Every designer dreams of seeing the Queen of their homeland sporting one of their creations, and for Leen Abu Summaqa, that dream became an unforgettable reality. In 2022, Her Majesty Queen Rania of Jordan carried one of Leen’s unique handbags during Jordan’s 76th Independence Day celebration. “It was the greatest day of my life and a huge honour as Queen Rania is a true fashion icon and every designer dreams about this day. It felt surreal. I cried when I saw it and I couldn’t believe it,” she shares, looking back on that special moment.
The young Jordanian designer’s journey began in 2019 when she launched her namesake label, Leen Summaqa, driven by a passion for geometric shapes and triangular architecture. “I always wanted to be an architect but that didn’t work out and I love buildings in different shapes, mainly triangular. This made me want to create something that is different and a reflection of all those geometric buildings, except that they’re wearable,” she shared. This fascination translates into her designs, which are not only functional but also make bold, unique statements. “The brand is all about being your own unique self. You can wear it, style it, or carry it in any way that represents who you are.”
Based in Istanbul and shipping worldwide, her handbags are crafted to empower women, making them feel confident and edgy. With uniqueness at the heart of her brand’s identity, she wants the wearer to feel good about their style choices by creating handbags that are made ethically, sustainably, and uniquely. Her latest summer collection, which is completely handmade, echoes this sentiment. “It took nineteen days to create the bag from our latest collection, which is fully handmade. So, I believe the ethical values, sustainability, durability, and quality of our designs are what set us apart from other brands.”
“It’s all about creating something unique that stands out in a crowd.” And stand out they do – Leen’s bags have become synonymous with innovation and style, making waves in the fashion world and capturing the hearts of many, including royalty.
In an exclusive conversation with Soigné, the Jordanian designer walks us through her story and shares about everything we need to keep an eye out for from this unique brand.
Watch the full interview below:
