Malaika Linens
Design and Product Development
Role: Design & Product Development Intern
Company: Malaika Linens Cairo
Project type: Homeware design and prototype development
Project Year: 2021
Tools: Adobe Creative Suite, screen-printing, embroidery, organization skills
Deliverables: Designs, mockups, prototypes, inventory for final mood-shot
Objective:
To design a Summer homeware collection inspired by the unique region of Aswan in Southern Egypt by collaborating with local artisans to celebrate Egyptian heritage and craftsmanship.
About:
Malaika Linens is an Egyptian homeware design brand deeply inspired by Egyptian heritage. Known for their iconic hand-embroidered Egyptian cotton bedding, they’ve since expanded their range to include other areas of homeware design. Collaborating closely with local artisans, Malaika celebrates and preserves traditional craftsmanship. The brand collaborates with local artisans and operates Threads of Hope, a nonprofit initiative employing Egyptian women and Palestinian refugees. Malaika’s intricate embroidery is beautifully crafted by these skilled women, whose artistry brings the brand’s designs to life, preserving traditional craftsmanship and empowering communities.
Problem Space:
The main challenge we faced was creating a collection that met high craftsmanship standards while effectively managing resources and staying within budget constraints.
Research:
During our research phase, we immersed ourselves in the rich traditions of Nubian culture and crafts, partnering with local artisans to bring our designs to life. We frequently invited artisans to the factory to show us their work and visited fairs and ateliers to carefully select the best collaborators for our vision.
Here are some photos of artisans visiting the factory, along with glimpses of our creative process.
Solution:
I was responsible for refining existing designs and creating new products from scratch, developing prototypes for all the items in the collection meeting timeframes and costs. This required me to work closely with the fabricators of each product and stay involved in every stage of production, from pattern making to screen printing, embroidery, ironing, and final quality control.
To streamline the search process, we implemented a more structured vetting system. By establishing clear criteria for selecting collaborators, and focusing on quality standards, craftsmanship techniques, and reliability, we created an efficient system for managing tasks and ensuring sufficient time for prototyping and meeting timelines.
However, once we organized and automated parts of the process, everything began to fall into place during the prototype phase, and the collection started to take shape. What I enjoyed most was the cross-departmental collaboration; as a designer, I oversaw the journey from an initial idea to a finalized design and, ultimately, to a beautifully finished product, ensuring each step was executed to perfection.
Key Achievements:
Designed and prototyped a Summer homeware collection inspired by Aswan’s cultural heritage.
Streamlined the collaboration process, improving efficiency and ensuring high-quality outcomes.
Contributed to Malaika Linens’ mission of preserving traditional craftsmanship and empowering artisans.
Improving my process:
Setting more realistic deadlines and achievable timelines would significantly reduce stress and allow more time to plan for changes and new collaborations in advance. Narrowing down the number of collaborators per collection earlier on would have helped streamline the process and maintain focus.
One thing I think we excelled at is teamwork, it was refreshing to work with people who were willing to go above and beyond to make things work and who truly believe in the value of their craft.
Goya Gallagher, Malaika Linens’ co-founder and my mentor, has since launched ANUT Cairo, a brand that celebrates Egypt’s rich cultural heritage through unique homewares crafted by artisans across the country. ANUT Cairo also collaborates with artists to create one-of-a-kind pieces, further bridging traditional craftsmanship and contemporary design.
ANUT Cairo is available on Goodee and Moda Operandi.