Crammed with architectural landmarks that have stood for centuries, the narrow alleyways of Old Cairo are a portal to the earliest days of the Egyptian capital. The historic quarter has inspired countless artists and writers over the years, including Egyptian sisters Aya and Mounaz Abdelraouf.
“We felt like we were living at a different time. It was as if the world had stood still,” Aya Abdelraouf recalled of their visit, which was more than a decade ago.
Equally captivating was the craftsmanship the pair encountered there, where brass artisans have passed their skills down from one generation to the next, to create ornate lamps, jewelry and tableware.
It was the inspiration behind their luxury brand Okhtein — Arabic for two sisters — which blends Egypt’s craftsmanship and heritage into distinctive handbag design.
In some of their signature collections, the bag’s body is crafted from engraved or stripped brass, which is paired with other materials, like leather. “Brass is always the main element. That’s why our bags are like collectibles,” Mounaz Abdelraouf said.
