Stuff We Love: Dareen Hakim's Montage Satchel

One of our holy grails of fashion (like tights that resist runs, or a miniskirt that won’t ride up) is a bag that’s big enough to fit our notebooks, wallet, and gadgets and gizmos aplenty ? and stylish enough that we actually look forward to carrying it. Which is why we dig the Montage satchel ($495), from the new fall/winter collection by New York–based designer Dareen Hakim. The roomy tote is made from super-supple Italian lambskin accented with silver- or copper-mesh side panels . “It’s a day bag that you can carry anywhere and goes with whatever you’re wearing, so it’s kind of simplistic in a way ? but when it turns or catches the light, suddenly you have this amazing glimmer,” says Hakim. “I wanted to make it utilitarian but still have it be a statement piece that incorporates a touch of unexpected boldness.”

That juxtaposition of natural and industrial, hard and soft, encapsulates Hakim’s design philosophy ? and she herself is a study in contrasts. Beirut born and California raised, she has a bachelor’s and an MBA from Harvard and spent five years in private equity on Wall Street before launching a second career as an accessories designer. Though she now lives in New York, she has plenty of fond memories of our fair city. “Whatever the original culture of Boston was has evolved into a blend of all these different cultures that have infused a little bit of themselves into the city,” she says. “And that’s the beauty of it. I love that mix ? it makes for something interesting and deep that reflects the past and the present.”

Hakim’s first collection launched in January of last year; now it’s sold in 20 states and 10 countries. The Mesh Collection won’t be in stores until the fall, but Bostonista readers can preorder pieces and shop her current offerings via the Facebook page.