In a Cairo mansion beautified by the patina of time, on an ornate tapestry, a vintage sofa or outdoors by a fan and a jasmine tree, Adhar, Chantal and Sherouk pose in their swimsuits, each her story, her body, her freedom. Meet Malak ElNahas and her intrepid swimwear brand MELKYANA.
‘MELKYANA is an ode to the complex but beautiful duality of the Arab woman.’ The name stems from the Arabic words “ملكي أنا” meaning “mine; my own", an invitation for women to unapologetically embrace their unique identity and narrative. Bold rope bikini, one-piece corset with transparencies, satined cut-out top, Malak creates audacious swimwear that can turn into summer wear, for women to transition seamlessly from beach to city, and everywhere in between. ‘The hybridity of the pieces mirrors the woman wearing them, one who walks the line between her rich cultural heritage and her contemporary lifestyle.’ ‘As an Egyptian woman, my personal narrative is deeply intertwined with the experiences and perceptions of Egyptian women. Our society often presents predefined notions of femininity and identity, which can pose challenges for women seeking to express their true selves. But we are seeing the rise of "hybrid women" who are breaking barriers.’ Malak herself is proud to be part of this movement and ‘will continue to claim my space. I am strong, versatile and multifaceted. I am a hybrid woman.’ She is inspired by other like-minded women of which Alya Mooro an Egyptian-British writer, author of “The Greater Freedom”, ‘in which she perfectly describes the Middle Eastern woman outside of stereotypes.’ MELKYANA is Dubai-born and ‘that is something I am very proud of given that I was raised in the UAE. There is a progressive and forward-thinking atmosphere found in the country that plays a role in shaping any brand, Malak says. ‘I don’t believe in cages’, ‘the world is just a game of dancing perspectives’, ‘I am many things’, the launch campaign messages and visuals imagined in collaboration with creative Chantal Brocca translates the essence of MELKYANA. The campaign concept revolves around the question ‘who am I?’ and the shots of the different women are there to answer this. ‘Through their looks, their movements, their actions, they are in total control of their own being. And this is the answer; ‘I am my own’ which translates to ‘I am مِلكي أنا.’
A Dubai-based Egyptian marketeer at heart, Malak wanted to learn the ropes from experts in the field before launching MELKYANA. She spent weeks at the atelier in Istanbul to learn from the tailors and seamstresses. She tells us she wanted this hands-on experience to understand the intricacies of garment construction and gain a deeper appreciation for the artistry. ‘I am also blessed with a team who have been guiding me throughout the journey, starting from my production consultant all the way to my partner who consults on the brand image.’ Black, kaki green, brown, for her first collection, Malak chose a palette evoking the tones of the Middle East, inked in our traditions and culture, while the use of edgy stretch satin and mesh fabrics creates a balance of sensuality and playfulness. Each piece can be reinterpreted by the woman who wears it. The one-piece swimsuits; the "hybrid backless" and "hybrid corset" can be styled as body suits for an evening look. The "rope bikini" ropes can be removed or replaced with a gold chain or diamond necklace. The "cut-out triangle" top, Malak suggest, ‘can be worn under a loose white tank top for a casual layered look.’ The “tassel bikini” is inspired by the Egyptian belly dancer’s costume, ‘The bedlah.’ ‘When I first started working on the brand back in 2020, I was exploring production options in Italy and Sri Lanka. Fast forward 2 years, I meet my production consultant (shout out to you D, you’re my angel) who then introduces me to a family-owned atelier in the heart of Istanbul. They work with passion and good energy which is very important to me.’ Featuring intricate details; corsetry-like lacing, ruched effect and blend of transparencies, the swimsuits are around 60% handmade. For fabric, Malak wanted a texture and color that can be styled for different occasions, day to evening. ‘And that’s how I landed on a fabric house in Italy that had the exact type I was looking for.’ The entrepreneur is now focused on local expansion and has already started working on her upcoming collection. Launched about a month ago, MELKYANA is a message to embrace who we truly are with our traditions, our flaws, our voice, our freedom, our uniqueness.
Photo credits: Francesco Scotti
Creative Direction/Styling: Chantal Brocca
