2008
Chapter 01
Where it began
Born in Kuwait, Asmaa studied fashion at the Higher Institute of Applied Arts in Cairo. She graduated in 2008 with distinction.
The designer
Asmaa Shafi
In her words
Who am I?
I set out on my journey in the world of fashion design years ago. With every wedding dress I design, I become more certain that it is not just fabric and lace. It is an expression of the bride’s personality and an embodiment of her big day.
I believe every bride has her own dream, and my greatest concern is to translate that dream into a unique dress that tells her story in the most beautiful way.
What distinguishes my designs is my constant pursuit of innovation: breaking away from the familiar while keeping elegance and refinement. I am always looking for new ways to make every dress an unforgettable work of art.
That is what leads me today to share a new passion with you: bringing the art of optical illusion into wedding dress design.
Her story
The journey so far
2009to 2014
Chapter 02
Teaching while learning
Alongside her own studies she worked as a teaching assistant at the Higher Institute of Applied Arts (Academy of Art and Design), passing on what she was learning.
In 2010 she earned a master’s degree in fashion design from the Faculty of Applied Arts at Helwan University.
2011to 2013
Chapter 03
A second craft: jewelry
She trained in jewelry and ornament making, earning a diploma at the Borgo Italian Design and Fashion Center in Cairo.
She designed jewelry at the “My Diamond” diamond design workshop, then taught jewelry design and making at the Italian Fashion Academy until 2013.
2013
Chapter 04
Into the theatre
She joined the costume workshop at the Creative Arts Center at the Cairo Opera House, working with director Khaled Galal and Prof. Naima Agami.
Her stage credits include:
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Theatre
Macbeth Live
Directed by Ahmed Fouad, Creative Arts Center, Cairo Opera House.
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Theatre
Macbeth: Arabic Film
Directed by Yousra El-Sharkawy, Creative Arts Center, Cairo Opera House.
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Theatre
A Stroll on the Battlefield
Directed by Ahmed Fouad, Hanager Arts Center, Cairo Opera House.
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Theatre
Al-Shamal Egbary
Directed by Mohamed Habib, Hanager Arts Center, Cairo Opera House.
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Theatre
Awwal Faisal (Broadway)
Faculty of Law production, Cairo University Theatre Festival.
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Theatre
The Session
Directed by Monadel Antar.
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Film festival
37th Cairo International Film Festival
Costumes for the opening and closing ceremony parade, directed by Khaled Galal, Cairo Opera House.
2015
Chapter 05
A house of her own
She founded Asmaa Shafi Fashion House, a studio for designing and producing theatre costumes and jewelry.
2016
Chapter 06
The first show
She presented her first fashion show: designs that expressed her love of fashion through different combinations of fabrics and colors.
2019to 2020
Chapter 07
Muscat
Her costumes travelled to the Royal Opera House Muscat in the Sultanate of Oman, first for the ballet The Ringed Dove (2019, directed by Ahmed El-Sayed), then for the sung opera Tarh Al-Bahr by Munir Al-Waseemi (2020, directed by Abdullah Mohamed Saad).
Today
Chapter 08
The bride
She turned to wedding dress design. Her work is known for detail and simplicity at once, and it became her breakthrough. It continues to this day.
Today she leads Asmaa Shafi Fashion House in 6th of October, Giza, designs each bridal look herself, and teaches couture design to the next generation at Bridal Couture Lab.
