It’s not everyday that history, fashion and archeology collide. Striking a balance between artistry, confidence and modesty is a challenge, but these Egyptian designers are masters at the craft. From the runways in Cairo to the pages of Vogue, household names like Temraza and Dina Shakar are steadily defining the perception of modern Egyptian clothing. While all of these designers borrow inspiration from the past to forecast Egypt’s fashionable future, their labels speak to the sheer diversity of the modern, fashion-conscious Egyptian woman. Each new experimentation with silhouettes, hand-made clothing or embroidery techniques symbolises a prosperous trajectory of Arab fashion. So who are the big names on everyone’s radar?

Deana Shabaan

Deana Shabaan is an eponymous fashion label best known for luxury couture design. Deana often draws inspiration from ancient Arabian, Indian, Grecian and Victorian textiles and silhouettes to deliver her signature flowing gowns. Whilst the evening and wedding dresses do best to catch the viewer’s eye, Shabaan’s latest Instagram posts boast a variety of her signature kaftans. 

 Her Kaftans are popular expressive clothing pieces for sophisticated day or night looks. These Kaftans would be the perfect touch of elegance to add to your summer holiday closet, or to add a touch of glamour to your weekend brunch look. 

Okhtein

Okhtein, translating to ‘sisters’ in Arabic, was founded by siblings Aya and Mounaz Abdelraouf. The dynamic, sister-duo have charmed and dressed the biggest names in pop culture from Beyonce and Gigi Hadid. 

Their aesthetic is a personification of “two worlds intertwined”, which marries their passion for jewellery and handbags into trademark designs. Learning the craftsmanship from local artisans, the handbags often feature embossed leather and brass that emulate the art and craftsmanship of traditional Egyptian culture. 

Temraza

Temraza is a powerhouse Egyptian fashion label that tastefully weaves modernity with a touch of Egyptian tradition. As evidenced by the brand’s pyramid-inspired monogram and structural silhouettes, the brand frequently draws inspiration from Egyptian symbolism to leave women who wear their clothing feeling effortlessly empowered. 

Farida Temraz, the founder and lead designer behind the brand first took the Arab fashion world by storm as the first and youngest Egyptian designer to successfully participate in London, Los Angeles, and New York Fashion Weeks where she was subsequently ‘Best Female Couture Designer’ at New York Fashion Week. 

Temraza is currently celebrating 10 years and is set to release its own monogram to commemorate this. In the words of the label, their next collection is all about evolution. It’s a celebration of their journey in fashion, a commemoration of women’s history in the fashion world and homage to Egypt’s undeniable contribution to the global fashion world. 

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Norine Farah

Norine Farah is a designer with a taste for the creative who grew up singing and painting. After education in Alexandria, she later made the move to Italy where she studied and found her love for design. Her first collection launched at Cairo Fashion Festival in 2014 and shortly after she joined the Cairo Couture Collections in 2015. A testament to her work, Farah went on to represent Egypt at the 2016 Paris Fashion Week in the Louvre.

Her traditional meets youthful bridal collection is one that can be worn around the globe, catering to most modern tastes. 

Dina Shaker

Dina Shaker is stylish, sophisticated, and chic. With slender lines and exquisite cuts, Shaker gives the high end version of high street retailer Zara. Her designs hone in on empowering women on their independence, strength and using the influences of ancient Egyptian fashion. Powerful asymmetric one sleeve silk tops can be spotted next to a hybrid pin-striped and monochrome blazer dress.

Shaker’s clothing is sold internationally from Beirut to London.

A Launch Party to Remember

Zahan

Zahan gifts figure-hugging gowns that borrow from Thierry Mugler’s eye for hourglass silhouettes. Their Instagram biography states that the brand is “bringing back royalty, one dress at a time”.

Regal, ruched at the waist, sporting sweetheart and bardot necklines – these are just a few of the entrancing features of Zahan’s dresses. Not shy of embellishments, overflowing fabric and the Bridgerton feel – this brand certainly one to watch across the globe.