Dubai, UAE - Continuing the time old Egyptian tradition of jewellery making, modern Egyptian jewellery designers are now taking on the fashion world and achieving international renown. Whether it is Azza Fahmy's appearance at spring 2007 London Fashion Week, or Dima Rashid's Hollywood celebrity clientele, Egypt's jewellery artisans are taking the tradition passed down by the Pharaohs to the level of high-end fashion.
Among the first in the world to develop and fine-tune adornment, ancient Egyptians have been making jewellery for millennia, as long ago as 4000BC, in part stemming from beliefs that wearing certain symbols would provide spiritual protection. At the time all Egyptians - men, women, poor and upper class - wore jewellery, from broad-collared necklaces to armlets, bracelets, anklets and earrings. Jewellery gradually became a symbol of status, with kings and queens wearing precious gems and semi-precious stones (such as turquoise and lapis lazuli) laid in gold and silver. The most famous Egyptian jewellery collection of all is that of King Tutankhamun, exhibited in Cairo's Egyptian Museum, which bears witness to the fine craft developed by Egyptians of old.
Credited with turning modern Egyptian jewellery into a desirable fashion trend, Azza Fahmy has become a top designer not only in Egypt and the Middle East but increasingly around the world. Her stores are located across Egypt and the region, including Dubai, Jordan, Abu Dhabi, and Bahrain. Her collection is also distributed in the London store Kabiri and Fahmy is working towards opening her own store in England. Her trendy and beautiful designs have earned her clients such as Queen Rania of Jordan and actress Catherine Deneuve. Azza Fahmy Jewellery launched a collection at fashion designer Julien Macdonald's show during spring 2007 London Fashion Week.
The inspiration for Fahmy's unique fusion of modern and traditional, art and culture in her jewellery comes from a range of Arabic and Egyptian proverbs; poetic and philosophical influences that appear in the form of gorgeous calligraphy engraved in silver and gold on a range of stones. Her study of traditional jewellery-making features Bedouin, Mogul and Victorian techniques that are reflected in her pieces. Azza Fahmy has also authored a new book, Enchanted Jewellery of Egypt: The Traditional Art and Craft, published in April 2007 by the American University in Cairo press. The book reflects the tradition of jewellery - including techniques from different parts of Egypt and what they represent to jewellery makers and wearers across the country.
Blending ancient and modern technique with precious stones to create necklaces, earrings or bracelets, is the signature of another top Egyptian Jewellery designer, Dima Rashid. Rashid's fine designs are produced out of her studio in Cairo, where she gets her inspiration for embedding ancient Egyptian symbols into her jewellery. She carries her belief in the ancient faith over into her designs, such as the subtle suggestion of the folkloric protection symbol, the 'evil eye', incorporated into colourful gemstones laced in gold.
Rashid's unique designs quickly found international regard, being featured in Tatler, Financial Times, and worn by models on the cover of Vogue and other top fashion magazines. Being catapulted into the fashion world naturally earned Rashid a celebrity client list including models like Naomi Campbell, Adriana Lima and Linda Evangelista; actresses like Sarah Michelle Gellar, Eva Mendes, Vanessa Williams and Teri Hatcher; and singers like Shakira.
With a history of jewellery design spanning more than 6000 years, it comes as no surprise that Egypt continues to produce up-and-coming talent, with the most recent designers on the scene including Karma Sabet and Dina Maghawry. Sabet is known for mixing traditional ornaments with new and modern design, and has already shown her collection in Dubai. Dina Maghawry's taste is reflected in the smooth way she blends coloured stones together to form feminine earrings and necklaces. Her use of vibrant, nature-inspired colours is driving her designs forward, furthering international interest in Egyptian jewellery today.
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Notes to Editors
The Egyptian Tourism Authority has an ambitious strategic programme which aims to double visitor numbers, from 8 million in 2004 to 16 million in 2014.
In 2006, visitor numbers reached a record high of 9.1 million, an increase of 5.5% on 2005.
Archive press releases, fact sheets and free to download images can be found on www.egypt.travel and www.press.egypt.travel
About Egypt
Bordered by the Mediterranean to the North, and the Red Sea to the South East, Egypt is a diverse country full of hidden treasures.
Synonymous with the legends of the Pharaohs, Egypt offers a warm welcome by its friendly people and has a rich blend of culture and cuisine - combined with abundant coral reefs and luxurious beach resorts.
Egypt provides the perfect backdrop for those seeking guaranteed year-round sunshine, value for money, and the highest standards of accommodation and service.
For press inquiries please contact:
Stefanie Branke & Noha Hefny, TRACCS Public Relations.
T: 00971-4-3672530
E: Stefanie.branke@traccs.net or noha.hefny@traccs.net
For trade and public enquiries please contact:
Egyptian Tourism Authority office
www.egypt.travel
Egyptian Tourism Authority, Cairo
T: +202-262-6843
F: +202-263-7199
Contact Information:
Azza Fahmy Jewellery
General information: info@azzafahmy.com
Press: pr@azzafahmy.com
UK Press: Platinum PR Ltd
Tel: +44 208 954 0970
marquita@platinumpublicrelations.co.uk
www.azzafahmy.com
Dima Jewellery (Dima Rashid)
8 Salah El-Din St, Floor 4,
Apartment 44, Zamelek, Cairo,
Egypt
Tel: + 202 736 0867
Email: info@aldimajewellery.com
www.dimajewellery.com
Karma Sabet
Tel: +2012 212 9776
Email: kysabet@hotmail.com
Dina Maghawry Design
16 El Sayed El Bakry St. Off Brazil St,
Zamalek, Cairo,
Egypt.
Tel: +2012 322 3896
Email: info@aldimajewellery.com
www.dinamaghawry.com
© Press Release 2007
