WARP handbags: The story behind the iconic Pakistani brand
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After seeing ferocious fashion icon Miranda Priestly carry a WARP handbag in "The Devil Wears Prada 2" earlier this year, the Pakistani leather brand experienced a surge in international interest thanks to its bags' signature accordion-like shapes and supple construction.
The editors here at "GMA" were equally curious about the brand's standout creations and wanted to know more.
To get the full scoop on WARP, we spoke over email with founder Hirra Babar about where she finds inspiration, the importance of the brand's Pakistani origins, and what she's learned over the past 10 years of being at the helm of this unique and instantly recognizable brand.
What inspires WARP's signature designs
WARP bags have a strong visual impact, with the majority of styles following a consistent visual vocabulary built on bold, geometric lines and raised, textural patterns.
Babar said she draws inspiration from the "ordinary things" all around and finds fresh ways of seeing them.
"I'm drawn to things that evoke the senses, forms you want to touch, hold, feel or interact with," she explained. "From there, we reinterpret them through WARP's visual language of spatial and geometric forms, transforming something familiar into something unexpected."
The artisans who create the bags are also a source of inspiration, as Babar notes "construction, texture and techniques are as important to the design as the shape itself."
Attainable luxury, made with care in Pakistan
Pricing for WARP bags currently ranges from at $260 to $580, landing these handcrafted beauties firmly in the "attainable luxury" category, generally considered to be $100 to $1,000. With many folks moving away from the ultra-fast trend cycles in lieu of something intentional, a bag this price can be a worthwhile investment.
"For us, attainable luxury is about creating something exceptional without making it inaccessible," Babar said, adding, "We want every WARP piece to feel like a worthwhile investment not simply because of its price or materials, but because of the design, the way it is made and the thought behind every detail."
Babar also highlighted the "incredible depth of skill in Pakistan" and emphasized the company's commitment to showcasing that in a way that reflects beautifully on the country's artisans.
"We want Made in Pakistan to be accessible to a wider audience, but also to change the way people perceive what it can represent," she said.
Lessons learned during 10 years of WARP
"There will always be trends, pressures, opinions and opportunities that make you question your direction, but you have to know what is fundamental to your brand and protect it," Babar explained when asked about the biggest lessons she's learned over a decade of running her business. "For me, staying true to WARP's point of view has always mattered more than chasing every opportunity."
Community is also key, a component Babar called her "biggest asset."
Customers aren't just customers to Babar, they're the people who believe in her and stay by her side as the brand grows and changes -- a connection that goes far deeper than simple marketing.
Her final lesson? Consistency.
"There isn't necessarily one moment when you suddenly make it," Babar told us. "It's the accumulation of showing up, improving your product, maintaining your standards and building trust over time."
Hirra Babar's favorite WARP bags
We asked Babar to pick some of the most notable bags currently on the site and tell us why she loves them.
Babar's picks:
"The Classic Minibag is probably the best example of our statement-making pieces. It has such a strong presence that it almost becomes the outfit itself."
"The Accordion is almost the opposite. It was already one of our bestsellers long before Meryl Streep carried it in The Devil Wears Prada 2, because it answers a very real need. It's a big, chic bag that people have made their own in so many ways, as an office bag, a laptop bag, an everyday bag."
"The Tobla has obviously had its own cultural moment, thanks to Anne Hathaway, which has been incredible to see. But I think the reason it has resonated is that it has a very recognizable silhouette that feels distinctive without being difficult to wear."
"And then there are the Crystal Petits, which are really about emotion. They're not necessarily the bag you buy because you need another bag; they're the bag you buy because it makes you happy."
More of our favorite Warp handbags
