July 2024. Myself and two of my besties were on our annual friends’ trip -- the kind that has become a tradition, equal parts joy, chaos, and discovery. As always, we started in Lisbon (non-negotiable as we’re collectively obsessed), before hopping to Marrakech, and finally landing in Cairo. If you’ve ever experienced Northern Africa in July… whew chile, the heat was not there to play.
A time was had shopping the vibrant, colorful and alive medinas in Marrakech -- but by the time we reached Cairo, we were officially parched, sun-soaked and desperate for indoor exploration with aggressive air conditioning.
The Pyramids, the Heat and a Turning Point
Of course, we couldn’t not visit the Pyramids of Giza.
Yes, we braved the elements.
Yes, we climbed inside, all the way up to the (empty) sarcophagus chamber.
It was exhilarating, humbling… and very hot.
That experience sealed it: the next chapter of our Cairo adventure needed to be indoors.
A Google Search That Changed Everything
Cue me, back at the hotel, phone in hand, typing: “sustainable handmade products in Egypt.” Enter: Fair Trade Egypt.
First of all -- excellent brand name. Clear, confident and unmistakable. SEO gold aside, what caught my attention immediately was their mission: preserving traditional Egyptian crafts while creating sustainable livelihoods for artisans across the country.
We hopped in a car and pulled up to an architecturally stunning, yet understated building. We took the elevator up and stepped into a space that instantly felt right.
The store was calm, thoughtful, and deeply intentional -- each section showcasing a different artisan group, from ceramics to brass jewelry to rugs. This wasn’t souvenir shopping. This was story-driven craftsmanship.
It was here that I learned about Rawia, a ceramicist from Tunis Village and the first woman in her community to open her own pottery workshop. In a place where women were expected to remain within the home, choosing independence through craft meant facing doubt and resistance -- and still persisting. #SheDidThat
Standing in that space, surrounded by her work and others like it, the mission of Fair Trade Egypt became real. Not abstract. Not theoretical. Human.
By the end of our visit, we had one clear next stop: the nearest luggage store, where we bought the largest suitcase available to get our finds home to the U.S.
Why Fair Trade Egypt Feels Like Home at Kindred & Kin
Standing there, surrounded by pieces that honored heritage, skill, and dignity, I knew this wasn’t just a great shopping find -- it was a future partner.
Fair Trade Egypt has long embodied what Kindred & Kin strives to stand for. Through ethical sourcing, artisan-led storytelling and a deep commitment to cultural preservation, they remind us that the most meaningful objects are created with intention -- never haste.
Some brands you discover. Others feel like they were always meant to be part of the story. Fair Trade Egypt is the latter and I’m honored to share their work, their artisans, and their mission with the Kindred & Kin community.
This is just the beginning.
