The Duo Behind Okhtein Share Their Little Black Book Of Cairo
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Cairo is a beautiful mess. It’s a city full of layers – each of which contributes to its unique character. The warmth and kindness of its people are unmatched. There’s also a sense of nostalgia that fills the city, making it feel authentic and alive. This vibrant energy fuels our creativity and passion at Okhtein, reminding us of the rich heritage we draw from in our designs.
The best shopping destination for small, independent brands in Cairo is Be-indie – a denim brand that’s based in Egypt. It does really nice cuts and washes, and there’s an incredible selection of knitwear too.
Our most recent brand discovery is Saudi jewelry brand APOA. We love the designs and have our eyes on the DAG earrings in black.
The most unexpected destination for great fashion is Arkan. It’s an open mall in the Sheikh Zayed area of Cairo with many boutiques and regional brands. It’s cool because it’s a complex that has a bit of everything – good food, interesting shopping and a mix of regional designers.
APOA | Ohktein
@AyaYoko_ | @ItsMounaz
We love taking inspiration from Egypt. We’re often inspired by the many tourist destinations across the country. Within Egypt, there are so many subcultures and rich histories in different cities. The oceans, rivers, sands and the deep history in each of these places move us. Each location fuels our creativity, helping us to infuse our designs with the essence of Egypt’s heritage. The vintage souqs of old Cairo, and being close to the Nile whether in Aswan or Cairo is where we find inspiration too. The Red Sea was a muse for our summer collection – especially Siwa.
The best vintage store for bags in Cairo is members-only club called Enrobe. It has a really cool selection of vintage finds and a great resale market. It hasn’t officially launched yet but it will be launching properly soon – for now it’s a private WhatsApp group. Anything vintage in our own wardrobes came from our parents or grandparents. A favourite piece would be a silk lime green Versace shirt and a black and gold Versace belt. I wear the belt with black suit trousers and a basic white top.
A perfect day in Cairo is usually spent outdoors with family or friends, for dinner or lunch. We usually find cool spots that have a stunning view of Cairo or the pyramids, like lunch at Khufu’s Restaurant and dessert at Moko’s.
The best place for coffee is Brown Nose Coffee Roasters. I get the iced matcha with coconut milk. We love the overall vibe and the food too. It’s a great place for a pick-me-up – the banana bread is a favourite.
The best restaurant in our city is Pier 88, in Zamalek. We often go for Friday Lunch. It overlooks the Nile and has amazing food and music. My favourite dish there is the veal Milanese and the Giovanni pasta.
PEXELS/OMAR ELSHARAWY
Our new favourite social spot in Cairo is Em Sherif. It’s a great hangout place that serves spectacular Lebanese food. Perfect for socialising with friends over a great meal. Sachi has a great vibe as well. The food is always perfect and the sushi is amazing. It’s cool because it’s always consistent.
The best hotel in Cairo has to be the Four Seasons in Nile Plaza. It's such a great location, overlooking the Nile, and is super luxurious.
If we could only shop in one store in Cairo, it would be Okhtein. We’re biased, of course, but we love the space because the interior reflects our journey. Growing up in Cairo deeply influenced our design aesthetic and commitment to local craft. Over the years, we’ve expanded our product range and established a strong presence both locally and internationally. Our brand embodies an Arab luxury dream, merging traditional craftsmanship with modern design to create pieces that tell a story, and everything is made in Italy. We have several stores in Cairo, and we are opening our own store in Citywalk, Dubai in November and soon in Kingdom Mall Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. We also sell on Ounass.
We just released our fine jewellery collection a year ago, and it’s been incredibly successful. We’ve focused on playing with our identity and incorporating precious stones, which has really resonated with our customers. Each piece is unique and carries a narrative, making it special. I’d say our collection has something for everyone, from statement pieces to more delicate designs. Next, we’re excited to release our gold capsule collection, celebrating ten years of Okhtein. It’s a metallic collection that releases this month and everything in it would be perfect for the holidays.
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