Sarah Guirguis It is not everyday that you come across a thriving business that has been around for 150 years. Having been passed down across five generations, Kahhal Looms is a leading producer of some of the finest handmade carpets in Egypt. With retail stores in Khan El Khalili, Zamalek, Mohandesin and recently in New Cairo, the legacy is about to grow even more. We talked to Hend and Mohamed El Kahhal, who are currently at the helm of this incredible business, to learn more about their success story.
You recently reached a very special milestone, the anniversary of 150 years of Kahhal Looms. How do you feel about it?
We definitely feel very proud of this milestone. It also happens to present a huge responsibility because it’s such a rich legacy to uphold and keep alive. It all started in 1870 with our great grandfather, Abdallah El Kahhal, who came from Syria. He was a merchant and his trade routes were established in Syria and Arabia, later reaching Egypt, Sudan, Libya and North Africa. Eventually, he settled in Cairo and set up ‘Wekalet El Kahhal’ in Khan El Khalili; that’s why we actually still have a store in that area.
Tell us about your transitional process from traditional design to a more modern aesthetic.
So with every new Kahhal generation came new ideas, factories, export lines and retail stores, expanding the business – until my brother and I joined the family business in 2000. We decided to take the modern route because we noticed that our main clients were talking to us about their younger generations getting married and starting new homes. They were requesting the same quality of a classic carpet but with modern designs and colors to fit in with their modern furniture. Sometimes, we even use old carpet designs and reinterpret them in modern colours. Then, if the classic design, for example, had fifteen colors, we would limit them to maximum three colors. We would also minimize the substantial details and patterns found on classic carpets, for a more minimalist, modern effect.
Where do you find inspiration for new abstract carpet designs?
We get inspiration by constantly being exposed to various cultures and abstract artwork, whether through online research, paintings, art exhibitions and international fairs. It actually helps us stay one step ahead of the market trends; we noticed that you can predict interior trends by keeping up with the latest modern art concepts, whether in terms of color combinations or new designs. They play a key role in setting the tone for the furniture market in the upcoming season. For example, if our clients import some of their furniture from Italy, you have to match it with a carpet that complements the same vibe, to add to the identity of the room and tie the pieces together.
‘Handmade in Egypt’ is like a badge of honor for any local brand. Is it challenging to find talented craftsmanship?
Yes, it is very challenging but we have an advantage for being in this field for so long; we get to work with the next generations within our craftsmen’s families, as they pass down their skills, secrets and techniques to every new generation. It’s interesting because handmade craft, in specific, has to be taught in order to live on. Once you find talented craftsmen, you stick to them since they are very scarce and hard to find. This goes for the people who make the carpets and for those who also dye the yarns, which is a rather tricky job that requires a lot of experience, as well.
If you had to choose, which would be your favorite rug collection?
My favorite is definitely the ‘Abstract Collection’, where all the colors are kind of blending in together instead of having a very straightforward design. I also really like the vivid colors and the fact that it fits very well with contemporary interior furniture.
Any upcoming plans for the brand?
We are mainly focused on retail expansion right now. We actually just launched a new store in Downtown Mall, New Cairo, and we’re also planning to expand further somewhere in 6th of October.
