A collaboration between Patterns of Cairo and the German International University, this project brought together students from the 4th-semester Fashion and Jewelry Design courses to explore and reinterpret patterns documented from Cairo’s historic architecture. Through research, experimentation, and storytelling, students transformed these historical motifs into contemporary narratives and innovative fashion and jewelry designs. Using a variety of textile manipulation techniques, including laser cutting, lino printing, cyanotype, and more, as well as the lost-wax casting technique for the jewelry pieces, students conducted a 2D analysis of their chosen patterns and translated them into 3D compositions and forms. Through this process, they investigated new ways of translating cultural heritage into wearable designs.

Associate Lecturer: Marie Akoury

Instructor: Maria José Nicholls

Teaching Assistants: Mayar AbdelKader, and Carla Rossi

25 June 2026 | 4:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Location: Al-Khalifa Community Centre

The Patterns of Cairo Project is implemented by Megawra, and initiated by the Embassy of the Netherlands in Egypt as part of its commitment to the digitisation and democratisation of knowledge.

Discover more on: www.patternsofcairo.com