Hey there,

We hope you had a well-deserved Eid break. And if it felt like it flew by too quickly, at least there are the World Cup matches to look forward to, something to stay excited about while you're stuck filling out endless spreadsheets.

This week, we're paying tribute to one of Egypt's most enduring and influential actresses, whose work consistently explored the realities of women's lives.

Faten Hamama approached these roles from a woman's perspective rather than through a male lens, bringing depth, empathy, and authenticity to the stories she told. She also understood the responsibility that came with being a public figure. For Hamama, acting was never just about entertainment; it was about creating change.

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Art never truly stays in one place. It drifts with the light, dances with the colors of a room, and whispers alongside the furniture, subtly shaping the way we feel as we move through the day. Artel, an art consultancy, transforms interiors into living, breathing spaces, where every piece of art awakens a mood, sparks a thought, and reveals the magic a single artwork can bring to life.

Artwork has the ability to completely transform how a space feels, whether it’s a home, a hotel, a restaurant, or a commercial space. Beyond aesthetics, it creates atmosphere and identity and introduces perspective. A room can be perfectly designed, but art is usually what makes it feel lived-in rather than staged. It gives people something to emotionally connect with in the environment. It creates contrast, rhythm, conversation, all the things that give a space character.

We often say you can learn more about someone from the art they choose than from the furniture they own. The pieces people live with reveal memory, taste, humor, nostalgia, and curiosity. That’s what gives a space personality beyond design trends.

Art becomes necessary when it adds meaning and emotional presence to a space rather than simply filling a wall. The strongest interiors are the ones that make people feel something and leave a lasting impression. The spaces people remember are rarely the most perfect ones — they’re the ones that feel human and make people feel something. That’s when art stops being decorative and starts becoming part of someone’s daily life and inner world.

A single artwork can soften a room, start conversations, create cultural connections, or completely shift the energy of a space. That’s when art moves beyond decoration and becomes part of how a place is experienced daily.

We try to avoid approaching art as something that simply matches an interior palette or fills empty walls. The process is much more about understanding how someone lives, what they’re naturally drawn to, and what kind of atmosphere the space needs.

For hospitality and commercial spaces, especially, art also shapes how people interact with the environment. The right pieces can make a space feel warmer, more grounded, more memorable, or more culturally connected.

For homes and collectors, we always begin with the person before the space- we’re interested in how someone wants to feel in their home, what they’re drawn to instinctively, and the stories or emotions they connect with. The most successful spaces feel layered and personal, not overly matched or predictable.

For commercial spaces, it’s important to tell the brand’s story and reflect on their vision through art. The goal is always for the work to feel intentional — not overly curated or interchangeable.

People respond to color and texture instinctively, even before they consciously register it. Certain tones can create calm or energy, while texture adds warmth and depth that make a space feel less flat or clinical.

Abstract work is especially interesting because it leaves room for interpretation. People bring their own memories, emotions, and associations into it, which makes the relationship with the artwork more personal over time.

Discover more here.

In the first five minutes of El Bab El Maftouh (The Open Door, 1963), Laila, played by Faten Hamama, moves through three starkly different states, each revealing her story. She begins defiant, joining a school protest against imperialism and oppression, only to be violently beaten by her father at home, and ends locked in her bedroom, refusing to open the door. In moments, the “free woman” of the streets becomes a figure of vulnerability, showing how a woman’s identity can be shaped, constrained, and controlled by the spaces she inhabits. Her very self becomes a character trapped within the plot of her own life.

Read the article here.

Both Audrey Hepburn and Faten Hamama revolutionized the way women dressed, giving younger generations the confidence to emulate their style without feeling pressured to appear overtly ‘sexy.’ But their impact went beyond fashion. Both shared qualities that made them beloved stars: a commitment to humanitarian work and the courage to blend masculinity with femininity in their public personas.

Hepburn’s role as Jo Stockton in Funny Face (1957) became an iconic reference for women embracing a more ‘tomboyish’ style, with her black pants, flats, and simple polo-neck look. Off-screen, she often combined traditionally masculine pieces, striped t-shirts, blazers, men’s shirts, with high-waisted trousers and soft red lipstick, making elegance feel effortless yet unconventional.

Similarly, Hamama’s portrayal of Mona in Empire M (1972) showed a widow raising six children, dressed in blazers and office attire, balancing authority with compassion. In her role, she acted as both father and mother, demonstrating that strength, style, and empathy could coexist.

Read the article here.

At its heart, The Open Door is a story about freedom, both personal and political. Through Layla’s journey from adolescence to adulthood, Latifa al-Zayyat explores the expectations placed on women in mid-century Egypt and the difficult process of forging an identity beyond them. As Layla navigates love, family, and political upheaval, she begins to question the boundaries imposed on her, discovering that her search for independence is inseparable from Egypt’s own struggle for self-determination.

Read more here.

Light, energetic, and made for warm days and late nights, Nano by TUL8TE and Saint Levant blends infectious rhythms with charisma; it's the kind of track that stays with you long after it ends. Whether you're heading to work, tackling your to-do list, or starting to get into summer mode, Nano brings a burst of momentum that pushes you straight into the right vibe. Consider this your sign to press play.

Listen here.

If you’re looking for a film that’s equal parts heart and mystery, Ezma is a must-watch. It starts on Issa’s birthday, when he gets a surprise from his old friend Sera: a box of videotapes he made for himself 18 years earlier. On them, his younger self explains a game called “Ezma,” a series of clues and symbolic challenges meant to help him find his way if he ever felt lost.

Watch it here.

From the moment you step inside, you’re completely surrounded by the sea, not just in theme, but in atmosphere. Moving projections of fish, waves, and shifting ocean light flow across the space, making it feel like you’re sitting right at the bottom of the ocean rather than in a restaurant. While you’re enjoying fresh seafood, the room around you is alive with drifting schools of fish and rolling currents, creating this immersive, almost dreamlike setting.

Find out more here.

Old Cairo in Motion is an immersive videography workshop led by Karim Magdy, a seasoned visual storyteller who has been capturing daily life and human experiences through street photography and video since 2017. Set amidst the historic lanes of El Darb El Ahmar, the workshop blends learning, observation, and hands-on practice. Participants will dive into the essentials of street videography, documenting candid moments, local interactions, and the vibrant spirit of one of Cairo’s most dynamic neighborhoods.

Find out more here.

With a history that includes memorable World Cup moments and a renewed commitment to football development, Saudi Arabia will aim to translate years of investment and preparation into a successful run.

Read more here.