What goes into making one of summer's most exclusive bags? Cherine Magrabi talks to MOJEH about her debut collection, 13 BC, escapism and sustainability

"Any place that I can reconnect with and nurture myself, meditate, and spend time with people I don't see very often. Sometimes just being alone in a place that is comforting to you, or travelling is rewarding. I like to go to places that allow me to connect with nature, where you learn something new about the place, the people... I recently went to Cappadocia in Turkey, which was magical, and I'd like to see Iceland, Argentina, and more of Mexico."

"Yes, I'm very conscious of that. My way to be more sustainable is to work with artisans and protect the crafts that are slowly being extinct. For example, enamelling is a dying craft - fewer and fewer people are doing it the way we do - by hand. So each of our clutches is handpainted, each colour is mixed separately..."

"To keep the product limited, so that the owner feels special owning a piece, and knows that it is timeless. People also want to find things that have personality and the piece someone buys will say something about the character of the customer."

"One bag has 'Je suis venue te dire que... Je m'enfuis', which translates as 'I came to tell you... that I'm escaping'. It's a play on words from a Serge Gainsbourg song. Both Serge and Jane Birkin have always been an inspiration to me."

"I like the idea of 'nursing the kid in you', to continue to be mesmerised, and to find beauty and positivity in every situation."

"I'd say my move to Lebanon, where I witnessed tragedy converted into optimism. I think people here wash away their troubles and always seem to look on the brighter side. They always have this positive attitude."

"Never comprising on elegance, whatever state of mind you're in."

"Schiaparelli, for their use of art and heritage, and the way they create such timeless pieces; Pierpaolo Piccioli, for his use of colour and how he transformed the brand and created something for everyone. For shoes, Manolo always makes you feel feminine, elegant, special; and for fun evenings, I like Alevi Milano, created by a friend of mine, as they're super comfortable and sexy."

"Well, I have a collaboration with Mary Katrantzou next. I'm a great admirer of her work, her use of colour, her energy. We're launching two designs, that will hopefully be out later this summer."