Cairo According to: Sara El Mowafy

Whimsical isn’t usually a word ascribed to Cairo, but when fashion designer and stylist Sara El Mowafy gets to work, she turns the city into one big technicolour playground. There’s a very particular way of encountering Cairo when you do it fabric-first, diving into the depths of Wekalet el Balah and Bab El Shaariya, and emerging not just with clothes but with a vision. Even when she’s made to mediate that vision for another party, like when she styled Abyusif in laidback chic for SceneNoise’s exclusive interview and video feature of the rapper in July 2026, her encounters of the city and its fashion ecosystem still shine through.

Here, Sara El Mowafy pays tribute to 3enba, describes Cairo as a live exhibition of car stickers, and tells us it’s okay to go on solo dates, too.

What’s a place that means Cairo to you?

An oddly specific, very special place to me is a fabric store in Wekalet el Balah. I have been going to Medhat and Maged’s store for the past five years.

The reason that this place is an encapsulation of Cairo to me is because of the social dynamic that I find there. There is a very Cairene kindness that I am shown there, from the insistent “you have to drink something” to the store owners going above and beyond to help me find a specific fabric, even if it’s not in their own store.

Complete the following: Cairo is…

A live exhibition of car stickers.

As I drive around the city, I find there is nothing that better captures the spirit of Egyptians than what they choose to stick on their vehicles. From names of loved ones to local proverbs, I find so much joy in intentionally looking out for and documenting these statements of presence.

What’s your favourite neighbourhood?

I am torn between two neighbourhoods

Degla Maadi has my heart! Even though I annoyingly live 40 minutes away, I am there almost every day. It’s green, walkable, and has great hangout spots. Whether you’re looking for a walk in a quiet empty street or an exciting night in a loud lively area, Degla has it all.

A strong contender is West El Balad, the ultimate cosmopolitan. There’s so much to see, the old, the new, the street stands, the overwhelming amount of people, the chaotic loud cars, the hidden coffee shops, the stores of all varieties. EVERYTHING that makes Cairo what it is, is in West El Balad.

Your go-to food spot?

Lokali in Maadi is THE place to go! I’ve been going for years and I have to say, their food is to die for. My go-to meal is the mini-burger with wedges. I love their choice of decor and the fact that the place is surrounded by trees. BUT I do have to say that my absolute favourite thing about the place is the absurd amount of cats that are always there!

Your go-to café?

I absolutely looooove Genco in Maadi. They have THE best matcha in town, the staff is suuuuper nice, and I have to give props to whoever made their music playlist!

Your go-to date spot?

A felucca on the Nile from Maadi. Whether you’re doing a solo date or going with a partner, this is the perfect choice. The thing that sets aside a felucca in Maadi, rather than the more commonly chosen Zamalek felucca, is that there is exquisite green scenery and that it is way calmer.

What isn’t a Cairo landmark but should be?

Ramses Wissa Wassef Art Center is a visit that you’re definitely missing out on. It is a place with a beautiful soul; you will feel as though you have been transported to a better, more peaceful reality. The architecture of the place is what I wish the entirety of Egypt would look like. The artisans there definitely deserve your attention and acknowledgment for their skilful, passionate work, and their boundless creativity and knowledge.

Tell us a song that feels like Cairo.

Hona Al Kahera by 3enba. This song is THE sound of Cairo, it encapsulates the assertive and bold sounds of the city.

What's a place in Cairo you wish you could revisit for the first time?

Bab El Shaariya. I remember the first time I went, I was buying leather and adornments for a project I was working on. I fell in love with the busy streets there; rich with leather vendors, shoe-makers, sewing materials, and decorative trimmings. Now, whenever I source materials, this area is always on my route. Everything that I could ever need is there, my own personal utopia.