fbpx
Close

Louis Barthélemy launches lifestyle brand UDJAT to support Egypt’s artisanal traditions

UDJAT promotes local craft traditions through a contemporary perspective

“I found myself stuck in Cairo when the first lockdown happened,” Louis Barthélemy begins. Like many stranded outside their countries of residence during the first outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic at the start of last year, the French artist and illustrator was unable to leave Egypt – a country whose culture and history he has long admired. His love affair with Egypt first began when he came across Denis Dailleux’s photography book Mère et Fils, that featured images of Egyptian bodybuilders with their mothers. His interest only grew when he finally visited Cairo, where he not only fell in love with its chaos, but also found romantic love.

UDJAT by Louis Barthelemy

Three years later, once again finding himself in Cairo – and this time unable to leave – Barthélemy was encouraged by his friend Laila Neamatalla to seek refuge away from the city and travel to the urban oasis of Siwa, located 50 kilometres from the Libyan border. Siwa is one of the country’s most isolated settlements, with a mostly Berber population who have developed a unique desert culture and a language of their own.

Neamatalla, who is a jewellery designer, offered to host Barthélemy for five months in Siwa, where her brothers own the eco-lodge Adrère Amellal. Alongside Neamatalla – who is now his business partner – Barthélemy was introduced to different craftspeople. From here, the artist, who has previously designed fabrics for Dior and worked with brands including Gucci and Salvatore Ferragamo, began creating objects with the help of local artisans. This organic process resulted in the birth of UDJAT.

Read more: Designers across the Middle East revisit traditional craft to create contemporary furniture and objects

“[We wanted to] create a community of skilled artisans [who could help us] promote – across Egypt and beyond – the beauty of local crafts through a contemporary vision,” Barthélemy explains.

Upon its pillars of craftsmanship and heritage – from which the brand draws its resources and inspiration – UDJAT balances fashion and decorative items made of natural materials that are both casual and elegant, boasting organic silhouettes. Materials across the collections include the salt rock, limestone, ceramics and earthy elements found across Siwa and its surroundings.

“All our products involve handwork and a traditional savoir-faire with a fresh and contemporary touch. Shapes are inspired by hieroglyphs, ancient amphorae and the need, especially during this time, to recreate a comfortable home with natural elements,” Barthélemy says.

UDJAT by Louis Barthelemy

However, it is community engagement that is at the heart of UDJAT, with collaborations including Nilifurat in Maadi, Cairo – a space for learning, experimenting and production, created for a group of refugee and Egyptian women. Together, they bring diverse cultural heritage and storytelling, creating high-quality artisanal products while generating income. For UDJAT, they produce silk-screen printed items.

UDJAT is currently backed by Environmental Quality International, a company that is involved in the Revival of the Egyptian Museum Initiative. “When the concept of the brand came to life, it felt appropriate to allocate a retail space for it. And since UDJAT celebrates Egyptian heritage and crafts, the future museum’s gift shop felt like the perfect place to present our products in,” says Barthélemy.

The French artist also wishes to involve local creatives within the brand, such as photographers and graphic designers as well as artisans. “We want to create a community of young and promising talent to represent a nation with a booming youth culture,” he says.

Read more: Emirati crafts: How the UAE is preserving its intangible heritage

The Latest

Read ‘New Generations’ – Note from the editor – June 2025

Read identity magazine's June 2025 edition on ISSUU or grab your copy at the newsstands.

Edginess in Shenzhen

This contemporary duplex with glowing accents brings a touch of Paris elegance to one of China’s booming cities

Technogym Artis

Technogym’s new Artis Luxury line blends style and design

High-performance wellness meets seamless integration of advanced technology, sustainability, and timeless style.

Things to Covet – May 2025

Here are the latest releases that we spotted at Milan Design Week

AMAN NAI LERT

A Contemporary Sanctuary Rooted in Thai Heritage

The newest Aman hotel in Bangkok offers culture, craft and timeless design

LUTRON

Light as a Design Statement

Lutron’s Alisse Keypads and S-Curve Shades are elevating Middle Eastern interiors with seamless control and sculptural beauty

Optical Delight

Influenced by the geometric formation of crystals, Arctic elegantly captures and refracts light

Downtown Design Riyadh

Highlights from Downtown Design Riyadh

From collectible creations and immersive installations to Saudi-driven showcases, the Kingdom’s first high-end contemporary design fair spotlighted local vision and global design excellence.

Oikos

An impressive entrance at a home in Amman, Jordan

The Synua pivot door by Oikos defines the entrance of a contemporary villa in Jordan’s capital with scale, strength, and striking materiality.

Small Spaces, Big Impact

How intentional design, emotional storytelling and clever craftsmanship can quickly transform challenging spaces into points of interest

Cosentino at Downtown Design Riyadh

Cosentino’s Moon Vignettes makes a comeback at Downtown Design Riyadh

Over 70% of the installation has been repurposed for this edition, showcasing the brand's dedication to circular economy.