Tara Emad wears dress by Kojak Studio, minaudière by Okhtein. Shot in Egypt. Courtesy of Maison Pyramide
The Egyptian Fashion and Design Council is ready for launch. Years in the making, its five founding members include Abdelmalek Shamsi, commercial director at Shamsi for Trading & Agencies; Fatma Ghaly, managing director at Azza Fahmy Jewellery; Marie-Louis Bishara, designer, vice chairwoman, and partner at Bishara for Fashion; Paul Antaki, CEO Premium International for Credit Services; and Susan Sabet, publisher and editor of Pashion magazine. Together the members form a cohesive board boasting experience in design, production, retail, export, marketing, media, and public relations to develop and grow Egypt’s fashion, textile, cotton, and design industry.
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“Azza Fahmy and I started working on it over eight years ago, and when the revolution died down a bit, we rekindled it two years ago, joined by Marie Bishara,” shares Sabet who adds that her role is secretary general and Bishara will serve as president.
Egypt’s biggest accessories success story to date is Fashion Prize winner Okhtein. Launching their company with a few thousand dollars, the designers behind the bags and clutches, Made in Egypt, have since established a burgeoning business coveted around the world. Other designer brands on the rise include Sabry Marouf and Ismailaia. But while talent is keen to prosper in Egypt, fundamental structural support has always been limited, until now.
The EFDC’s mission is to boost initiatives for students, emerging and established designers, industry professionals and leaders, and to develop and showcase Egyptian designers and brands locally and internationally, promote export and tourism through preserving and nurturing the Egyptian heritage in design, fashion, and craft. It aims to source scholarships, internships, work placements, mentorships, and facilitate year-round workshops, events, and awards. The official launch is planned for mid-September; sign up now on www.the-efdc.com for further updates.
