The winter holiday season may be behind us, but in the Middle East the calendar never really stops — there is always another wedding, a night out or a cultural celebration waiting to be styled for. If you are already on the lookout for a new evening companion, this edit brings together standout handbags by Arabic designers who know exactly how to elevate an occasion.

Founded by Cairo-born sisters Aya and Mounaz Abdel Raouf, Okhtein is built on two creative worlds intertwined. Mounaz brings her love of jewelry into sculptural, occasion-ready bags, while Aya balances her sister’s flair for loud embellishment with a toned-down, minimal aesthetic.

Their evening bags often carry subtle nods to history: the Engraved Felucca Clutch features gold-plated brass inspired by ancient symbols of guidance; the Malleable Clutch reinterprets Arabian ceremonial adornment with hand-applied beadwork reminiscent of desert dunes; and the Bangle Clutch turns an Ancient Egyptian bangle into a modern wrist-held evening piece.

Dubai-based L’AFSHAR, founded by designer Lilian Afshar, is known for its sculptural evening bags that sit somewhere between accessory and art object. What started as an improvised acrylic clutch for her graduation runway collection quickly evolved into a signature style, now handcrafted in Dubai using materials like resin, acrylic and gold-plated hardware.

Known for her experimental approach to eveningwear, Yasmin Mansour brings the same spirit of innovation to her accessories. The Cycas Bag captures the core of her aesthetic. Made entirely by hand using a meticulous mille-feuille technique, each bag features layered silk organza that gives it a soft, sculptural texture and couture-like craftmenship, making every piece genuinely one of a kind.

Beirut-based Sarah’s Bag is as much a social enterprise as it is a fashion brand. It provides underprivileged Lebanese women with handcrafting work, which results in a collection of bags that pair cultural storytelling with exceptional artistry. The Lush Gold Box Clutch, for instance, takes around 60 hours to complete, with its structured shape covered in intricate gold, pearl and silver beadwork and finished with a sculptural murex clasp.

Kuwaiti sibling duo Marzook built their brand around a shared love of art, surrealism and sculptural design — all expressed through their signature circular forms. The circle, a symbol of unity and eternity, appears throughout their work and even in their intertwined logo, reflecting the creative partnership.

Their evening bags centre on bold spherical silhouettes crafted from resin, plexiglass and precious metals, often finished with Swarovski detailing.