A new accessories brand is giving young Lebanese artists a global platform through handmade scarves and bags designed to blend art, fashion and cultural identity.

Machabyme was founded in late 2024 by Angela Sarraf, a former journalist, after a visit to her homeland of Lebanon. During her trip, she met young artists struggling to sell their work during the country’s ongoing economic crisis.

“I never thought I was going to make a business in my life since I used to be a journalist,” Sarraf said. “But I was in Lebanon visiting my home country and I met several young talented Lebanese artists. They were painting and embroidering scarves and bags, and I was surprised by the beauty of their work.”

Many of the artists told Sarraf they were only able to sell a product every few months, making it difficult to survive financially. This led her to create Machabyme as a platform to showcase their work and connect them with customers beyond Lebanon’s borders.

“I told myself since they are so talented I have to help them,” Sarraf said. “I decided to create a platform called Machabyme for all of these young Lebanese artists to help them work not only in Lebanon but even abroad.”

Every Machabyme product is handmade in Lebanon. The collection includes hand-painted and embroidered scarves, clutches and tote bags. The brand now ships internationally, including to customers in the United States.

Sarraf said the production process is artisanal from start to finish.

“The scarves are hand-painted and embroidered as well as the bags,” she said. “The whole process is made in Lebanon and after that it becomes a piece of art traveling worldwide.”

Unlike traditional fashion brands, Machabyme does not mass-produce its designs. Each item is created in limited quantities to preserve individuality. Sarraf said the goal is to move away from commercial trends and toward unique, personal style.

“The purpose is to be unique and make women wearing Machabyme scarves or bags unique from others,” Sarraf said.

Sarraf described the brand as a long-term project focused on creativity rather than fast-fashion trends. She said customers are not just buying an accessory, but a personal piece of art that reflects their identity.

“It isn’t something you’ll get bored of,” Sarraf said. “It’ll be a permanent part of your clothes and life.”

Machabyme products and information can be found at machabyme.com.