Nadine Mustafa One of Egypt’s oldest producers of handmade rugs, Kahhal Looms held the first event: ‘A Night of Weaving Eternity’, to ever take place inside the globally anticipated Grand Egyptian Museum. With great pride and appreciation for their familial and Egyptian heritage, Kahhal Looms’ co-founders, Mohamed El Kahhal and Hend El Kahhal, celebrated the opening of their new flagship store located inside the Grand Egyptian Museum showcasing their enthralling rug collection named ‘Weaving Eternity’, inspired by Ancient Egypt, to pay homage to its history.
With history stretching back to the last century, Kahhal Looms summoned its historical legacy and modern exquisite expertise to create ‘Weaving Eternity’’s unique Ancient Egyptian-inspired handmade rugs. The brand collaborated with three award-winning female interior designers Shewekar, Shosha Kamel, and JAM By Hedayat to create artisanal designs imbued with Ancient Egyptian depictions.
The event, managed by Flare PR, took place inside the mesmerizing Grand Egyptian Museum, which was in excellent accord with Kahhal Looms’ designs. Highlighting the essence of the brand, was international artist Moataz Nasr represented by Galleria Continua. Nasr is an Egyptian painter, sculptor, multidisciplinary artist, and self-proclaimed cultural activist, who created art installations that emulated Kahhal Looms’ factory experience. Guests walked into a colorfully threaded maze that transported them into the heart of the event to witness more spectacular installations. An exclusive guided tour took place all the way from the Grand Hall, where the grand statue of Ramesses II is located, to the Glass court hosting the cocktail. During the tour, attendees did not only relish the captivation of the museum’s artifacts and architecture, but also their presence as some of the first guests to walk down the museum’s majestic halls. Joining the spirit of enchantment was iconic harpist Salma Saber with her reverberating gentle melodies that teleported one back to Ancient Egyptian times. In the Glass court, a perfect blend of ancient and modernness was demonstrated in Flower Power’s setup of florals and selection of cotton stems, clay pots and papyrus in splendid harmony with Avec Karim’s curated gastronomic canapé experience with roots to Egypt’s ancestral heritage. With food based on ingredients transcribed on Ancient Egyptian temple walls, perpetual melodies, and breathtaking artwork, guests stood immersed in the projection wall visuals, curated by visual artist Hannah Patten, that showcased Kahhal Looms’ rich heritage and milestone.
Attendees were finally able to visit the long awaited Kahhal Looms new store and were met with a statement art rug installation named ‘Once Upon A Knot’, envisioned by experimental artists from The Cult. It is a masterpiece that theatrically displays Kahhal Looms’ transformational rug producing process from yarn to design with a beautiful pixel artwork that creates an ever-changing window display for passersby. The store is designed by the unparalleled architecture and interior design studio KH Studio, who designed a luxurious contemporary space that complemented Kahhal Looms’ rugs.
With the help of Sigma Contactors and Atelier 33, the store contained engaging whimsical elements with an intricate lighting design that accentuated the rugs.
In continuous efforts to collaborate with visionary artists, Kahhal Looms contently worked with French artist Louis Barthélemy, whose work constantly revisits the incredible heritage of Egypt. Barthélemy’s exclusive preview of his imagination of Tutankhamen’s mask captivated and left people excited for its upcoming launch within the flagship store.
