Where Weave Meets Wheels: Kahhal 1871’s New Visual Statement

Kahhal 1871, a family-run rug house with roots stretching back over a century, is known for its handwoven rugs and generational commitment to traditional production. Founded in Cairo and still operated by the family today, the brand continues to draw from regional techniques while expanding its visual language for new contexts and audiences.

In the spirit of embracing the new while staying grounded in the old, Kahhal 1871 quite literally laid its legacy down in a bold visual campaign aimed at a new generation. In an arresting scene, skaters glide through a concrete bowl lined with Persian and Cairene rugs, bringing movement to centuries-old patterns.

“We decided to stop just talking about heritage and start using it as a tool to move forward,” says Mohamed El Kahhal, Managing Director of Kahhal 1871, reflecting on the mindset shift that has shaped the brand’s recent direction. While this visual statement isn’t tied to a specific rug collection, it signals the spirit that will inform future releases.

Directed by Intuition and styled by Be-Indie, the short visual features three generations of skaters weaving across the rugs, turning the pieces into part of the performance. “It’s about placing the intricacy of heritage design in a modern setting and showing the durability of our rugs, even under the wheels,” El Kahhal explains. Though long recognised for preserving traditional craftsmanship, Kahhal 1871’s engagement with contemporary culture is not new. In recent years, the brand has collaborated with a range of modern artists and designers, blending time-honoured weaving with modern aesthetics. Collaborators have included Aliaa El Geredy, Pillar Zeta, and El Seed, each bringing a distinct voice to the traditional weave. The brand’s work with fashion label Okhtein extended this dialogue further, merging Kahhal 1871’s tactile sensibility with Okhtein’s signature use of motifs. The collaboration explored how design—whether worn or woven—can carry shared codes of identity, ornament, and texture.

More than a visual experiment, the broader approach is about prompting designers to ask the right questions. As El Kahhal puts it, “The goal is staying relevant to today’s culture, because it’s the only way forward.” For the brand, that means engaging younger generations by incorporating contemporary visions into a centuries-old medium.