Iron Fashion and Travel Accessories Design · 2024
Sarban Leather Bag
- A' Design Award 2024 Iron Winner in Fashion and Travel Accessories Design
- Awarded April 15, 2024
- CLIENT: Fida
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 37,753
- Verification code 62B8BC7229 · Verify this award
About Sarban Leather Bag
Sarban is a handmade leather bag inspired by the Sarban Minaret in the Joybar neighborhood of Isfahan, Iran. The bag measures 300 mm by 120 mm by 230 mm and weighs about 613 grams. Natural camel leather is used, a material chosen for durability and for the historic role of the minaret as a guide for camels and caravans. Raised and recessed geometric shapes on the front recall the brickwork of the minaret, and a single brick tone follows the same reference. The design refers to an area where different religions coexist peacefully.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- This design is efficient both visually and functionally. The material used in this design is natural camel leather, which makes the product more durable. The source of inspiration for this design is an Iranian architectural building, which aims to introduce ancient Iranian art to the world. it's 23 cm x 30 cm x 12 cm bag and its weigh is about 613 g.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- this bag's physical information is: 300 mm x 120 mm x 230 mm
- Tags
- Bag, architecture, Sarban, Iran, peace
- Production Technology
- This bag was designed manually, with a pencil on paper, and also the method of making the initial pattern was done entirely by hand and using paper by trial and error. The protrusions and depressions on the front of the bag were prepared as manual patterns, and by sticking the shapes together with tape, they reached the final form and after reaching the paper pattern, the pattern was transferred to the leather and cut and collected and reached the final shape.
- Design Challenge
- This design is not just a product; it is a means to promote the sense of peace among humans. It aims to foster peace among different thoughts and religions. The region where the Sarban Minaret is located is a place where different religions converge and peacefully coexist. Sarban symbolizes peace. The challenge of this project was to transform an architectural structure into a leather bag and creat it. The forms that were shaped by bricks had to be replicated in the same way using leather, and all of these stages were done by hand.
- Project Duration
- This project was designed and executed in Iran in December 2020. The design and implementation of this project took two weeks to complete.
- Operation Flow
- This design has incorporated elements from Iranian culture to interact with the audience. Architecture is a part of Iranian art and culture, and through drawing inspiration from it and embodying it in the design of this bag, a connection has been established with the audience.
- Research
- The bag design was created through extensive online and field research in the field of architecture. The goal was to showcase ancient Iranian architectural structures and find an appropriate landmark. The Sarban Minaret was selected for the project, and extensive photography was conducted from different angles. The geometric patterns of the building were analyzed and sketched on paper. Paper templates were created using simplified patterns, and through an iterative process, the final design was achieved. The chosen structure aims to have a positive impact on human perception and promote a deeper understanding of peace.
- Inspiration
- This bag is a handmade product inspired by Iranian architecture and the Sarban minaret in the Joybar neighborhood of Isfahan. It reflects the peaceful coexistence of Jews, Kalimis and Muslims in that area. It has geometric shapes and a single color brick color that resemble the minaret’s design. It is made of camel leather that symbolizes the function of the minaret as a guide for camels and caravans.
- Image Credits
- Image One: Photograph by Arash Mehranfar/ Edited by Sahar Gholami/ Created by Aida Mehranfar (Fedacheram)/ Title of the artwork: Sarban/ Year of the image: 2023
Image Two: Photograph by Arash Mehranfar/ Edited by Sahar Gholami/ Created by Aida Mehranfar (Fedacheram)/ Title of the artwork: Sarban/ Year of the image: 2023
Image Three: Photograph by Arash Mehranfar/ Edited by Sahar Gholami/ Created by Aida Mehranfar (Fedacheram)/ Title of the artwork: Sarban/ Year of the image: 2020 - Patents
- Trademark Registration Number: 323838
Year of Trademark Registration: 2018
Jurisdiction: Intellectual Property Center of the State Organization for Registration of Deeds and Properties of the Islamic Republic of Iran
Colors of Sarban Leather Bag
Design Interview about Sarban Leather Bag
I have been inspired by the architectural form of an old Iranian building located in Isfahan to design the Sarban bag. This building is a minaret located in a neighborhood that houses people of three different religions. This topic was very interesting to me. that different religions live together. That's why I chose this building for the main idea. This building is used to see the founders of desert caravans during the Seljuk era of Iran. For this reason, it is called Sarban, and I gave the same name to the design that inspired me.
I focused on two themes in this work. First, to be able to create a design inspired by Iranian architecture. Because Iran has a very rich architectural history and I wanted to show it at the international level. To reflect the art and culture of my country and to achieve a minimal design inspired by traditional Iranian architecture and its integration with modern art so that it can both reflect the culture and art of my country and have the ability to communicate with the modern world. The second topic I wanted to reach was the reflection of the message of peace. Because I explained in the previous question, Sarban conveys the message of peace. For this reason, I was inspired by a music composed by my composer friend Behrouz Paygan, and this song is called "Peace Smell".
Because I am a designer who mostly draws inspiration from music, and music is one of my sources of inspiration in the field of my artistic activity.
Because I am a designer who mostly draws inspiration from music, and music is one of my sources of inspiration in the field of my artistic activity.
I really hope that I can find a connection with different nations by introducing Sarban to the international community. Because I have a long term in mind, Sarban is the starting point. That's why I participated in this competition so that I can carry out the caravan of my future plans and ideas through Sarban.
Designing Sarban was not an easy task. I went through a lot of trial and error to find the right pattern to present this design.
Sarban Minaret has many embossed and recessed motifs on its top, which are displayed by bricks. Summarizing these motifs and turning them into simpler motifs and reaching a form that provides the right quality is a time-consuming task. I wasn't sure this design would work until I ran the original with leather. But making the prototype and the result was very enjoyable for me.
Sarban Minaret has many embossed and recessed motifs on its top, which are displayed by bricks. Summarizing these motifs and turning them into simpler motifs and reaching a form that provides the right quality is a time-consuming task. I wasn't sure this design would work until I ran the original with leather. But making the prototype and the result was very enjoyable for me.
This was not a custom design. I designed it for the first time for the first Iranian national fashion festival and won the top three positions for the Sarban design. The theme of the festival was inspired by Iranian architectural monuments. After many searches to choose a suitable architectural building for inspiration, I was attracted by Sarban's design and chose it for inspiration.
Since I have been working in the field of designing and producing hand-stitched leather bags for about twelve years, I am in charge of it myself. I am the owner of the Fida brand, and with this brand name, I bring all my designs to the production stage.
My job is to design and produce leather bags, and Sarban is not the only bag I have ever designed. My interest in bags and design made me work in this field.
Fida has special customers for its special designs. People who like to be different from others and carry a special message with them. Those who don't look at the bag as just a means of carrying their daily things and like to have a different look are Sarban's target.
Sarban carries messages: the message of peace, a reflection of Iranian art and culture. In my opinion, objects that we relate to and can use in our daily lives can be more than tools if they have meaning and history. Sarban is a bag that carries the history of a culture and at the same time the message of peace.
Sarban is the name of the minaret that inspired me for the design. The literal meaning of this word in Persian language is:
"The sarban or caravan leader was an experienced and skilled person who was responsible for guiding and leading the caravan on land trade routes, such as the Silk Road. "Sarbans were usually familiar with trade routes, possible dangers, and safe places to rest and rest, including caravansaries along the way."
As this bag was among the winners of this competition, it can lead FIDA's goals to its destination like another bag. In fact, Sarban can be the starting point of Fida's movement towards progress and reaching the goal.
"The sarban or caravan leader was an experienced and skilled person who was responsible for guiding and leading the caravan on land trade routes, such as the Silk Road. "Sarbans were usually familiar with trade routes, possible dangers, and safe places to rest and rest, including caravansaries along the way."
As this bag was among the winners of this competition, it can lead FIDA's goals to its destination like another bag. In fact, Sarban can be the starting point of Fida's movement towards progress and reaching the goal.
At that time, I used drawing tools such as paper and pen to design this work. From the beginning to the end, everything is done by hand, even the implementation of the bag.
Perhaps the most unique aspect of my design is being inspired by music. I can make volume out of sound and use it to produce bags that carry different messages.
I did not collaborate with anyone to design and produce the bag itself, and I did all the steps myself. But the music I was inspired by is my friend and fellow composer Mr. Behrouz Paygan.
For this project, I needed to search a lot in the history of Iranian art. Also, research on the architecture of the Seljuk period, to express the art of that period and its integration with modern art.
I used Sarban's plan and its introduction so that I could have a start to introduce myself at the international level. I had heard a lot about the A design award competition and since I am interested in the country of Italy, I decided to try my luck and I am glad that I got a good answer.
Sarban's design helped me to get a more detailed view of Iranian architectural art, and this made me learn to look deeply. This helped me a lot for the designs I did after Sarban. Also, making the Sarban pattern was one of the most difficult stages of its production, and by doing it, I was able to improve my pattern making skills. Actually, the design and implementation of Sarban was a difficult challenge for me and I am happy that I was able to overcome it.
Grand Interview about Sarban Leather Bag
One of my interests in design is drawing inspiration from Iranian art and culture. In this context, architecture has served as an important source for my work "Sarban." I began by designing lines inspired by the brick muqarnas found in the neck of this minaret, analyzing their shapes. I then arranged these analyzed shapes together and, through methods of trial and error, arrived at a suitable pattern. Ultimately, I transformed this final volume into the shape of a bag, aiming to preserve its beauty while creating a functional product. I believe that art should not be limited to visual arts; even the tools we use in our daily lives can be considered works of art.
In fact, I am not directly discussing religion or having a religious message in this design. My intention in bringing up this issue is to illustrate that just as people of different faiths can coexist peacefully in a neighborhood surrounding this minaret, this approach can be applied to all aspects of life, allowing us to achieve peace with ourselves and others. This inner peace ultimately leads to social harmony. Therefore, the main topic I addressed by using religion as an example was the transmission of a message of peace. For me, this minaret can symbolizes peace, as it is situated in a place where the people around it have understood the concept of peace.
I didn't use any specific technique that has been used before for the execution of "Sarban." In most of my works that convey a special concept, I employ techniques that I have created myself. For this reason, I often hear from my audiences that they cannot replicate my designs exactly. The techniques I use in my leatherwork are specifically developed for my own designs, and this process brings me a lot of joy. Essentially, creativity should not be limited to design; one can also be creative in the choice of techniques for a specific material.
It's very interesting that you used the word "journey." This is because, for each of my designs, I embark on an inner journey into my subconscious to reach the deepest layers of my being. In that moment, I can connect with my work and engage in a kind of conversation with it. When I started designing "Sarban," I explored its history as a beacon to guide caravans. This led me to a journey into the desert, where I witnessed moving caravans accompanied by their camels. Choosing camel leather was the deepest connection I could establish with this piece in terms of material selection. For me, choosing the right materials with appropriate color schemes is one of the essential pillars in presenting a work of art.
I have been working in the field of handmade leather bag design and production for about thirteen years. From the very beginning of my journey, alongside my passion for the art and culture of my country, I learned to express my interests, concerns, and inner feelings through the combination of leather and design. In fact, leather and design are the alphabet of my dialogue with the outside world. Therefore, it is very natural for me to depict my admiration for Iranian architecture in the form of a leather bag. After all, every person who works in the field of art showcases their art in some way, and I have a deep understanding of the language of leather and connect with it because it originates from nature and ultimately returns to it.
What an interesting question! In fact, I have a strong interest in the relationship between past and contemporary art, and I oppose mere imitation of traditional art. However, I also emphasize the importance of preserving the essence of traditional art. I believe that the integration of traditional and modern art should not disrupt the value and status of traditional art, and I am glad that you understood this point.overall, summarizing the old motifs of the Sarban minaret while maintaining its historical significance was a very delicate part of designing the Sarban bag. I needed to determine which elements to preserve and which to eliminate in order to achieve a minimal format that would not overshadow the composition and original value of the structure. The technique of summarization is something I learned in art school, and I started this process by summarizing the motifs of Persian carpets to create a visual logo. In fact, since my teenage years, I have been trained in summarization through my studies in graphic design.
As I mentioned earlier, I am very interested in placing functional items within the category of fine arts. Many times, due to the inherent practicality of bags, I am not allowed to participate in fine arts exhibitions, simply because the primary nature of bags has always been their functionality. The fusion of leather bags with art is a pioneering move for me, as I aim to change the perception that bags can only be functional. All functional items can be transformed into dual-purpose objects by integrating design.
Creating handmade works has its own difficulties and challenges, and it is truly not an easy task. However, I personally prefer slow fashion to fast fashion. This is because it promotes production at a balanced pace, which helps preserve the environment. Contrary to the belief of many who think that using natural leather harms the environment, I believe that excessive and inappropriate use of this material is what causes damage. Throughout history, humans have used this material in a justified and measured way, and this practice not only does not cause harm but can also be seen as a form of recycling. If all these animal hides were to return to nature, it would not have the capacity to decompose them at that speed. Therefore, my biggest challenge in handmade production, while maintaining authenticity in material selection, is changing society's perception of leather. I strive to make them aware of the reality that using natural leather appropriately is much more logical than using synthetic leather made from plastic bases.
In general, my main focus is on the profound concepts that a piece of art, in the form of a leather bag, can convey. This is exactly the case with the "Sarban" product. It transcends being merely a functional item and embodies a message of peace, showcasing the peaceful nature of an Iranian. My entire effort is to use the language of art to introduce my country, Iran, to other nations and to correct the misconceptions that have formed about Iran.Cultural exchange between countries can have a significant impact in various fields, especially in fashion, which serves as one of the channels for international communication.
My advice to these artists is to adopt a dual perspective when drawing inspiration from architectural heritage for their designs. This means examining architectural structures both from a physical and a spiritual standpoint. For example, I used the forms of minarets for the physical structure of the Sarban bag, but for its inner concept, I drew upon the spiritual aspects of the neighborhood it represents, such as peace and the history of that area. Architectural structures can be likened to the human body. The human body is considered a flawless design, but when we place the spiritual and physical aspects together as a cohesive whole and bring these two dimensions into balance, we can create a perfect artistic work inspired by architecture. This body is defined by two dimensions: the spiritual and the physical.