Rebel Cairo by Dara Hassanein

Scarves are a staple item in most women’s wardrobes. From warmth to modesty to fashion, there is a unique quality that lives in a beautiful scarf. If it is possible for a piece of fabric to tell a story, a scarf is an accessory that can speak a thousand words. Founded in 2018, Rebel came to life with bold shapes, distinctive prints and captivating colors. We were fortunate to speak with the brand’s founder and illustrator, Dara Hassanein, to ask her about her companies background, her creative influences and upcoming projects.

Tell us a little bit about your background and what led you to the creation of Rebel Cairo. 

I’m a graphic designer specifically interested in illustration. My love for scarves grew as I watched my grandmother wear the prettiest vintage silk scarves since I was young as well as my mother, who would always go to the scarves rack directly in any shop she entered. The creation of Rebel came unexpectedly. In my personal life then, I spent most of my time every day juggling between university, training as a synchronized swimmer and a part-time job. I had a few un-used illustrations from previous projects that I wanted to print as scarves for my personal use. As the idea developed by time, several other people saw the potential that this concept had and that gave me the courage to share it on a larger place with people. 

Are you self taught or did you study fashion design?

I didn’t study fashion design. I studied Applied Arts and Sciences and majored in graphic design with a very brief background on product design. 

Is there a theme or message in your clothing?

There is a general narrative tied to our pieces: most of them tell a story through the voice of “Rebel”, the main character of the brand. The decision to share our work with people in the form of a story instantly creates a connection between the piece and the wearer. It represents something bigger to them because of the story behind it. 

What’s your motto as a creative?

Create things with meaning, do your research, pay attention to details, have patience and work with passion. 

How did you come up with the name Rebel Cairo? 

It started with wanting to pick a name for the character and “Rebel” reflected the character’s essence when it was all still a concept in my head. It stuck with me. In my opinion, it was also very relatable; each one of us has or still is rebelling against something around them or for something they want to see happen. 

What are you currently working on? 

We have a lot of really fun collaborations coming up with brands in different areas of design. We’re very very excited to see them come to life and share them with everyone.

What do you want readers to know about your brand? 

We actually do it the other way around. We share what we want people to know through our work and wait to see what interests them about a collection as they see it unfold. We also keep a level of transparency throughout our content. We often share our inspirations, stories about our process, the time it took to finish a particular print or even a background on the models who present the pieces. 

How do influences from Egypt and the MENA region find their way into your work?

I believe it happens subconsciously. Of course, there are obvious, intentional influences like having the Nuba and Marrakech scarves in our latest collection. Most of the time, I create something and then realize that it was influenced by something I’ve seen before whether on Instagram or the street. It’s also a result of work I see and follow daily, (many of which is by designers from Egypt and the MENA region). In the near future, you’ll be seeing more influences but we’re not sharing just yet.

Rapid Fire Questions

What perfume are you currently wearing? 

Gucci Guilty

Who is your favorite designer of all time? 

India Mahdavi for her bold use of color, Iris Van Herpen for her creativity and craft, and Mara Hoffman for her approach to materials and sustainability. 

Favorite piece of clothing you own? 

A scarf (of course) and a good pair of jeans.  

Song you are currently listening to on repeat? 

Anything by the Black Pumas and Leon Bridges.

What are you binge-watching? 

 Just finished watching Next in Fashion on Netflix and I loved it.