Edgy, bold, and just effortlessly cool, Egyptian-Parisian jewelry brand CLUB BY FYR tells a very raw tale when it comes to the art of accessorizing. Drawing references from the unique natural beauty found within Egypt, the brand is for the travelers, the wanderers, and the ones who continue to keep the magic alive in everything they do.
The jewelry brand is the brainchild of 30-year-old multidisciplinary artist Farah Y. Radwan, who is she, you may ask? Radwan tells MILLE, “I would say that I am the خلطة (a mix) of all the younger versions of me: the bubbly spice girl, the raging emo screamo, the aquarian, collector of treasures, and finally, the hardworking multidisciplinary creative, with one foot planted in each of two iconic contrasting cultural melting-pots, Paris and Cairo.”
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Radwan accumulated her skilful expertise whilst studying Luxury Product Design in Paris, before returning to Cairo to specialize in body accessory and jewelry-making. She continued expanding her skill set by enrolling at The Design Studio, founded by renowned Egyptian jewelry designer Azza Fahmy, which is the first and only contemporary jewelry-making and jewelry design school not only in Egypt, but the Middle East.
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Following her studies, In 2017, CLUB BY FYR was established under Radwan’s vision to create jewelry that is both refined and distinct in its character: “CLUB was born from my love for craftsmanship and design. I combined everything that inspired me in one life project, sculptures, trinkets and heirlooms, clothes and styling, storytelling through photography, visuals and music.” says Radwan. From the designs themselves to the art direction of the brand, the jeweler has a clean eye for creating an extremely raw, honest, and soothing aesthetic.
She takes us through what inspires her, and stimulates a stream of creativity for the brand: “The main influence behind CLUB BY FYR’ jewelry is a blend between the Punk culture and my Egyptian heritage. I look up to so many creatives. First in jewelry, Azza Fahmy for building a true empire. Dante-inspired jewelry brand, Alighieri for their poetry and intricate craft. Spanish art director Carlotta Guerrero and Tunisian-French photographer and filmmaker Bilal Kadhi for their very distinct DNAs and hypnotizing work. The iconic Cher for being half Morticia Adams and half nymph. And British designer Vivienne Westwood because she believed that ‘the sexiest people are thinkers’… I can go on forever.” But above all else, she owes her creative vision to her motherland, “Egypt is my favorite canvas, it will always be in CLUB’s identity because it is part of mine.”
“This club is for the poet, the lover, the mother, sister and brother in all of us; it is for the young romantic and the earthly realist, the tenacious heart and the gentle spirit. Like an amulet, CLUB BY FYR is both an armor and an extended olive branch, protecting and connecting us through the culture and language of jewelry,” notes the designer.
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Creating pieces that are timeless in nature, the brand explores the concept of the modern heirloom, channeling Ancient Egypt’s rich heritage in jewelry-making, but making it ruggedly contemporary adhering to modern times and environment. “Ancient Egyptian identity is rooted in the pieces, from the visuals of our craftsmen in Khan el Khalili, the language in piece titles and descriptions, to the variety of Egyptian landscapes in our campaigns,” says Radwan.
The pieces are designed, drawn, and prototyped in Paris before they are handcrafted by Egyptian artisans in the heart of Cairo in Khan El Khalili, Egypt’s main jewelry quarter using 925 sterling silver made from pure 999 Swiss silver combined with premium Italian alloy, 18K gold, fine leather, and a handpicked rich selection of gemstones from around the world.
“I begin with back and forth sketching and prototyping with my craftsmen. I imagine and draw my pieces worn and stacked together. I draw families of ‘déclinaisons’ then proceed by elimination— until I have the stars of each collection. This process can take up to six months for a full collection. I start shooting at the prototype stage because to me, the pieces only come to life when they adorn the sensual, powerful personalities that surround and inspire me. That’s how I know which pieces have made the cut,” she explains.
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When it comes to CLUB’s edgy aesthetic the designer explains where the distinct imagery stems from: “From real-life people and real life scenes. Natural connections and expressions of love in the most raw and full-frontal form possible. We think of our visual campaigns as manifestos that allow us to entirely curate not only our designs, but how we want everyone to experience CLUB and its values of unity and fluidity.”
What’s more, the brand has a zero waste policy, meaning any discarded materials are re-imagined into new pieces of jewelry. Additionally, CLUB’s leather goods are all ethically sourced from local artisans, ensuring durability and quality. Radwan ensures that the leather she incorporates in her designs comes from local butchers that give their produce strictly to the less fortunate as a means of charity, meaning they do not sell their produce to anyone.
CLUB BY FYR has decorated and found its way into the world of music with special appearances in Manal’s performance of 3ari on A Colors Show, marking her as the first Arab to perform in her native tongue on the show. Lolo Zouaï has also been a loyal wearer of the brands jewelry, as they made an appearance in six of her music videos.
Whether it’s a bunch of stacked rings, a bold pair of hoop earrings, a chain necklace, or an alluring leather harness, there is no doubt that adorning your body in a CLUB BY FYR ornament will certainly elevate even the simplest of outfits. As Farah Radwan would put it, “CLUB BY FYR is trendy and bold but remains timeless, the type of heirloom you keep forever.”
