The LSSAN bag is a combination of geometric designs, symmetry, & vibrant colours that intrigue the eyes.

Putting a contemporary twist on an ancestral art form, LSSAN bag take us on a voyage of discovery within the circle, delineating patterns that repeat through different symmetries, like tiling and plaster carvings of North Africa and geometric patterns in Islamic art…

An article on the art of Moroccan design aesthetics and how it is inspiring the designers and artisans of the LSSAN bag.

I- LSSAN

II - Moroccan Design and LSSAN tooling

III - What's new in LSSAN 23 Bag?

IV- A new era of the LSSAN bag is upon us!

LSSAN - لسان

The word LSSAN comes from the Arabic word LISSAN which means "Tongue". LISSAN is pronounced LSSAN in the dialects of North Africa, especially in Morocco.

With its special shape, where the lower part of the front of the bag looks like a tongue, the choice of the name LSSAN for this collection were naturally obvious.

The LSSAN collection is inspired by the Moroccan tradition of leather, where craftsmen excel in artistic representation on leather, through geometric signs, the Amazigh alphabet (Berber) or simply by drawing inspiration from the rich and diverse nature of the country.

Moroccan Design and LSSAN tooling

Moroccan design is a unique blend of North African, Mediterranean & Islamic styles, creating a distinctive look which has inspired artists & designers all over the world.

LSSAN Bag designers have chosen to embellish it entirely with Moroccan design art forms. This beautiful, detailed technique was inspired by a traditional Moroccan craft called tooling. Used as way to enhance and add ornate details to saddles in the equestrian world, LSSAN's artisans meticulously adapted this technique, drawing by hand Moroccan design patterns.

In LSSAN bag design it’s all about details. Exquisite details and Islamic geometry & pattern are prominent across all aspects of this LSSAN bag.

Leather carving and stamping

The art of carving is one of the oldest traditions in history, Over the ages, Islamic Arabic calligraphy has been carved into architecture & objects. The most amazing carved details are found in Moroccan design aesthetics, with beautiful arabesque & Islamic geometric patterns.

Leather figure carving and stamping are often one of the more awe-inspiring types of leatherwork.

Stamping and carving are traditional methods of leather-working. This can also be referred to as “leather tooling".

Stamping is simply using a stamp (typically metal) that will leave a 3-D impression on the piece of leather. This can include letters, numbers, shapes, and designs. These tools range in size and style. 

Leather Carving, as the name implies, means carving an image into the leather creating more elaborate scenery and designs. This is where a swivel knife comes in handy. It allows the craftsman to cut into the surface of the leather to create more detailed shapes and figures. He then goes back over these shapes with stamps and tools, lending even more detail to his design.

Today, LSSAN's artisans are continuing this craft into the leather creating more elaborate scenery and designs, looking to add something a little more challenging to their leather work. The end result is a hand-embossed, detailed bag crafted from sculpted goatskin leather. The artisanal process takes over 36 hours to complete and is truly a work of art.

Geometric patterns

Islamic geometric design mixes elements of math, art, and history.

Geometric patterns are one of the most distinguishing features of Islamic art, thought to reflect the language of the universe & the greatness of creation. Geometric patterns (Tastir) used throughout Morocco are breathtaking. Repeating geometric patterns called “arabesque” is the symbol of eternity. In Islam, it prompts meditation on the eternal nature of God.

The beauty, mystery & genius of Islamic geometric patterns is timeless & universal. They express the principles & realities that govern the cosmos, the natural world & human nature.

Characteristics of Islamic art:

• The absence of voids, the large number of beautiful decorations.
• Having flat motifs, all graphics in Islamic art are not in relief.
• Abstraction and distancing from nature, mortals used to paint everything from imagination, not relying on nature.
• Islamic art is characterized by repetition and overlapping. The artist repeats the motifs in a distinctive way that draws attention.

Since depiction of the human form is not allowed in traditional Islamic art, the use of geometric designs as an art form continues to flourish.

Today, our LSSAN artisans are integrating this traditional artform in LSSAN Bags through carving and leather stamping.

Another pattern that emerged is floral patterns, called “tawriq.” Islam does not encourage the portrayal of animal figures or humans in art. So, beautiful geometric and floral patterns are the replacements.

Both tastir and tawriq patterns are on surfaces everywhere, using almost any material. The most popular materials are tile, wood, and stucco. It is not uncommon to find both patterns used together on floors, walls, and fountains. They can be cheerfully mixed and matched.

The camel, or dromedary (with one bump), in the case of Morocco has always been an important means of transport for the citizens, especially in the desert region.

Calligraphy

Calligraphy is deemed to be one of the most important elements of the Islamic and Moroccan art because of its focus on recording the name of Allah. The inscriptions are in Arabic, which might be a verse from the Qur’an, lines of poetry or names and dates. Calligraphy is mostly used to embellish mosques, palaces, houses, businesses and some public places.  Calligraphy is directly related to Geometry as the proportions of the letters tend to be governed by mathematics.

The new logo of LSSAN brand is an arabic calligraphic representation of the word LSSAN

Angles

Few right angles exist in Moroccan design. The doors and windows are arched or shaped in the traditional Islamic keyhole design. U-shaped entries and large domes further define Moroccan designs.

We find these absence of angles in the design of the LSSAN bag which is characterized by its fluid lines, except for the LSSAN 23 which has a rectangular structure.

Colors

Moroccan design incorporates bold colors, such as fuchsia, royal blue, deep purple, and vibrant red, with the soothing neutral colors of the desert, such as sand, taupe, beige, and shades of white.