Fashion, art, and design are all mediums that allow concepts and sources of inspiration to
stem from anywhere. Whatever’s close to our heart or individual to us can be expressed in
a visually engaging way, whether it’s the way we create or how we respond to creations.Toronto-based brand Naeela Designs demonstrates this process, drawing attention to experiences of sexual abuse by making intricately constructed mosaic purses.

cover image via Naeela Designs

Launched in the summer of 2019, Naeela Designs is the brainchild of handbag designer Naeela Chopra- an avid traveller and former victim of sexual abuse. The clutches and handbags are made by hand using carefully sourced pieces of mosaic tiles, stones, and recycled metal. Initially sketched with attention to detail and colour, the materials are then arranged to form seemingly vibrant works of art: kaleidoscopic florals and mesmerisingly textured yellows and greens, a fine gold chain that compliments the arrangement of stones. The overall effect is like wandering through an artsy landscape in a summery location.

“Mosaic represents the beauty in brokenness, but when I put it all together, it becomes a beautiful piece of art,” Chopra states in regards to her designs. “For the longest time, I had denied I am a sexual abuse survivor, probably because of the stigma associated with it. I started working with the concept of beauty in brokenness. I naturally gravitated towards mosaic tiles which have a broken element to it. Through a lot of experimentation and testing, it transformed into this beautiful and unique piece of art – an evening clutch.”

Via Naeela Designs

The uneven layout of the tiles and stones gives the appearance of being pieced together by hand, an arranging of the self done with optimistic and dazzling incentives. Given that purses and evening bags are such personal things, small and therefore consisting inside of selective and sometimes valued items, Naeela Designs’ products encapsulate that idea of individually building something noticeable from the fragmented or having a vibrant representation of the self. The use of discarded materials, too, highlights the bringing together of the lost or seemingly meaningless; things that once had meaning being given a new sense of life.

 

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Imagine a world without art.. Imagine streets with houses that all look the same. Everyone dressed in the same kind of clothes. A world without poetry, paintings or cinema. How would you express yourself? But importantly, how would you find yourself? ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀ “This is my #art. This is a piece of me! With #mosaic tiles, colored glass, stones, and metal pieces, I find myself every day. This is my way of telling people my story and my journey.” – Naeela ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ #naeeladesigns #mosaicart #handmade #handmadedesigns #express #creativityquotes #findingyourself #soulsearching #education #uniqueaccessories #oneofakind #handbags #bohochic #artinspo #consciousfashion #sustainablefashion #historyandculture #slingbags #artist

A post shared by Naeela Designs (@naeeladesigns) on Aug 7, 2019 at 8:06pm PDT

To address exceptionally personal and distressing experiences such as abuse through fashion can come across as frivolous and desensitizing but for Chopra it’s more about spreading the beauty that life can offer, her past being a (perhaps for many) relatable backstory that’s fuelled the concept of her brand. A portion of each sale is donated to charities that provide victims of sexual assault with resources and support during their healing process.

Shop Naeela Designs at www.naeeladesigns.com

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