Riham Zaghloul lights up whenever someone asks her about her passion for design. Talking about her jewellery design brand, which is based on art, quality, and authenticity. The brand is about intriguing designs, high standards of craftsmanship, comfort, elegance, and responsibility towards our surroundings. Starting this year, each ZAGH collection has a unique story behind it inspired by nature, womanhood, architecture and ends blending with technology; Rihamā€™s background.Ā 

We are approaching the holiday season. Can you tell us about your winter collection, and why you think the designs reflect this time of year?

This winter ZAGH introduced the NimbusĀ© and OrbĀ© collections, one inspired by a halo of light and the other by the solar system, respectively. Although these collections were released in winter, the inspirations behind them are timeless and can be worn all year round, like many of ZAGHā€™s designs.

What does this festive time mean to you personally and as a designer?

A festive season for me is a time where I relax and enjoy time with the people I love, it is a time to contemplate and reflect on the times where we were too busy to analyse and understand. As a designer, it is a time to ā€˜rechargeā€™ on inspirations; an opportunity to refuel energy to balance the times when the pressure of our daily lives can be draining.

How are significant moments in your life such as these connected to your inspiration and designs?Ā 

Most of the inspirations behind my pieces are connected to the profound life-moments of my life, and they are many. The CurvesĀ© collection was inspired by the birth of my first child. Using the symbol of the embryo as the main motif, it is a reflection of my personal journey with motherhood and my commentary on issues of female identity in our region.Ā  The GeoclassicĀ© collection was inspired by my change of path to pursue ZAGH; an enlightening snapshot in time, where a bold realization is made arising from a deep need to pursue a life-long passion of art. Using a classic pattern and presenting it in a new context and with new meaning is what ZAGH represents to me.

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Is all of that connected to why you choose to stay in Egypt, even though the production of your work is done in Europe?Ā 

I am Egyptian and ZAGH is an Egyptian company, for me the natural thing is to be in Egypt. Although my designs are inspired to a great extent by my surroundings, they demand very specialized know-how to bring them to life.Ā  That pushes me to pursue talent and know-how wherever it may be and I refuse to be confined to a geographic location. ZAGH will remain an Egyptian brand regardless of whom I choose to be part of our team, this is a model that has proven to be successful in many industries.Ā  It happened to be that this know-how is currently in Italy and Germany, but my long-term dream is to bring this know-how home.

Why is jewellery so significant to you? Why was it your destination for creativity?

Jewellery is one of the oldest forms of body adornment.Ā  In my opinion, jewellery is the one thing that is a real expression of onesā€™ personal taste; of oneā€™s values as well as being a status symbol. It is the one accessory that reflects the real personality; marital status, trendy, classic, religious affiliations, etc.

With a background in technology on the one hand, and a life-long passion and emersion in art on the other, I blended both together and used metal and stones to express my emotions through the one thing I believe that tells the most about a womanā€™s taste.

What can we expect to see in your upcoming collections?

I am a lover of natural resources, and I have a passion of mixing material. As a lover of the ā€˜realā€™ thing it is very tough for me, for I am in a constant search for new material that is 100% natural and work well with precious metal. Currently I am working on several pieces that combine some rare stones and material with precious metals.