WHO WE SUPPORT: KILIIM
“We decided to join forces and create a brand that offered modernly designed kilims.”
What began as a husband and wife’s search for the perfect kilim for their daughter’s room turned into an initiative to revive the cultural heritage of one small Egyptian village. If we take a step back a few decades to Fowwa, we would see a very different place than we do today. Here along the Nile Delta, just a few hours from Cairo, was a hub for kilim rug weaving. The area contained thousands of workshops, which sadly faded away as demand for machine-made rugs increased and tourism in the area declined. Ibrahim and wife Noha saw this as an opportunity to create a brand that could appeal to the times while utilizing time-honored techniques. As such, Kiliim was born.
Today, Kiliim works with local craftsmen in Fowwa to produce high-quality carpets that sustain and revive the carpet making craft in Egypt. They utilize the highest quality Egyptian wool and Egyptian cotton in their handcrafted textiles, making carpets and pillows that are not only beautiful but will stand the test of time and become heirlooms. They support fair trade practices in their business, so artisans are valued for their work and supported in the workplace. And they are currently undertaking a project to create a carpet weaving school in Fowwa. In doing so, they aim to teach local youth the art of their ancestors in order to preserve the cultural history. Theirs is not only an inspirational story but one we are so happy to support.