Egypt & the Fashion Industry

For many, the mention of Egypt usually conjures up romantic images of camels and golden sand, weather-worn pyramids and Pharaohs, ancient mummies and hieroglyphics.

Few people around the world associate Egypt with a vibrant textile industry; nevertheless, Egypt is one of the world’s major players.

The Egyptian textile industry dates back as far as the pharaohs and, today, accounts for 25% of the total Egyptian industry and 30% of the nation’s jobs.

Second largest industry in the country, the apparel industry produces over 300 million garments a year and more than 300,000 tons of cloth.

If you have ever bought nice bed sheets, then you have probably heard of Egyptian cotton. The phrase alone, 100% Egyptian cotton, can be equated with a solid guarantee of high quality.

What makes Egypt competitive? Until now labor, raw materials, and input costs have been relatively low. Egypt had also signed numerous free trade agreements with the US, the EU, and some Arab countries. Moreover, the government offered assorted incentives.

Nevertheless, the textile industry is not without problems, which have recently been exasperated by the current unrest with curfews and shipping delays.

Although this turmoil will pass, no one knows how the Egyptian textile industry will be defined.
My guess, it may require some time to rebuild, but the industry will continue to churn out those luxurious sheets...and more!

Textiles and finely woven cotton are the mainstays of the Egyptian economy.

Photo Courtesy Scott Chan.

Uomo Moda & the Unrest in Egypt: Day 12

Over the past twelve days of unrest, I have been very preoccupied with the critical situation in Egypt.

As you know, I am managing editor of Uomo Moda—the first and only all-menswear magazine in Egypt—what I consider “my baby.” Nevertheless, more precious than my baby are my collaborators in the country.

After several days of silence from the onset, I made several calls in vain to my colleagues. Emails were returned too.

Finally I reached them and learned that all my colleagues are fine. Despite regulary calls to them, I wish that I could be there with them.

Egypt has been a pillar of stability in the region, and I am confident that it will maintain that position in the future. Unknown to many, it also plays a significant role in the textile industry (see article).

Well, I don’t know when we will succeed in publishing the next issue of Uomo Moda, possibly this summer. In the meanwhile, however, I express my solidarity with the Egyptian people and my hope for a peaceful, democratic Egypt!

As they say in Arabic, “Insh Allah!”

Photo Copyright Men’s Fashion by Francesco.

Egypt's 1st Menswear Magazine: Uomo Moda by Cougar

As I mentioned in a previous article on Turkish Fashion, I am the contributing editor of an Egyptian menswear magazine named Uomo Moda, which is based out of Cairo.

Well, Uomo Moda is the brainchild of the Cougar Group, which was founded in 1994 by Mostafa Makhlouf, who franchises 40 Italian brands—hence, the Italian name Uomo Moda.

Uomo Moda is the first and only menswear magazine in Egypt and, therefore, it is a great privilege for me to contribute articles on a regular basis!

I have been so honored by the invitation to write for Uomo Moda that, last week, I have begun taking Arabic lessons—a desire that I have had for nearly 30 years!

Assalaam alaykum, Mostafa! So, tell me a little about Cougar…
Wa alaykum assalaam, Francesco! Cougar has all what we need to give to our customers. We believe in giving our customers a complete look that inspires them and makes them enjoy living. Cougar reflects power, appeal, strength, beauty, speed, courage and that’s how men should be.

You franchise Italian brands...so what is it that Egyptian men like about Italian tailoring?
In our Arab world, we can’t say we have a complete industrial solution for the menswear industry. On the other hand, Italy is a fashion industry icon. That’s why our fashion is always inspired by Italian fashion, especially for men’s fashion. So we wanted to deliver a message that we review and present Italian fashion to the local market.

Do you work with brands from any other countries?
We work also with many other countries, but mainly we work with Turkey, as Turkey applies the European standards in terms of quality, material & designs but in more affordable prices.

How many stores do you operate now?
Three stores in Cairo and one in Alexandria; but we are looking forward to expanding in other places within the coming few years.

Tell me something about your magazine…
Uomo Moda is the first fashion magazine dedicated to men in Egypt and the Arab countries. We thought of it because we recognized that most men in our world are always interested in everything that is related to future: building business, family security, and leisure like automotives, technology and sports. Finally you’ll find these are all about money and materialistic things. So we thought, “Why don’t we talk to the men—the human being that we want to take care of?”

Specifically, what do you write about in your magazine?
The articles cover everything that a guy would be interested in, whether he is young or not, single or not, father or not, working or not, fashionable or not, can cook or not—all from the fashion aspect. We even talk about sports but from the fashion aspect (sports fashion).

What do the feature articles emphasize?
The main section of Uomo Moda is fashion, where we review one important collection from the local market. Also, we cover the main fashion shows in Italy & USA through our reporters.

How about side articles?
Uomo Moda didn’t forget one very important day of any man’s life; that is, his wedding. So we dedicate a whole section for the groom, before the wedding, then his suit, accessories, and even the honeymoon.

Any special features?
There is one interesting section for the audience in the guides section, in which we post measurements’ guide to menswear (believe it or not, most men don’t know their sizes), and the world’s fashion shows agenda for professionals and individuals.

How many magazines are distributed at a time?
We print 3000 copies for now, but expanding by the end of the first year of production to be 5000 copies, and we are now working on our online version that would be http://www.uomomoda.com/. Expect it soon.

Besides your entrepreneurship and magazine, what other roles do you have in the menswear industry?
Oh yeah, what a question?! Ok, I have loved men’s fashion from my early days; fashion has been always my passion, and still. Sometimes I imagine certain designs, but I never find this imagination. Besides the experience of the business, I have been urged to launch a new design and fashion production house. So now I have the opportunity to release the designer that was kept in me for more than 15 years now.

What type of menswear do you design?
I design classic, casual and royal casual styles, as well as some designs for casual and soirée shoes. The production takes place in Turkey. My designs are typical for the unique man of all ages and for occasions. That’s why we named our design line “Alessandro Massimo,” again Italian and, again, powerful and smart.

For more information, you may go on to reading articles two and three.



Photos Copyright Uomo Moda.

Turkish Men's Fashion: A Glance in History

Recently I was asked to contribute to the first and only men’s magazine in Egypt, Uomo Moda, which in Italian ‘Man’s Fashion’. The editors requested that I write an article on a Turkish company that I had visited several times in Istanbul. As an introduction, I laid out the following brief history of menswear in Turkey.

“Turkey boasts a long and rich history of textile production and menswear that dates back many centuries. The men’s fashion industry in Turkey climbed to new heights during the Ottoman period when swank administrators and wealthy members of society shrouded themselves in opulence, sporting fine silks, fur linings, and exquisite embroideries.

Turkey’s sartorial heritage has not gone unnoticed around the world but rather has resounded on the shores of many nations. Recently, the low-crotch Turkish pants called salvars have appeared on the catwalks of some of the most prestigious fashion weeks in Europe. Even Issey Miyake drew inspiration from the striped Ottoman-styled pants and national flower for the 2010 Spring/Summer collection entitled “Very, Very Mosaic.”

Previously the capital city of the Ottoman Empire, Istanbul is heir to all the luxuriant traditions of sumptuous menswear and refined textile production. Straddling two continents, Europe and Asia, Istanbul is also a crossroads where Eastern and Western styles converge and mingle on a daily basis.

The modern apparel industry, however, was not born until the industrial boom of the 60’s and 70’s, when countless little shops mushroomed throughout the city. Strong work ethics, inexpensive labor, keen business sense, and a local cotton industry have all contributed to the explosive growth of a vibrant manufacturing industry.

But due to both internal and external factors, Istanbul could not afford to settle with mere textile production. Technical advances within the country and intensifying competition from abroad have thrust the Turkish apparel industry to new heights, giving birth to higher quality fabrics and a thriving ready-to-wear industry.

Within the last decade, Turkish labels have been springing up everywhere. Some claim that close to one-third of all manufacturers in Istanbul have ventured into value-added brand names, which can be seen in showrooms all throughout the city’s three fashion districts: Merter, Laleli, and Osmanbey.”

By Francesco Di Maio for Uomo Moda

Photo top right Copyright Uomo Moda.
Photo middle left, Francesco at breakfast, Istanbul, Copyright Men's Fashion by Francesco.
Photo bottom right, vendors in Istanbul, Copyright Men's Fashion by Francesco.