Azza Fahmy Jewellery, the Egyptian luxury house, would of course be celebrating the 100th anniversary of Howard Carter discovering the tomb of Tutankhamun. From its Cairo headquarters, the 50 year old jewellery house is one of the best placed to create pharaonic jewels and has done so in the past. Such is its reputation for authenticity that the firm has collaborated with institutions such as the British Museum in creating high quality, historically accurate jewels for Egyptian-related exhibitions.
Head Designer Amina Ghali, daughter of the founder Azza Fahmy, fuses historical references with an Art Deco air for jewels buzzing with a young energy. ‘I took an Art Deco angle which features geometrical, abstract and repetitive motifs such as the Ankh (key of life), Eye of Horus, Lotus flower and the scarab. I wanted to shed new light on the Pharaonic era in a fresh modern way that will also appeal to younger consumers.’ The discovery in Valley of the Kings influenced Art Deco design from architecture to fashion and of course jewellery as the wave of Egyptomania swept the world.
It is not just ancient motifs that find new life in this collection but also jewellery-making skills. The firm employs 100 craftsmen in their workshop on the outskirts of Cairo who nurture and perfect jewellery-making skills that are thousands of years old such as filigree work or hand piercing.
Mix and match stud earrings or a chained pair, stacking rings and Roman chain bracelets make this a collection that is easy to wear and very much about creating your own look. The collection is crafted in Azza Fahmy’s well-known combination of silver and gold with gemstone highlights.
