Cairo-based jeweler Azza Fahmy is planning an upscaling and worldwide enlargement drive — together with an eventual push into the U.S. — following an funding from Bidayat, a subsidiary of the Alsara Funding Group based by Mayhoola for Investments chief govt officer Rachid Mohamed Rachid.
Offered in about 24 boutiques and shops-in-shop throughout the Center East and in London, Azza Fahmy plans to open two flagships within the first half of 2023, amid a brighter highlight on all issues Egyptian.
“We’re excited to have the ability to showcase our tradition,” stated Fatma Ghaly, CEO of the agency, which was based by her mom Azza Fahmy, a pioneer who broke into the male-dominated Egyptian jewellery sector within the late ’60s and introduced storytelling and cultural depth to her métier. She usually researched and collaborated with historians and lecturers for years earlier than finishing sure collections.
The Grand Egyptian Museum is slated to open in Giza in 2023, capping off centenary celebrations in 2022 for the invention of Tutankhamun’s tomb, and the hit “Hieroglyphs” exhibition operating on the British Museum till Feb. 19. Extra imminently, the pyramids of Giza might be within the style highlight on Dec. 3 when Kim Jones and Dior decamp to Egypt to parade the boys’s pre-fall assortment.
In a Zoom interview, Ghaly stated the female-led household agency has been approached by potential traders over time however they listened intently to Bidayat’s proposal given Rachid’s intensive expertise within the style and luxurious sectors and the digital, distribution and brand-building experience that comes together with its new enterprise accomplice.
As CEO of Mayhoola for Funding, Rachid has a fowl’s-eye view of its principal luxurious holdings, Valentino and Balmain, at which he holds the title of chairman, plus the Turkish retailer Beymen. An energetic investor in luxurious firms, Rachid is chairman and founding father of Bidayat and Alsara Worldwide Funding Group, whose holdings embrace the Okhtein, Adorisa, Akoni and KhrisJoy manufacturers. Earlier in his profession he served as Egypt’s minister of commerce, trade and funding, and an govt at Unilever.
Monetary phrases weren’t disclosed, however Ghaly described a capital enhance within the firm through the issuance of recent shares, giving Bidayat a big minority stake.
She declined to share income figures, however stated the agency counts about 300 workers. Azza Fahmy additionally operates a fast-growing modern jewellery design faculty in Cairo and a basis devoted to handicraft preservation and vocational coaching.
Retail costs on its e-store begin at about 210 euros for a sterling silver hoop earrings and run as much as 22,550 euros for its cabochon Snake necklace made with quite a lot of valuable stones.
LOUAY NASSER
In an interview, Rachid informed WWD the plan is to improve the model’s positioning and pricing so as to take part extra within the “booming” positive jewellery sector, which has a worldwide resonance.
He stated the plan is so as to add about 5 to 6 new areas a yr, focusing initially on the Center East and southern European international locations together with France, Italy, Spain, Greece and Turkey. He described “critical potential” to unlock in these areas earlier than it turns to America, the remainder of Europe and later, China.
Rachid described the founding designer as a “true artist” whose information of Egypt’s historical past, Islamic tradition and European influences brings depth to the corporate’s jewellery. Fahmy’s title is inventive director, whereas her different daughter Amina Ghali serves as head designer.
Nour El Refai
“Egypt has so much to supply by way of tradition, artwork and historical past. After we are speaking about creativity, these are parts which have quite a lot of affect,” Rachid stated.
He lauded the corporate’s design and manufacturing capabilities, which might be strengthened because the model is marched upscale, however the lion’s share of investments will go to retail growth, in addition to communications and advertising actions.
Bidayat, which has workplaces in Milan, has assembled a clutch of consultants in e-commerce, merchandising, provide chain and communications to assist the manufacturers it invests go international, Rachid famous.
In accordance with Bidayat’s web site, it invests anyplace from $500,000 to $10 million in early-stage and development firms throughout style, equipment, jewellery, magnificence and wellness.
Scarabs, feathers, stars and architectural motifs characteristic in Azza Fahmy jewellery, which ladies prize for the cultural references, that means and symbolism, in line with Ghaly.
Amongst well-known ladies to have worn Azza Fahmy jewellery are Julia Roberts, Rihanna, Amy Adams and Naomi Campbell, in line with the model.
Offered all through Egypt, in addition to in Dubai, Qatar and Jordan, Azza Fahmy jewellery opened a London boutique in 2018 and a five-month pop-up on the Waldorf Astoria in Beverly Hills, California, in 2019.
Ghaly famous that 30 % of its on-line gross sales are generated within the U.S.
