A Tête-à-Tête with Ruba Shamsi Of Flora Ruba

No outfit is complete without accessories and one of the most sought out accessories we look for, are bags. Now some would argue shoes tie up a look but in our opinion, what really completes it is the perfect accessory you carry on your arm.

We spoke to one of the latest sensations – Flora Ruba’s designer, Ruba Shamsi, a designer of handbags – and not just any handbags – they’re one of a kind and hand painted!

What inspired the start of Flora Ruba?

I was always mesmerised with Dolce & Gabbana handbags. Flora came into being when I painted an old bag of mine and everyone seemed to love it!

Why Flora Ruba? What’s the story behind the name?

I named the brand FLORA, because florals are my thing & I enjoy painting flowers. I believe anything with florals can always be carried with confidence.

Do you hand paint every piece or are there other personalisations that you do?

Yes, I hand paint every single one of my pieces and never trace any print meaning I will always redraw it, no matter how many pieces I have to make. Apart from that, I customise prints as well if the client requires it.

What inspires your collections? Is there a theme per collection?

My main inspiration is mostly royal baroque patterns with the combination of florals, and of course the Dolce & Gabbana bags are what I get major inspiration from, too – something I don’t shy away from saying out loud.

If you could, who would you love to create a piece for? 

Frida Kahlo

What should we expect next? Tell us what’s in store!

Some bold coloured satchels are about to make a comeback. We are still researching on elements to put together to create the most appealing prints which should be hitting the store really soon! Stay tuned!