Jewellery-making is one of the country's oldest industries and art forms. Walking through Egypt's various museums, it is easy to notice that the country has a rich history of jewellery heritage. From ancient Egyptians to modern contemporary jewellery, local craft makers have always had a keen eye for details and a skilled hand for innovation. Additionally, the local market is no amateur when it comes to appreciating and evaluating precious works of art. Egypt's leading jewellery-making school, the Design Studio by Azza Fahmy (DSAF), celebrated its new patch of students through a special night that focused on the country's heritage and its artistic future, under the name of "Walk the Line". The annual event is an end-of-semester exhibition that is regularly held to present the work of the school's students, and help them break into the country's creative industry. The exhibition showcased the work of many up and coming talents that have just completed their education at the studio. This year they also decided to host a few well-known icons of the local industry. From founder Azza Fahmy to designer Samy Amin, the event showcased a wide spectrum of pure talent and experience. It also gave the students a chance to meet and greet several inspirational figures. Fahmy, Amin, Khaled El Samman, Reem Jano, and Amira Ayad shared their experience with jewellery, including their very first collection, as well as their upcoming one. With that said, Doris Maninger of Alchimia School in Florence was also part of the panel that shared valuable insights on the current status of contemporary jewellery. While Fahmy is one of the country's most prominent names in the jewellery-market with a journey of over 45 years, Amin is a distinctive artist that delves into Egyptian heritage for mystical and authentic inspiration. On the other hand, Jano had joined local fashion and jewellery designers at London Fashion Week in February, in its satellite event called the International Fashion Showcase. According to the experts, originality is the most important factor in the field, since it is the main drive behind genuine innovation. Experimenting with traditional concepts and techniques while working with up-to-date technology is an absolute must. Furthermore, the continuous attempts of creating new personal interpretations of jewellery is what gives a meaning to the craft. Meanwhile, the students were also given the chance to share their own stories and personal take on contemporary art. Each of the 12 students showcased an independent collection, and they were all present to explain their inspiration and themes. The students included Hind Al Hafez, Yasmin El-Wakil, Marwa Ramadan, Yasmin Kourah, Reham Selim, Mariam El-Taher, Reham Sabri, Ayah Al-Dossary, Dina Soliman, Zeinab Salem, Adam Yousry, Sarah Zaki, and Amira Ayad. "Walk the Line" was held at the ArtsMart gallery, where many jewellery enthusiasts and art appreciators joined the industry's leaders for a night full of history and a promising future.
