Bibliotheca Alexandrina is organizing a seminar titled “Costumes of Egypt” featuring researcher Shahira Mehrez, a prominent expert in Islamic art and the field of Egyptian heritage and traditional costumes.
The seminar will focus on Mehrez’s book, “Costumes of Egypt, The Lost Legacies,” which encapsulates her extensive research spanning years in documenting traditional attire across Egypt, from Upper Egypt to the Delta, and from the oases to the Sinai Peninsula.
The event is scheduled for Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at 4:00 PM in the Small Theater at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina Conference Center.
A Lifetime Dedicated to Egyptian Heritage
Shahira Mehrez is a prominent figure in the realm of Islamic art, a fashion designer, and a producer of numerous Egyptian heritage craft from the era of the ancient Egyptians to the present day. Mehrez has dedicated herself to preserving Egyptian crafts, folklore, and traditional costumes.
From Chemistry to Cultural Heritage
Initially pursuing studies in Chemistry at Helwan University, Mehrez later realized that her true passion lay in Egyptian heritage and folklore. This pivotal realization led her to change course and pursue a Master’s degree in the field. Driven by a desire for deeper exploration, she embarked on a journey to collect various forms of traditional clothing from twelve different regions across Egypt.
A Collaborative Research Journey
The Bibliotheca Alexandrina’s Arts and Heritage Collections team collaborated with Shahira Mehrez during her research journey. They provided access to certain items from the Raaya El-Nemr Collection, the core collection of the Permanent Exhibition of Arab Folk Art at the library. Mehrez included these items, along with their descriptions and origins, in her book, which serves as a detailed and explanatory documentation of various types of Egyptian costumes in terms of materials, ornaments, and used decorations.
The Permanent Exhibition of Arab Folk Art
The Permanent Exhibition of Arab Folk Art at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina is a cornerstone of the library’s daily tours for visitors of all ages and backgrounds. It houses over 600 artifacts and heritage items from the private collection of the artist Raaya El-Nemr, whose family donated it to the library out of belief in its value and a desire to preserve and make it accessible to the public. Additionally, the exhibition features over 40 paintings by her husband, the visual artist and pioneer of Egyptian folk art, Abdel Ghani Abu El-Enein, depicting traditional costumes, jewelry, and scenes from the lives of people in rural and Upper Egypt.
This upcoming seminar offers a unique opportunity to delve into the rich tapestry of Egyptian traditional costumes through the dedicated research and insightful perspectives of Shahira Mehrez.
