OKHTEIN X SELECT
I was choosing between wearing a blue velvet sweater or long turtleneck dress.
Okhtein, a cairo based luxury bags and accessories brand, collaborated with House of Select, a local jewellery label, to create OKHTEIN X SELECT. A limited edition jewellry line.
In co-operation with Maison Pyramide, the launch event was held last Tuesday at the Pop Up Shop. To be perfectly honest with you, as a writer and blogger, this was one of the very first events I attended after having set up this site and launched our Instagram page as Radical. I picked the velvet sweater, of course. Adding an Amethyst stone necklace, for good luck. Meeting up with a friend of mine after work - thank you for taking me Farida – I caught a ride to the other side of town to the Pop up Shop at Downtown Mall Kattameya.
Just before getting out of the car, I checked the Radical page. Aya Abdelraouf, one half of the OKHTEIN sisters’ duo “… started following you.” Definately a positive omen going in. Influence is a strange strange thing; she is a young woman who’s work and entrepreneurial skills, along with her sister Mounaz, I respect greatly.
The event had the vibe of an upscale, in-store, conceptual version of a city Supper Club. The OKHTEIN mini shop posted up on the bottom floor, takes up one white brick and mortar wall, and is currently stocked with sleek black leather backpacks, fanny packs and clutches that are reminiscent of a Givenchy Antigona meets Céline love child. All part of their latest black color series launch including the staple Palmette backpack, as well as my personal favorite, the “Dome Belt Bag”.
The Pop Up Shop was overflowing with Christmas spirit and good vibes; a huge tree in the center adorned with ornaments and sparkling tinsel, string lights and bells all around acted as a festive centerpiece to the event.
I love this store – but more on this in another post.
Maria, co-founder at Maison Pyramide a fashion strategy house.
Modish and classy, the crowd was all dressed in cozy winter wear, with a couple of fabulous coats standing out, one of which Mounaz was wearing; featuring a radical fur collar that pulled her rock and roll Hepburn in the 21st Century, look together.
A preview of the limited edition OKHTEIN X SELECT line.
The House of Select collaboration was inspired by the sisters’ experiences as 90’s kids, enthralled with fashion, and experimenting with accessorizing.
We all know the rise of the chocker is not subsiding anytime soon, and so, in my opinion, the staple piece of this collection is a triple wrap around black leather choker with gold appliqué. A sun and moon, or any galactic element for that matter, makes any piece of jewelry a win in my book.
This collection is quite literally star studded.
Radwa El Ziki, founder of Zedified, a fashion and lifestyle blog.
Fashion bloggers, influencers, and social media mavens were all present and representing a variety of local brands. Maria of Maison Pyramide as well as Radwa El Ziki of Zedified, are both photographed above among a backdrop of art pieces curated by Part With Your Art.
Funk Off, a rock and blues based band, kicked off the celebrations playing their funky music among beautiful pieces of fashion and artwork. With that the night came together seamlessly, allowing for a scene of buzzing networking and social splendor.
Left to right: Mounaz Abdelraouf co-founder of OKHTEIN, Radwa El Ziki of Zedified, Aya Abdelraouf co-founder of OKHTEIN.
Overall, the event left me optimistic about the fashion scene in Cairo. Having witnessed the level of refinement, taste and enthusiasm in the air. As well as a radical collaboration, between two artistic entities in our blooming city.
Get your hands on a piece from this collection in stores or online. Click the links throughout the article to redirect you.
Happy shopping!
“The joy of dressing is an art.”
