While we are in NY for the fashion week (some updates to follow), we went to visit handbag designer Dareen Hakim in her mid-town showroom. Only a year old, and her brand already counts Henri Bendel and Intermix as stockists.

Having started off with soft-leather clutches with inscribed metal-plates that say "Wisdom and Strength", "Live and Laugh" and "My Love" in arabic, her latest collection uses mesh and hammered metal accents instead. You can still order her original bags, which you can customize with different leather colours and inscribed-plates, at her website www.dareenhakim.com

MAISON MICHEL-Floral lace boater with chain-£290-BROWNS

ROBERTO CAVALI-Onyx claw ring-£260-NET-A-PORTER