Thursday March 28th, 2024
Download SceneNow app
Copied

Miiizan Footwear Draws Inspiration From Medieval Architecture

Taking after the buildings and traditions of Old Cairo, these footwear pieces from Miiizan feature designs that resonate with one of the most influential eras of Egyptian art and culture.

Farah Ibrahim

Miiizan Footwear Draws Inspiration From Medieval Architecture

Islamic architecture is a defining force in Cairo, shaping the capital’s skyline with geometric laws drawn from divine law and inspiration. Taking after the buildings and traditions of Old Cairo, these footwear pieces from Miiizan feature designs that resonate with one of the most influential eras of Egyptian art and culture.


“I loved Islamic architecture and wanted to incorporate that into the design,” El Shibiny tells SceneStyle. “Miiizan represents balance, equilibrium, and equality.”


As a history and political science degree-holder, Miiizan’s founder Malika El Shibiny funnelled her love for Egyptian heritage into her label - from the logo which alludes to the architectural principle of ‘Ara’es el Samaa’, referring to the mediaeval pickets that point to the sky, to each of her products, which she describes as ‘nostalgic footwear’.


“It draws inspiration from different eras in history, that’s why it’s nostalgic— it reminisces about a different time,” El Shibiny explains. “Not just that, but the production process is artisanal and dates back a very long time.”


Cultural influences are woven deep into the soles of Miiizan’s pieces. Impeccable craftsmanship employed from Khan El Khalili workshops ensures that the architectural lines seen in the brand’s shoes uphold the integrity of the design in a display of technical mastery.


Miiizan’s debut winter collection features a set of various black, genuine leather loafers with the same motifs and coloured fur rimming, available in Burgundy, Emerald, and black colour ways. For their upcoming summer collection, we’ll leave it as a surprise, but we do know that sneakers may just be en route.