Styled Spotlight: The Rise of Egypt’s Rafik Zaki

In March 2023, world-famous heiress, DJ, and beloved internet persona Paris Hilton released her memoir. The release spurred endless discussions and swiftly ignited a global press tour, with media clamouring for exclusivity and brands vying for a place in her wardrobe. Egypt’s Rafik Zaki secured a spot with an asymmetric black and pink cutout dress.

In April of the same year, Katy Perry was spotted stumbling out of her American Idol trailer, prior to celebrating another successful season, wearing Rafik Zaki’s signature orange fitted corset and fuchsia cargo pants. 

From Selling Sunset starlets to country princesses like Carrie Underwood, Rafik Zaki’s flirtatious designs and bodice-heavy silhouettes have continuously found their way onto global stages. But how did Zaki manage to secure such high-profile clientele?

“There are so many designers paving their own paths,” Zaki tells Scene Styled, his voice a blend of humility and self-assurance. “Why would any woman choose me? How can I make women choose my work in particular?”

Since launching his eponymous label in 2011, Zaki has been vocal about his desire to stand out, and his work is a microcosm of that sentiment. Think figure-hugging gowns, with corsets and bustiers as the foundation. Colours? Secondary. He often opts to hand-paint and embroider custom patterns.

“I’ve always had this insuppressible urge, from when I was a kid, to create something with my hands,” Zaki says. “Design is everything for me.”

His grandmother was his first muse. As a seamstress, she spent most of her time at her sewing machine, surrounded by fabrics. She never pressured Zaki to follow in her footsteps, but her presence and passion left an indelible mark on his career choices.

His work is seemingly mood-based, with storylines to follow. Textures play a huge role in shaping seasonal collections, and unconventional fabric choices often appear as minor details on grandiose pieces. Slits and short trains are staples, while sweetheart necklines add feminine touches.

Zaki attributes much of his creative inspiration to art. “It’s through training myself to view things differently that I was able to envision a solid entity for my label. Dresses or fashion aren’t the base; art is the base, and through art, you can create fashion.”