Amongst this group are sisters Hana and Heba Elawadi who have quietly built up their respective design businesses in just a few seasons. The London born, half Egyptian/half Moroccan, siblings have spent most of their lives growing up between Egypt and England, and those multi-cultural experiences inevitably inform their work. The sisters have also gained international attention for the clients they have attracted over the years; which have included some of Hollywood’s most well known stars.

Dia Diwan gives our readers a sneak peak into their world and design philosophy:

Hana Elawadi:
Becoming an accomplished jewelry designer was never part of Hana’s grand plan; especially while at school in London studying international business. But her obsession began from a young age when she would take apart cheap trinkets and accessories and refashion them into pieces for herself. It never occurred to her that this particular talent could translate into a thriving business.

Yet Hana’s “reconstructed” bracelets and necklaces soon attracted the attention of friends and acquaintances. It was at that point that she realized that there was a gap in the market for contemporary and casual jewelry pieces that still displayed the same level of hand craftsmanship and fine materials found in traditional Egyptian jewelry. Hana’s pieces may appear deceptively simple at first, until one realizes that they are composed of strips of the highest quality leathers, suede and satins sourced from all over the world. While the tiny amulets and charms that adorn them, have been handcrafted from 18K gold and sprinkled with precious and semiprecious stones.

www.hanaelawadi.com

Heba Elawadi:
Heba’s entry into the fashion world began early, thanks in part to her exposure to family owned factories specializing in children's wear. Having those resources close at hand gave her the opportunity to experiment with design ideas at a young age. 

Later on, while studying fashion design in London, her unique sense of style would attract the attention of individuals in the business. So much so, that barely after graduating she was already in demand as a stylist for music videos and movies. 

In 2008 she established her own label “Hebz,” with feminine, body conscious pieces. But as a woman designing for women, what seems to set her pieces apart is that comfort is very much at the forefront of her mind when designing her line. The clothes tend to flow on the body instead of cling, in luxe fabrics such as chiffons, silks and high-quality Egyptian cotton. Most of the collection is produced and finished at her factories in Egypt, except for her popular swimwear line, which is produced and finished in Brazil.

The name Heba Elawadi is familiar to a younger generation of Egyptian society. This young designer can be found brushing shoulders with the likes of Paris Hilton, Naomi Campbell and Quincy Jones amongst others.

Her jewelry has been worn by the likes of Lindsey Lohan and Mary-Kate Olsen, with profits from sales going to the Hebz Foundation, which funds projects that provide healthcare and education for underprivileged children.

http://www.hebz.com/


Image Captions for Hana Elawadi; Clockwise:
The designer Hana Elawadi with pieces from he signature collection of bracelets that combine the finest leathers with hand crafted pendants and amulets; Elawadi with her husband Hisham El Nazer; Mary-Kate Olsen wearing one of Hana’s bracelets.
Image Captions for Heba Elawadi; Clockwise:
Heba and Robert De Niro at Quincy Jones’ Birthday celebration held at the “35” Lounge in Cairo, March 2009; With Quincy Jones attending the Magic Ball at the Copacabana Palace in Rio in 2008; Seated next to model Naomi Campbell on Jones’ private jet; With Rap Mogul Russell Simmons at the presentation of her swimwear line in September 2008; Pieces from Heba Elawadi’s spring collection.