Luxury Accessories Label Talel Paris Defies Conventional Shapes
Leila Roukni, the Moroccan founder and artistic director, describes their bags as 'ungrateful’- here’s why.
Talel Paris embraces “ungrateful shapes and unreal dimensions” as its guiding design philosophy. Based in Paris, the luxury bags and accessories label was founded by French-Moroccan designer and artistic director Leila Roukni. Known for her contemporary, bold designs, Roukni focuses on unconventional silhouettes that challenge expectations. With only two collections released annually, Talel maintains an exclusive outlook on collection life-cycles, offering limited items that “will never be on sale”—and it’s Beyoncé-approved.
“I want to go against what everyone else does,” Roukni tells Scene Styled. “I design unexpected shapes and strange silhouettes that other brands don’t.” For her, the thrill lies in playing with proportions and surprising her audience. “Sticking to classic shapes just doesn’t make sense at Talel.” Her bags often take on architectural forms, evoking both strength and fluidity. Sharp lines and geometric angles give the designs a sculptural presence, defined by exaggerated contours.
When it comes to color, Talel steers clear of commercial norms, often delving into daring neon hues. While classic monochromes—black, white, and metallics—serve as a foundation, Roukni injects bursts of vivid reds, electric blues, and striking neon yellows. These bold accents strike a delicate balance between subtlety and audacity, embodying her desire to push boundaries without sacrificing elegance.
“There’s a clear standardization in the market, particularly in luxury, with safe business models and predictable product strategies,” she observes. “Everyone follows the same savoir-faire, the same designs, the same colors.” Dissatisfied with this conformity, Roukni set out to create something entirely her own. As she puts it, “Young designers want something different, something that doesn’t exist in the market.”
“Now that I work for myself, I create by desire, for pleasure, and I don’t compromise on the creative process,” she says. With over a decade of experience in the luxury market and leather goods industry, Roukni has honed her craft while working with iconic brands like Chloé, Isabel Marant, and Saint Laurent. This expertise likely contributed to Beyoncé’s decision to carry the Talel Triangle Bag, a standout piece that also happens to be Roukni’s favorite—especially the fur version, which she recommends for the winter season.
“I personally love working with leather. That’s why our collections feature a lot of it,” Roukni notes. However, she also experiments with innovative, sustainable materials and next-generation alternatives to conventional fabrics. Italian leather, recycled denim, and metallic finishes are combined with unexpected elements like plush faux fur—most notably the neon yellow furry bag—creating a striking tactile contrast. This approach reflects her commitment to exploring the visceral side of design, crafting pieces that captivate not just the eyes but the senses.
Minimalist in branding but maximalist in presence, Talel bags balance simplicity with avant-garde expression. Clean lines and a lack of overt logos let the designs speak for themselves, commanding attention through modern, conceptual forms. This understated elegance is paired with a surreal, almost futuristic influence. In her campaigns, models are often styled with fragmented plaster body casts, emphasizing the contrast between the rigid, geometric shapes of the bags and the organic human form.
“I enjoy designing accessories for people regardless of sex or gender,” Roukni explains. “Unisex fashion gives customers a new way to express their identity.” She often gravitates toward menswear pieces herself, which informs her inclusive approach to design. While any color can be gender-neutral, her collections often begin with a neutral base before expanding into vibrant hues that reflect each collection’s mood and theme.
“The colors and inspirations that shape my designs are drawn from my travels, but Morocco, my homeland, remains at the heart of it all,” she says. While Talel is a thoroughly contemporary brand, Morocco’s energy pulses subtly through its designs. The geometric forms of Roukni’s bags echo Moroccan architecture, and the vivid color palette reflects the vibrant streets of cities like Marrakesh, where earthy tones meet bursts of energetic hues. For her next photoshoot, she’s bringing it all back home.
