Egyptian luxury handbag label, Okhtein, makes its way to Paris Fashion Week for an exciting collaboration with French fashion house, Balmain.
On Wednesday September 28th, Okhtein and Balmain’s collaborative piece was unveiled at Balmain’s SS23 runwayshow, which was held at Stade Jean Bouin.
Okhtein’s co-creative directors and co-foundersAya andMounaz Abdel Raoufexquisitely designed a bold and stunning bustier in worn-out resin, inspired by the iconic Egyptian alabaster stone, emitting the inspiration behind Olivier Rousteing’s SS23 collection.
A collection inspired by the rebirth and rediscovery of the beauty of the Renaissance, highlighting how ancient masterpieces can be adapted to modern times.
Essentially, the rediscovery and celebration of the Renaissance’s beauty is demonstrated through details and silhouettes that channel the spirit, art, and sculpture of that golden age’s greatest thinkers.
The bustier is enriched with a bangle in Okhtein’s iconic brass material, and the ancient Egyptian postiche.
Aya and Mounaz intended to also incorporate the brand’s distinctive snake brass bangle, from their newest ‘Bangle Bag’ along with the postiche, emphasizing on the contrast of old and modern, to portray rebirth.
The merge of these elements depict the rebuilt of ancient master pieces into a wonderful relic, in resemblance to the inspiration of Olivier’s SS23 collection.
The cuts in the bustier indicate a worn-out appearance, and the resin in its natural color is a striking material that innately gives the look and feel of alabaster.
“This piece was the most challenging project for both of us, however we found it as an opportunity to push ourselves as designers and product developers.
We are grateful for our team and for the factories we work with, for bringing this piece to life”, the two sisters stated.
Okhtein’s Quote on the Collaboration:
“We are both thrilled and excited to be collaborating with Olivier Rousteing and Balmain for their SS23 collection.
Our first encounter with Olivier was back in 2019, when he was one of the judges at the Fashion Trust Arabia.
We look up to him on so many levels and truly love his genuineness and passion for what he does.
We are excited to be showing a little piece of our brand and its story.
Coming from Egypt, a country of rich heritage and history, the story combining both our vision and Olivier’s has been a truly wonderful experience.”
About Balmain:
More than 75 years ago, when Pierre Balmain first introduced his “New French Style,” it immediately became clear to all that his eponymous house was offering a distinctly fresh, bold, and feminine conception of haute couture, one which broke with many of the well- established conventions of the era. His audaciousness paid off.
Pierre Balmain became one of the handful of young French talents who ushered in the mid-century golden age of couture and helped to re-establish Paris as the world’s fashion capital.
Since 2011, Balmain Creative Director Olivier Rousteing has been inventively building upon Pierre Balmain’s extraordinary legacy, while always remaining true to his own determination to design clothes that reflect the way his inclusive, powerful, and global Balmain Army wishes to live today.
The result is a unique and instantly recognizable Balmain silhouette, style and attitude that highlights the singular craftsmanship of the house’s celebrated ateliers, while consistently referencing a rich Parisian heritage.
About Okhtein:
Okhtein, meaning “sisters” in Arabic, is a luxury handbag label founded by Aya and Mounaz, two Egyptian sisters.
The brand is built on the sisters’ passion for recreation and the storytelling of the art and history through one-of-a-kind handcrafted pieces.
Okhtein aims to redefine the modern Arab women, challenge global stereotypes, and celebrate the empowerment and heritage of Arab women.
Okhtein is about duality, family connections and how unity allows amazing opportunities to emerge.
Okhtein believes the best luxuries in life are those that can be shared.