Latest news with #French-Tunisian
CairoScene
18-05-2025
- Business
- CairoScene
This French-Tunisian Label is Rooted in Consciousness and Culture
'In Tunisia, they call us the 'chez nous là-bas,' which means 'at home over there,' I thought, why not embrace this identity?' What does it mean to feel at home, even when you're far away? For many in the diaspora, it's a question of identity, rooted in the traditions and memories that travel with them. For Camélia Barbachi, it was this sense of belonging that inspired the creation of Chez Nous, a slow fashion label that bridges her French-Tunisian heritage with a commitment to ethical production. Growing up in France, Barbachi remained connected to her North African roots. 'I was super excited for summer in Tunisia, where I would explore in more depth my grandma's traditional garments and jewellery,' Barbachi tells Scene Styled. Yet, fashion wasn't initially her way of expressing this connection. It wasn't until the global shakeup of 2020 that Barbachi found herself drawn to creating something that resonated with her background and values. "I had just spent an academic year investigating the impact of fast fashion, and I felt the ethical fashion offer was lacking creativity but also inclusivity," she says. 'I just thought to myself 'maybe that's something I can bring to the table,'' Barbachi notes This realisation was the catalyst for Chez Nous, a brand that seeks to bring people together through fashion that is both ethical and deeply personal. The name, she explains, came naturally. 'In Tunisia, they call us the 'chez nous là-bas,' which means 'at home over there,' referring to Tunisians from the diaspora. I thought, why not embrace this identity?' Launching a slow fashion brand from scratch, especially as a young graduate, came with its fair share of challenges. Financing was a significant hurdle, particularly because Barbachi insisted on the highest ethical standards for every part of the production process. "When you decide to do things ethically, everything is expensive: from fabrics to manufacturing to packaging," she explains. To overcome these obstacles, she turned to crowdfunding, successfully gathering over 250 pre-orders in just one month. With her first collection funded, Barbachi was able to focus on what truly mattered: quality over quantity. This philosophy continues to guide the brand today, ensuring that each piece is meticulously crafted, with the strictest standards for sustainability and ethical production. Chez Nous' garments are produced in Tunisia and France, where Barbachi works with ethical workshops that guarantee fair wages and working conditions. 'It was important to me that the brand's values were reflected in the entire production process,' she says. This sense of responsibility extends to every aspect of the business, from fabric sourcing to packaging, and is a key element of the brand's growing reputation. From traditional North African wear to the rich colours and patterns inspired by Tunisian architecture, Chez Nous is a celebration of cultural identity. "I've always been very proud of my Tunisian heritage," she tells SceneStyled. "My brand is an outlet for me to pay tribute to that and celebrate my identity through art." One of Barbachi's personal favourite pieces is the "Anwar" overshirt, inspired by the traditional Tunisian 'dengri'. "It's an ode to the immigrants who worked hard so that my generation could have a better life," she says. As the world begins to grapple with the environmental and social consequences of fast fashion, slow fashion is increasingly gaining momentum. Barbachi sees a promising future for the movement. "As people become more aware, I think the demand for ethical, high-quality, and timeless pieces will grow," she says. At Copenhagen Fashion Week, where she recently participated, brands were required to meet stringent sustainability criteria - a positive sign for the industry's future. 'It made me quite optimistic about what's to come.' For Chez Nous, the goal is to lead by example, offering consumers an alternative to fast fashion by promoting clothing that's not just stylish, but meaningful. "We aim to inspire a new generation to embrace slow fashion as a lifestyle, not just a trend," Barbachi tells SceneStyled. Three years after its founding, Chez Nous continues to grow, with Barbachi navigating the notoriously difficult fashion industry as a newcomer. Her dedication to sustainability and ethical practices earned her a nomination for the "Designer for the Planet" category at Milan Fashion Week, a significant milestone for the brand. "That was definitely an important milestone," she says. Ultimately, Chez Nous is a message of connection; to our roots, to each other, and to the world around us. As Barbachi tells SceneStyled, "It's about creating a sense of home, wherever you are, through clothing that embodies culture, consciousness, and authenticity."
Egypt Today
17-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Egypt Today
Nadine Abdel Ghaffar Meets French President Emmanuel Macron During His Official Visit to Egypt
During his recent official visit to Egypt, His Excellency President Emmanuel Macron met with Nadine Abdel Ghaffar, founder of Art D'Égypte by CulturVator, at the French Institute of Oriental Archaeology in Cairo. This meeting reaffirms the deep-rooted cultural ties between Egypt and France and supports their joint efforts to foster dialogue between civilizations through art and culture. This meeting comes four years after Ms. Nadine Abdel Ghaffar was awarded Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, in recognition of her impactful contributions to promoting art and culture and sharing Egyptian creativity with the world. During the meeting, President Macron expressed his appreciation for the efforts of Art D'Égypte by Culturvator in promoting Egyptian culture and preserving heritage by merging it with contemporary art. He emphasized the importance of continuing cultural cooperation between France and Egypt. In turn, Nadine Abdel Ghaffar shared her pride in the meeting, noting that France's support for the arts and culture continues to inspire her mission to position Egypt as a global platform for art and creativity. This year marks the fifth edition of the Forever is Now exhibition, which will feature a renowned French artist. Since its launch, the exhibition has served as a cultural bridge between Egypt and France, being the first contemporary art exhibition ever held at the Pyramids of Giza. Over the years, it has welcomed some of the most French prominent artists who left a significant mark on the Egyptian art scene: • JR, the French visual artist, participated in the first and second editions with large-scale interactive works combining photography and conceptual art, creating a unique experience that bridges past and present. • eL Seed, the French-Tunisian artist, blended Arabic calligraphy with street art to convey messages of unity and shared culture in a captivating visual language. • In the third edition, Stephan Bruer, a digital artist, presented a distinctive visual experience that reinterpreted ancient Egyptian architecture through light and visual illusion. • In the fourth edition, Jean-Marie Appriou added a mythological dimension to the historical site through his poetic sculptural works, supported by Perrotin Gallery. Prominent French cultural institutions have played a vital role in the success of these initiatives, including the French Embassy in Egypt, the French Institute in Cairo, and the Centre Pompidou under the leadership of Laurent Le Bon. TV5 Monde also supported the global promotion of the exhibition through media campaigns that amplify the voice of contemporary art and highlight the importance of cultural dialogue. As further global recognition, the exhibition is under the patronage of UNESCO, headquartered in France, emphasizing its role in connecting civilizations and preserving heritage through modern art. Forever is Now presents a unique artistic vision that merges Egypt's ancient legacy with contemporary expression, offering visitors a journey from the depths of history to the horizons of the future. The project embodies the strong cultural bond between Egypt and France and underscores how art can be a powerful tool for human and cultural connection across time. Through these initiatives, Nadine Abdel Ghaffar and Art D'Égypte by CulturVator continue to play a pivotal role in building bridges between civilizations and positioning Egypt as a global destination for art and creativity.
Arab News
11-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Hidden treasures: el Seed unveils 'Continuum' in Diriyah
RIYADH: In conjunction with Art Week Riyadh, French-Tunisian artist Faouzi Khlifi — better known as eL Seed — has transformed the side streets of Diriyah into an interactive art experience. For the latest updates, follow us on Instagram @ His temporary installation 'Continuum' uses his signature style, combining Arabic calligraphy and sculpture with vibrant colors and playful elements. This time, he's inviting the public to embark on a scavenger hunt to uncover seven hidden artworks throughout the area. Visitors can access an online map to guide them to each installation. 'The concept of mixing sculpture and painting was something I wanted to for a few years. I did some experiments from 2019, but I never made it real. Until now,' he told Arab News. 'Continuum' is also deeply rooted in eL Seed's ongoing exploration of identity. 'As a kid growing up in France to Tunisian parents, I felt so many times — people made me feel — that there was something missing, you know? That's why I got into Arabic calligraphy, because of this identity crisis that had as a kid in France,' he says. 'I needed to come back to my roots.' Entirely self-funded and built with the help of a tight-knit local team, 'Continuum' reflects eL Seed's commitment to both community engagement and independent artistic expression. 'I'm an artist. This project for me was really about challenging myself,' he says. 'I was not commissioned. It's a passion project. Over the past few months, he scouted various locations, ultimately selecting seven overlooked walls across Diriyah (because, he says, 'six is too little and eight is too many') — spaces that many pass by daily without noticing. 'I call those 'lost walls.' The wall has a story that people don't even look at,' he says. 'People just walk right by. They don't even see it.' Each of the sites features a unique Arabic quote chosen by the artist, sourced from Arab writers whose messages explore themes of belonging. 'The wall speaks to me and I know which quote to use for it,' el Seed says. The sculptural works were produced in collaboration with Rashed AlShashai, a prominent Saudi artist who has a studio at JAX. They fabricated the custom items on site. 'I had a beautiful team of people who helped me to make it happen. The community helped me. The Rashed AlShashai team, they produced the sculpture in a week,' eL Seed says. Planning for the project began back in September. Initially, eL Seed considered a different location — two hours from Riyadh — before deciding that Diriyah offered the perfect balance of visibility and charm. And the project was, at one point, going to be launched in February, but he decided to launch it at the inaugural Art Week Riyadh instead, to give it 'importance.' The installations will be gone in two weeks. Though temporary, they are meant to spark long-lasting conversations around public space, memory and meaning. 'It's a broken wall,' he says. 'But for me, it's about putting a sculpture where you're not supposed to find it, and the conversation (it sparks) with people in the neighborhood… kids, other people… When I was working, a man was walking back home from the mosque. He's like, 'Why are you painting here? It's like a museum now!'' Alongside the public works, eL Seed is also debuting a new exhibition, which opened April 8, that ties into the themes of the outdoor installations. Having been involved with the Kingdom for the past 15 years, eL Seed says he feels a deep connection to the country. 'I think people here appreciate my work and I appreciate the people here. I enjoy being here. I enjoy coming to Riyadh,' he says. He hopes the public will hunt for the pieces, photograph them and engage with the city in a new way. Both on and offline. 'So it's (art) and a treasure together,' he says. 'And the cool part is: If you want to steal them, you can.'
Arab News
17-03-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Rights advocates urge Morocco to annul activist's prison term
TUNIS: Nearly 300 rights advocates and experts from countries in North Africa and France have signed a petition calling on Morocco to free activist Fouad Abdelmoumni, sentenced to jail for 'spreading false allegations' online. Abdelmoumni, a human rights advocate, was sentenced in early March to six months in prison for charges related to a post he had shared on Facebook, alleging that Morocco had spied against France. A petition, which by Monday has gathered 295 signatures, said that 'Abdelmoumni should have been prosecuted under the press code, which does not provide for prison sentences. But he was charged under the penal code.' He would be taken into custody 'if the verdict is upheld' by an appeals court, said the petition shared on Abdelmoumni's Facebook page. The signatories said the sentence was part of a 'repressive policy' by governments across the region, 'aimed at silencing any voices advocating for freedom of expression, respect for human rights and democracy.' They called for 'the annulment of his sentence and the release of all political prisoners held in Morocco and other Maghreb countries.' The signatories include former Doctors Without Borders president Rony Brauman, French-Tunisian historian Sophie Bessis, and Tunisian activists Mokhat Trifi and Sana Ben Achour. In his Facebook post last year, Abdelmoumni echoed accusations of Moroccan espionage against France. Prosecutors argued that his statements constituted 'allegations harmful to the kingdom's interests' and went 'beyond the limits of freedom of expression, amounting to criminal offenses punishable by law.' Abdelmoumni shared the post during a visit by French President Emmanuel Macron, which had marked a thawing of diplomatic ties between Rabat and Paris after three years of strained relations, partially over the espionage allegations. In 2021, Morocco was accused of deploying Israeli-made Pegasus spyware to monitor prominent figures including Macron. The allegations were based on a report by investigative outlet Forbidden Stories and rights group Amnesty International, which Morocco called 'baseless and false.' The spyware, developed by Israeli firm NSO Group, can infiltrate mobile phones, extracting data and activating cameras.
