Azza Fahmy is Egypt’s most famous jeweler.
Making jewelry from precious metals is one of the oldest industries in Egypt, dating back to the times of the pharaohs. The jewelry industry is developed and rapidly growing in the country even today. Hundreds of jewelry stores offer customers a variety of gold and silver jewelry.
However, if you are interested in the most colorful and unique jewelry, you will certainly hear the name Azza Fahmy.
This woman opened a jewelry store in the Egyptian capital back in 1969. Since then, she has constantly improved her skills and has become a famous jewelry designer not only in her country, but throughout the world.
Fahmy graduated from the London Polytechnic Institute in the mid-70s, but, according to her, she received her main education in the Cairo markets, learning the craft from local jewelers for two years.
Fahmy draws inspiration for his works from folklore, examples from the pharaonic period, as well as from Ottoman traditions. Her jewelry is mostly large and heavy, sometimes openwork, richly decorated with precious stones. Among them are unique sculptural rings, long necklaces, cuff bracelets, and earrings with bold shapes.
Fahmy’s work can be seen at fashion shows in London and New York. Azza Fahmy works with fashion brands such as Julien McDonald, Preen and Matthew Williamson, always finding a common language and mutual understanding with them in combining jewelry with the texture of fabrics and forms of clothing. Her products are popular among movie and show business stars who value refined craftsmanship and oriental exoticism. Among her clients are the notorious Barbadian singer Rihanna and the English soul singer, poet and actress Joss Stone.
According to Fahmy, her goal is not only to create new jewelry, but also to raise a new generation of jewelry designers in Egypt. The Azza Fahmy Design Studio operates in Cairo, where those interested can take a course in jeweler’s skills.
The craftswoman’s daughter, Amina Gali, also takes part in work on her mother’s projects.
