Egyptian Sister Design Duo Top Forbes Middle East’s 30 Under 30 List
Fine jewellery designer Ralph Masri and Emirati-Yemeni signer Balqees also made this year’s list
Forbes Middle East has revealed its annual 30 Under 30 list, and, this year, two Egyptian fashion designers topped the list. Aya and Mounaz Abdelraouf, the sibling design duo behind luxury accessory label Okhtein, are the latest influential Arabs to not only make the prestigious list, but also front the cover of the highly-anticipated March issue.
“Our March edition features the Middle East’s 30 Under 30 – a collection of the youngest and brightest minds in the region for 2019. We take an in-depth look at how two Egyptian sisters, Aya and Mounaz Abdel Raouf, transformed a homegrown fashion label into a #global #icon,” the publication share on Instagram.
The sisters also shared the cover, writing, “Thank you to everyone who helped us make it, we’re just getting started! #blessed.”
The cover shoot was lensed by fellow Egyptian creative, photography Aisha Al Shabrawy.
Launching in 2013, Okhtein (which very aptly is the Arabic word for ‘sisters’) is a brand steeped in rich cultural history. Aya and Mounaz seek inspiration from Cairo’s architecture and Egyptian artisanship. Their bags and belts have been coveted by some of the world’s biggest A-listers, including Beyonce, Winnie Harlow, Camila Coelho and BAZAAR cover star Queen Rania.
Fine jewellery designer Ralph Masri made second place. “Thank you for the incredible honor @ForbesMiddleEast (and for reminding me of the looming existential crisis when my twenties officially end in four weeks),” he writes on social media.
The Lebanese designer is a favourite of royals around the world, and is known for having his pieces worn by Queen Rania and Meghan Markle.
Emirati-Yemeni signer Balqees also rings in at number 11.
Press play to see Beyonce wearing Egyptian label Okhtein