The Vault: Ruba Shamsi

The talented owner and designer behind Flora speaks to us about the beautiful hand painted handbags inside her vault

The talented owner and designer behind Flora, Ruba Shamsi, speaks to us about the beautiful hand painted handbags inside her vault

How and when did your interest in handbags begin?

It began when I took admission in fashion school. I used to observe bags a lot. A few months back I painted my old white bag just for the sake of fun and it came out pretty well and that’s when I desided to do this on a bigger level.

What is your favourite handbag that you own?

The bag I painted for the first time, that’s my favorite because that’s where it all began.



Where did you get it?

I got that from a local shop in Dolmen Mall, Karachi.

Is there any bag that you are emotionally attached to and why?

I’m emotionally attached to my fairytale bag ‘VOILET’; reason being, that it was the first bag on which I tried to paint baroque patterns with a story picture in the centre which I always dreamed of. I have always been a lover of fairytales and baroque patterns with vintage elements and VOILET has it all.

Is there anything on your radar that you want to make in the future?

I’ve had my eyes on Dolce & Gabbana’s Sicily bags since forever. I wish to get that beauty someday and paint it and that would be the one I’ll keep for myself.