are really universal in that way. I love when I see our bags carried by a friend’s chic grandmother, or when I can convert someone who has only ever carried Chanel.”