Beloved by celebrities, supermodels, and royals, needless to say, Okhtein has left an indelible mark since its launch 10-years-ago. Spotted by everyone from Queen Rania of Jordan, Gigi Hadid, and Beyonce, the Egyptian accessories label is one of the most sought-after homegrown luxury brands in fashion— and for good reason.
Founded in 2014 in Egypt by Cairo-born sisters Mounaz and Aya Abdelraouf, the luxury label has become a benchmark in its field, adorning the arms, wrists, and fingers of the industry’s most discerning clientele. An amalgamation of the sister duo’s respective visions, the award-winning brand positioned itself in a middle ground between toned-down minimalism and bold, artistic statement pieces, spanning handbags, eyewear, small leather goods, and fine jewelry. A decade on, the Cairo-based designers continue to redefine elegance with sensibilities from their homeland, proving that sartorial brilliance isn’t exclusive to its historical epicenters.
This month, Okhtein celebrated its 10-year anniversary by way of an exclusive getaway in Egypt’s North Coast. On home turf, the Abdelraouf sisters invited clients and brand ambassadors— including Yasmine Sabri, Haya Abdullah, Cedric Haddad and Joanna Arida — to discover the culture and beauty that defines the brand’s identity.
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To mark the occasion, MILLE caught up with Aya to celebrate a decade of success and pose 10 questions in honor of Okthein’s 10th anniversary.
What does this anniversary mean to you?
“It’s a milestone, seeing our baby grow. 10 years in, it’s exactly where we envisioned our brand to be.”
When launching the brand, did you expect to ever reach these levels of success and still be on the ground running after a decade?
“When we launched the brand, Mounaz and I had a clear vision and ambition for Okhtein to achieve significant success. It wasn’t just a project or a hobby; we aimed to create something much larger than ourselves, something enduring and timeless. We made a promise to give our all to ensure its success, even drafting lists of celebrities we hoped would wear Okhtein and envisioning where we wanted to sell. Our dream was always to go big or go home, and it’s incredibly rewarding to see how far we’ve come in realizing that vision.”
How do you stay inspired and creative, all while ensuring that Okhtein continues to stand out in the fashion industry?
“You know, there’s this quote by Steve Jobs that has always resonated with me and Mounaz since the early days of Okhtein: ‘If you’re working on something exciting that you really care about, you don’t have to be pushed; the vision pulls you.’ Looking back over the past decade, it’s clear that our vision continues to pull us forward. What inspires us and keeps us motivated is that larger vision we set out to achieve. While we’ve accomplished much of what we initially aimed for, it’s the bigger picture that drives us onward.
Creatively, Mounaz and I find it beneficial to step back from the day-to-day operations of the business. Taking time to travel, immersing ourselves in different cultures, music, and art—they all fuel our creativity. Our Arab heritage and our personal journeys also play a significant role in shaping our designs. Ultimately, staying true to ourselves and maintaining authenticity is key to standing out in the fashion industry. We believe that our unique voice sets Okhtein apart.”
Could you share some of your favorite moments since the brand’s inception?
“Every year, there have been countless favorite moments since Okhtein’s foundation. Opening our first store and receiving our first ever order brought immense joy. Creating our first prototypes in Italy stands out as a particularly fulfilling experience, witnessing our designs take shape through the skill of incredibly talented artisans. It’s been equally rewarding to see our brand embraced by celebrities who genuinely appreciate our products.
Another highlight was the transition from our humble beginnings on a rooftop extension to establishing our office in a villa, now filled with 30 to 40 dedicated employees. This move marked a significant milestone for us. Additionally, seeing our bags prominently displayed in prestigious stores like Harrods and Selfridges, alongside globally renowned brands, has been incredibly gratifying.”
What are some challenges and hurdles you did not expect to encounter when founding Okhtein? Looking back, is there anything you would have done differently in your journey?
“When Mounaz and I founded Okhtein, we knew to expect challenges—there was no illusion of an easy path. Back in 2014, we faced the reality that the support and fundamentals we needed to launch a brand weren’t there. We had to learn everything on our own, which was one of the biggest challenges when we first started.
Scaling the business, perfecting our products, and building and managing a team were ongoing challenges as well. Balancing personal and work life was and continues to be a continuous challenge. Unexpectedly, encountering non-supporters was also part of our journey—a reminder of life’s ups and downs. Despite this, we’ve been fortunate to have a strong community of Okhtein supporters rallying behind us.
Looking back, we wouldn’t change anything. We don’t believe in regrets; every decision we made has contributed to where we are today. Each challenge has been a lesson learned and an opportunity for growth.”
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How do you handle criticism and setbacks, both personally and as a brand? What are some key lessons you’ve learned over the past decade as entrepreneurs?
“Criticism, particularly on platforms like TikTok, is something we’ve faced. For every negative comment, there are usually many positive ones supporting and encouraging us to push the brand further. How do we handle it? We don’t take it personally. We listen to feedback, whether it’s about our pricing or other aspects, and we consider it with an open mind. When it comes to hateful comments, we take them lightly because they often reflect more about the person making them than about Okhtein.
Over the past decade as entrepreneurs, Mounaz and I have learned important lessons. We believe in resilience—when one door closes, another opens. Acceptance has been key; not every path unfolds as expected, but we’ve learned and grown through each experience. We’ve also learned not to trust too easily; there are people along the way who may not have our best interests at heart, and that’s a reality we’ve come to understand.”
How do you maintain a balance between your personal lives and the demands of running a successful fashion brand?
“Balancing personal life with the demands of running a successful fashion brand is a constant challenge. I won’t claim we’ve perfected this balance, but we’re actively working on setting boundaries. For instance, we try not to discuss work during family lunches or on weekends unless necessary. However, I can’t recall a time when I completely shut off work; even on my honeymoon, I found myself thinking about and receiving messages related to work.
To disconnect, I turn to yoga and meditation, practices that have helped me find moments of peace amidst our 24/7 work schedule over the past decade.”
With so much accomplished, what is next for you and the brand?
“We want to continue perfecting the accessories world. We want our consumers to dive into the Okhtein accessories world, but at the same time, we want for the future—though we can’t pinpoint a timeline—we want the Okhtein client to fully wear Okhtein, not just accessorize in Okhtein. We might eventually get into the direction of clothes, a prêt-à-porter line; it’s something we’ve spoken of but not planned yet.”
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What would you tell aspiring designers who want to start their own brand?
“We would say to the region’s fashion industry and aspiring entrepreneurs: be bold and fierce. Stay true to your unique vision and authenticity. We’re fortunate to be where we are today because we dared to be different and shared our personal vision with the world. We believe this authenticity is the key to success. Give it your all.”
What message would you like to send to your loyal customers and followers on this milestone anniversary?
“You are the heart of the brand. Thank you for being part of this journey, for your unwavering support and trust. We consider you part of the Okhtein family.”
