The Vault: Hafsa Mehanti And Tasbih Qazi

The dynamic duo behind successful jewellery brand Esfir,  Hafsa Mehanti and Tasbih Qazi are entering the world of formal evening bags. We talk to them about their journey and their favourite pieces from their debut collection, Lustre

How and when did your interest in bags begin?

Hafsa: As a child, I loved to accessorise my outfits with the right bags (the shinier the better) and that’s really where my interest stems from – because a bag lets you express yourself in a way that is unique only to you, while transforming your look altogether.



What is your favourite clutch that you own and where did you get it?

Tasbih: Willows Tale from our upcoming collection has to be my favourite. It’s delicately handcrafted and I love how the sinewy branches intertwine with the birds to tell a story. The pop of green and the irregular structure of the bag really add dimension to any outfit.

Is there any piece you are emotionally attached to and why?

Tasbih: The absolute first piece we created holds sentimental value for me, and not just because it was the first. The Flaming Forest was created for my sister-in-law on her wedding, and an immense amount of love and care went into making it perfect. We’ve tried our level best to infuse the same amount of love and energy into all our other pieces.



Share a story with us about how you acquired one of your favorite pieces?

Hafsa: There’s a special story behind one of our pieces Swan Lake. This was inspired by an illustration that I saw as a child – which was a picture of a beautiful swan swimming in a silver lake. For some reason, that image has stuck with me throughout the years, and when we were brainstorming ideas for what to create – it suddenly came to me, I could now make my dream bag! And that’s how Swan Lake came into being.

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

Hafsa:  Esfir Lustre – which is our premium accessories line – will initially start with a formal line of bags, but after that the world is our oyster, and this is just the beginning, so it’s safe to say everything is on our radar!