Egyptian designers

Photographed by Mous Lamrabat
Egyptian label Okhtein has announced its partnership with investment company Bidayat to fuel its international growth. Bidayat, founded by Valentino board chairman and Egypt’s former minister of trade and industry, Rachid Mohamed Rachid, will provide funding, know-how, operational support, and access to a global network of industry experts for the luxury brand. Bidayat acts as a catalyst for creatives and entrepreneurs in fashion, beauty, wellness, and lifestyle from MENA and Europe, helping to transform their ideas into globally recognized brands.
The Abdel Raouf siblings. Photographed by Amina Zaher
“As a growing brand from MENA, we are extremely excited to collaborate with a partner that shares common values and understands the unique opportunities and challenges entrepreneurs from the region face,” said Mounaz and Aya Abdel Raouf, founding sisters and designers of Okhtein. “Having a hands-on partner like Bidayat will help us unlock our full creative and commercial potential,” added Okhtein’s CEO, business partner, and Mounaz and Aya Abdel Raouf’s brother Mohamed Abdel Raouf.
Beyoncé wearing Okhtein. Instagram: @beyonce
Okhtein is well on its way to achieving this goal. Founded in a small workshop in 2014, the label has since come a long way with this investment, already making itself a name globally through its collections and celebrity following, including Beyoncé, Emma Watson, Cardi B, and Gigi Hadid. Bagging the DDFC/Vogue Fashion Prize in 2016, their contemporary handbags and accessories line fuses centuries-old Egyptian craftsmanship with timeless designs. In 2019, Mounaz and Aya Abdel Raouf were included in Forbes Middle East’s ’30 Under 30′ edition, a recognition of their impact on the region and beyond. Okhtein opened its flagship store in the contemporary district of Cairo in October 2020, and has a continued focus on new product development, expanding its retail presence globally, and enhancing its digital and e-commerce footprint.
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Photographed by Mous Lamrabat
Now more than ever, designers have been looking to the past for inspiration, in hopes of a more sustainable future. Egyptian sisters and designers behind Okhtein, Aya and Mounaz Abdelraouf are of the same mind, as they revisit previous collections for the spring/summer 2021 season.
Photographed by Mous Lamrabat
The all-too-familiar feeling of confinement, and longing to be outdoors experienced in 2020 motivated the Abdelraouf sisters to look to nature and outdoor living for this collection. Titled Re-connect, the SS21 collection sees the designers revisit their classic handbag styles, weaving in natural and sustainable elements with the aim of reconnecting with nature.
Photographed by Mous Lamrabat
“Working on this collection was truly an experience for us,” shared the designers with Vogue Arabia. “We very much enjoyed the curation process of each piece. By connecting with ourselves, we dated back to older collections and reworked them in a manner that was relatable to nature. This collection was created during isolation, the time when the world stood still, and we were able to properly self-reflect.”
Photo: Courtesy of Okhtein
Featuring earthy tones, organic structures, and irregular shapes, the handbags are adorned with handmade and sustainable details including Spanish and Indian raffia. However, the collection stays true to the sisters’ design signature with sharp gold accents that are unmistakably Okhtein. A standout piece is the Terra bag. Handcrafted by artisans in India, it will be available in three customized print designs inspired by microscopic images of the human body. The theme of the collection is also reflected in the new Okhtein logo which features metallic rods that although distanced, are still connected to each other.
Photographed by Mous Lamrabat
To drive home the feeling of escapism and focus on nature, the handbags were photographed outdoors in the campaign lensed by Moroccan photographer Mous Lamrabat. Amongst mountains, model Athiec Chol Malel is photographed in Byzantine-inspired gowns as the sisters pay homage to their Egyptian heritage, drawing references from the period of arts and culture.
Photographed by Mous Lamrabat
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