Siwa Creations

To find this boutique in Zamalek, you need to follow an alley and climb up a flight of stairs in what appears to be a residential building. Inside, you will discover a taste of the Siwa Oasis—an isolated Egyptian settlement known for its unique culture and beauty—through the crafts made by its community. There are lovely cotton blouses with embroidery, caftans and textiles, as well as stone crafts from various artists. Each gift tells a story.

What makes these creations particularly special is that they are made through the Siwa Women’s Artisanship Development Program, founded in the late 90s when Laila Neamatalla (Nakhala Jewels) started working with women of the Siwa Oasis community as part of a sustainable development initiative started by her brother, Dr. Mounir Neamatalla. The program aims to revive the art of Siwan embroidery, as well as to help Siwan women escape poverty and acquire independence.