The Scarab Collection marks another chapter in the designer’s long dedication to reviving Egyptian heritage through contemporary craftsmanship.
Drawing on more than 25 years of research into one of Ancient Egypt’s most powerful symbols, the collection reimagines the scarab as an emblem of rebirth, creation, and protection.
Throughout Egyptian history, the scarab has been a protective amulet and a marker of transformation. Fahmy’s new work revisits these meanings with subtle elegance, presenting pieces that echo the creature’s wings and spiritual significance while embracing a distinctly modern aesthetic.
The design also highlights the philosophy that has driven Fahmy’s career for more than half a century. Her earliest designs in the 1970s broke sharply from convention, shifting away from the typical bracelets and rings worn by Egyptian women at the time. Instead, she introduced pieces inspired by Nubian architecture and Arabic calligraphy, signalling a bold creative turn in a sector dominated by repetition.
Fahmy’s journey began in the workshops of Cairo’s Khan El Khalili, where she worked as an apprentice in an environment overwhelmingly dominated by men.
There, she learned the fundamentals of a craft rooted in centuries of tradition. Shortly afterwards, she established her own workshop with only a few assistants, aiming not merely to produce jewellery but to tell stories of identity, memory, and culture.
Today, her name is recognised worldwide, associated with jewellery that balances innovation with a deep respect for heritage.
Central to her practice is the continuation of Egypt’s traditional hierarchy of craftsmen, a system dating back to the Ottoman era.
In her workshop, artisans are classified by experience: the osta, or master; the snaiei, or skilled worker; and the sabi, the young apprentice.
This structure ensures that expertise gained over decades is preserved and transmitted, safeguarding a craft that has helped define Egypt’s artistic identity for generations.
Short link: