Minimalist unveils Khoos-inspired handbag capsule for Emirati Women’s Day at Al Shindagha Museum

The UAE-born luxury leather house marked 10 years in business with "She is the Story," an intimate evening honouring Emirati women across generations.

Minimalist, the local luxury brand, unveiled two new handbag designs at a private Emirati Women's Day celebration held at Al Shindagha Museum on Saturday. Titled "She is the Story," the evening marked the brand's 10th anniversary and brought together over 100 guests for a seated programme built around a moderated conversation and a heritage craft experience alongside the reveal.

The two new pieces, Um Alyazia and Um Hessa, inspired by Khoos, the traditional Emirati weaving craft passed down through generations and available in Black & Tan, Taupe, Dark Brown, and Flame Red, extend Minimalist's Khoos-inspired leather collection and were presented alongside a curated selection of the brand's existing handbags. They continue a material story the brand has told since its earliest leather goods, when it introduced camel leather wallets crafted from leather sourced in Al Ain; every piece, then as now, handcrafted in the UAE.

"Our signature pattern may read as an 'M' at first glance, but its deeper inspiration comes from Khoos weaving, one of the UAE's most treasured traditional crafts,"said Ahmad Yousuf, Founder of Minimalist. "We liked the repetition and precision of the woven patterns, and wanted to reinterpret those qualities in a way that felt contemporary rather than literal."

Camel leather is one of the materials that immediately connects our products to this region, but we never chose it simply because of its symbolism. Dense structure gives it remarkable resistance to everyday wear, and over time it develops a rich patina that makes every piece uniquely its own.

The event's theme, and the new capsule itself, took their cue from khoos, the traditional Emirati craft of weaving dried palm fronds into functional objects,  passed down through generations and still practiced today in communities where palm trees have long been part of everyday life.

The same instinct runs through the brand's collection names, which carry Emirati women's names rather than English titles; among them Alyazia, Hessa, Mahra, Shamma, Maitha, Reem and Sheikha. "Giving our designs Emirati names was always intentional,"  Yousuf explains. "These are names many of us grew up hearing from our mothers, grandmothers, sisters and friends, so they create an immediate sense of familiarity and belonging."

The programme opened with a welcome tracing Minimalist's Dubai roots and growth, followed by a short film exploring the brand's story and design philosophy. The centrepiece was The Emirati Voices of Today, a moderated discussion on identity, ambition and legacy, led by (moderator name) and featuring Dr Suad Al Shamsi, the first Emirati female aeronautical engineer and a consultant specialising in technical projects, artificial intelligence and innovation in aviation; Amal Ibrahim, Emirati fashion designer and influencer; and Reem Al Kaabi, Emirati television presenter and influencer. A second film charting Minimalist's leather craftsmanship preceded the handbag unveiling, before the programme concluded with a tribute to the artisan behind the signature weaving technique, who was presented with a commemorative trophy.

Throughout the evening, guests explored a series of immersive experiences across the museum's Community Hall. Highlights included a live khoos weaving demonstration, where a heritage artisan guided guests through the traditional technique; an interactive display showcasing raw and camel leather, design sketches and material samples illustrating the journey from concept to finished product; a dedicated gallery featuring Minimalist's jewellery and watch collections; and a personalisation station where artisans hand-painted guests' initials in Arabic on heart- and star-shaped leather charms. A branded photo wall and guest signboard remained active throughout the event, before the evening concluded with networking as guests continued exploring the installations.