Paraguayan designer Eliane Yahari is one of the latest national talents making waves abroad. After winning the prestigious Design-A-Bag Competition 2025 in Hong Kong with her “Yvoty Bag” (yvoty meaning “flower” in Guaraní), the 33-year-old leather artisan has transformed a deeply personal story into an award-winning design that blends craftsmanship, innovation, and Paraguayan identity.
“It was a very emotional moment,” Yahari tells The Asunción Times. “The first thing I thought of was my grandmother… I said to myself, ‘We did it.’”
Who is Eliane Yahari?
Eliane Yahari, founder of Ehari Atelier and Ehari Studio, is a fashion designer and leather artisan trained at the University of Buenos Aires. Alongside her academic background, she developed her leathercraft skills independently. Her creative journey began in childhood.
“While my grandmother sewed, I would sit beside her and make clothes for my dolls.” That early experience shaped her connection to handmade processes and materials. Years later, after her grandmother passed away, Yahari designed her own prom dress. Although she initially pursued a different degree, a leathercraft workshop changed her direction. “That was when I realised leatherwork would become my passion.”
She began creating pieces through trial and error, eventually selling them to friends and family. “It was all self-taught at the beginning,” she adds, noting that her formal studies later helped broaden her perspective. Today, she combines teaching with her creative practice, working as a design and pattern-making trainer while developing her own brands.
The story behind the Yvoty Bag
At the centre of Yahari’s success is the “Yvoty Bag,” a piece inspired by both personal memory and nature. The name itself carries meaning. “‘Yvoty’ means ‘flower’ in Guaraní.” The design is rooted in a phrase from her grandmother: “Like flowers, we can always bloom again, even after storms, loss, and difficult times.”
For Yahari, the bag is both symbolic and emotional. “It represents growth, transformation, and delicacy. It is also a tribute to my grandmother, who embodied resilience and grace.”
Beyond its narrative, the Yvoty Bag stands out for its innovative construction. Yahari used leather offcuts and developed a modular system based on interlocking elements. “The bag is assembled with minimal stitching. The leather elements are connected through structure rather than traditional seams.”
It consists of 72 leather circles arranged into 18 modules, creating a three-dimensional form. “The interwoven structure resembles a flower in full bloom,” she adds. This process reflects her broader design philosophy. “Nature is reflected in the form, identity in the narrative, and craftsmanship transforms the idea into a tangible object.”
A four-month journey to global recognition
The project took around four months to complete, from concept to final piece. When she was selected as a finalist and invited to Hong Kong, Yahari decided to start again.
“I wanted to present it in the best possible way. I cut and assembled everything by hand in less than a month. It was a major challenge.”
Her dedication paid off when she was announced as the global winner. “I felt deeply grateful… and very proud of myself. It was recognition not only of the piece, but of the entire process behind it.”
Yahari presented her work at APLF in Hong Kong, one of the leading international trade fairs in the leather industry. The experience was transformative. Winning the competition also opened new opportunities. “Professionally, it allows my work to reach an international audience. Connecting with people from different parts of the world was truly inspiring. I met incredibly talented creatives and exchanged ideas and perspectives.” As part of her prize, she received a scholarship to study at Arsutoria School in Milan. There, she explored the integration of technology into design.
“Through 3D design, I can explore forms, colours, and material behaviour before production. It also helps reduce waste.”
Expanding Ehari internationally
Looking to the future, Yahari hopes to grow her brand beyond Paraguay. “I want Ehari to become a consolidated brand with a strong identity and an international presence. I would love to see people wearing Ehari, connecting with the pieces, and making them their own.”
At the heart of her vision is a balance between tradition and innovation. “My Paraguayan identity is always present,” she explains. “It gives my work depth, warmth, and authenticity.”
Reflecting on her journey, Yahari highlights the importance of taking initiative. “I had a goal, and I went after it,” she says, recalling how she discovered the competition through an online search.
Her advice is clear: “Dreams do not appear on their own, you have to go out and find them.” She also emphasises persistence and self-belief. “It was not luck or privilege. It was faith, determination, and the decision to believe in myself.” For Yahari, this achievement is just the beginning.
To know more of her work, follow Eliane Yahari on Instagram.
