Page 15 - MARRIOTT BUZZ NO. 3 - 2015

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The Winged Scarab
A story of renaissance
and transformation born
centuries ago along the
banks of the Nile River
in Ancient Egyptian
times; a winged scarab
protecting its wearer
is encrusted with pave
diamonds, in rare
filigree, 18kt gold and
sterling silver.
Lotus Charm Earrings
A cascading pair
encapsulating the
spirit of Ancient
Egypt, celebrating the
Lotus flower;
the blossom of life
and creation, set in
pave diamonds,
18kt gold and sterling
silver.
The Lotus Cuff
An architectural
sculpture
encapsulating the
spirit of Ancient
Egypt, celebrating
the Lotus flower; the
blossom of life and
creation, set in pave
diamonds, 18kt gold
and sterling silver.
Coin Necklace
‘The heart adores all that
is beautiful’ the words
once sung by Umm
Kulthum that ignited
the inspiration behind
this charm pendant
reminiscent of antique
coins, set with x carat
pave diamonds all
around, 18kt gold and
sterling silver.
jewellery of Medieval Europe
at an Egyptian book fair. After
serving an apprenticeship with a
master craftsman in the Khan el
Khalili jewellery quarter, in 1970
the British Council awarded her
a fellowship to study the craft of
jewellery in London.
Having broadened her own
horizons, Azza returned to Cairo
and did the same for the Arab
world’s appreciation of jewellery.
She opened her first shop in
1981, followed by a design studio
and factory in 2002 and her
debut book one year later, ‘The
Enchanted Jewellery of Egypt’.
Azza Fahmy set her sights on
Europe, embarking on various
fashion, cultural and educational
partnerships. For London Fashion
Week she joined forces with Julien
Macdonald in 2006 for a two-year
collaboration featuring catwalk
and capsule retail collections,
followed by another partnership
with fashion design duo Justin
Thorton and Thea Bregazzi for
New York Fashion Week in 2010.
In 2012, she created a bespoke
collection for the British Museum’s
Exhibition ‘Hajj: Journey to the
Heart of Islam’ entailing historic
reflections inspired by Hajj
pilgrimage and sacraments.
Azza formed a ground-breaking
partnership with Alchimia,
Contemporary Design School in
Florence, in 2013 to establish ‘The
Design Studio by Azza Fahmy’. The
studio aims to educate student
designers who ultimately want
to become professional jewellers
by equipping them to compete
internationally. The studio is the
first establishment of its kind
in Egypt and the Middle East,
positioning Egypt on the map as
the region’s jewellery design hub.
Azza’s success and reputation
has continued to grow, but her
commitment to showcasing Egypt’s
heritage never wavers and today
she is a leading cultural ambassador
for the country and has staged
several hundred exhibitions.