Fiber Artist-Designer Amelia Samari Shapes Simple Rope Into Exquisite Baskets and Bags
We’re loving Samari’s elegant woven vessels that are as much art pieces as they are accessories.
“I like how versatile rope is,” Amelia Samari says. “I like that I can create so many different shapes, different sizes with it.” Woven structures have long been a passion for the Kaimukī designer, who has a background in fine arts, specifically in floor looms. “I’ve always been drawn to fiber work and that kind of cathartic, repetitive work—it’s very meditative and contemplative,” she says.
Her line emerged in 2015 as a fun hobby. Baskets came first, followed by bags a few years later. Since then, Samari has refined her aesthetic, honing her minimal silhouettes and muted, earthy palette. She counts the fashion world among her influences, along with her culture. “My dad was from Iran, which has a very rich textile history,” Samari says.
Photo: Courtesy of Amelia Samari
Photo: Courtesy of Amelia Samari
Photo: Courtesy of Amelia Samari
Photo: Courtesy of Amelia Samari
Photo: Courtesy of Amelia Samari
Her spiraled creations feature two types of rope, a cotton version with a relaxed, natural vibe and a nylon variety with a subtle sheen and dressier feel. Outfitted with top handles, the bestselling Mini bag boasts a dramatic V-shaped body. True to its name, the single-strap Miele bag mirrors the gentle curves of a honey pot.
Samari lived in Arizona for a spell, so the line includes a series of vessels—bowls, planters and baskets—that layer desert sunset hues. And the abstract Billow basket series (our fave) channels fluffy clouds with softly rounded handles that appear as if formed from puffs of air. Graceful and decidedly sculptural, they’re just as much art pieces as they are accessories.
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Brie Thalmann is the home and style editor of HONOLULU Magazine.
