Kholkhal Accessories is my latest find in Egypt's world of accessories and jewelry design. Shahira Shehata has created a combo of colors and designs that suit the young and hip. The 23-year-old designer said she's had a passion for design since she was ten. “In the summertime I would work on Scoubidou bracelets and key chains and sell them on the beach to my friends and neighbors." A month ago, after years of practicing her hobby, Shehata decided to turn it into a business. “I used all the money from my first exhibition and bought materials for my next collection,” she explains. All her accessories are silver or gold plated. “I make special designs in silver upon request for those who prefer it,” she says. All are handmade, with materials mostly manufactured in Egypt. “Some of the beads used are imported from Turkey, but the prices are still very affordable. None of my designs exceed LE200 in price." The young designer's plan is to open her own outlet and sell the brand with the help of her mother. Shehata is devoted to her business: “I teach a sports class a couple of days a week and the rest of my time is all dedicated to my new project.” Her target market is young Egyptian women looking for designs that are outside the box. Her next exhibition, showcasing her new summer collection, will be on the north coast. “I am also considering making beach pouches for the ladies this summer," she says. What distinguishes Shehata's from other jewelry and accessories on the market is her creativity and affordable prices. She incorporates simple materials such as leather ribbon and cotton cords in designs that are simple yet new and chic. Lately Egypt has witnessed a wave of young designers who work from home and display their merchandise in one-day exhibitions and bazaars. This growing trend is widely acclaimed by young trendy women, who fancy the words "made in Egypt."
