A Designer with Heart

Angelique Sabounjian began working at her family’s jewelry packaging manufacturing business since 2001, and in 2009 decided to venture on her own to create her own line of handbags called Tasché.

She set up her atelier in the heart of Bourj Hammoud and found that the area was rich in craftsmanship, and how it was on the verge of extinction.

She decided to meet with various local artisans and ateliers that were struggling to stay in business and realized that the Lebanese consumers failed to see the value of locally made products. She decided to do something about it.

During Beirut Design Week in 2013, she organized a tour called “The Craft Master Tour”, which aimed at introducing designers and the public to different craftsmen, local suppliers, and ateliers located in Bourj Hammoud. She wanted to create awareness and appreciation throughout Lebanon of locally made products.

She also took part in a round table discussion created by the British Council that gathered experts and key players in the region and Europe to discuss the creation of a local design council that would support local designers.

Sabounjian’s passion for design inspires others to support the purchase of locally designed and manufactured products in order to help sustain the economy in Lebanon.

For more info – Tasché