Malaika Linens
Design and Product Development
Role: Product Designer & Development Coordinator
Company: Malaika Linens Cairo
Project type: Homeware design and prototype development
Tools: Adobe Creative Suite, screen-printing, embroidery, organization skills
Project Year: 2021
Deliverables:
Designed and prototyped the Summer collection from concept to finished product
Managed timelines across a multi-artisan production process
Developed inventory and styled products for the final mood shoot
Objective:
To design a Summer homeware collection inspired by the unique region of Aswan in Southern Egypt, collaborating with local artisans to celebrate Egyptian heritage and craftsmanship.
About:
Malaika Linens is an Egyptian homeware brand deeply rooted in Egyptian heritage, known for their iconic hand-embroidered Egyptian cotton bedding. Collaborating closely with local artisans, Malaika celebrates and preserves traditional craftsmanship through their Threads of Hope initiative, a nonprofit employing Egyptian women and Palestinian refugees whose artistry brings the brand's designs to life.
I joined the team as a Product Designer and Development Coordinator for the Summer 2021 collection, working across design, production, and quality control to bring the Summer collection to life.
My mentor, Goya Gallagher, Malaika's co-founder, has since launched ANUT Cairo, a brand celebrating Egypt's cultural heritage through artisan-made homewares, available on Goodee and Moda Operandi.
Problem Space:
The main challenge was designing a collection rooted in Nubian cultural heritage while managing a multi-artisan production process within budget and timeline constraints, ensuring each product met Malaika's high standards of hand craftsmanship without compromising authenticity.
Research:
I immersed myself in the rich traditions of Nubian culture and crafts, partnering with local artisans to bring our designs to life. I participated in artisan selection visits, attended fairs, visited ateliers, and hosted makers at the factory to evaluate their techniques and find the right collaborators for the collection.
Solution:
I was responsible for refining existing designs and creating new products from scratch, developing prototypes for every item in the collection while meeting timeframes and budget requirements. This required working closely with fabricators at every stage of production — from pattern making and screen printing to embroidery, ironing, and final quality control.
To streamline the process, I helped implement a structured artisan vetting system — establishing clear criteria around quality standards, craftsmanship techniques, and reliability. This created a more efficient workflow and ensured sufficient time for prototyping and meeting deadlines.
What I valued most was the cross-departmental collaboration. As a designer, I oversaw the full journey from initial concept to finalized design to finished product, ensuring every step was executed to the highest standard.
Key Achievements:
Designed and prototyped a full Summer homeware collection inspired by Aswan's Nubian heritage, managing every stage from the initial idea to the final product while staying within budget.
Implemented a structured artisan vetting system with clear criteria for quality, technique, and reliability, improving efficiency across the prototype phase.
Contributed to Malaika's Threads of Hope initiative, supporting Egyptian women and Palestinian refugee artisans through fair, skills-based employment.
Improving my process:
Setting more realistic deadlines and building buffer time into the production schedule would significantly reduce pressure and allow more space for iteration. Narrowing down the number of collaborators per collection earlier in the process would also help maintain focus and streamline execution.
One thing the team genuinely excelled at was collaboration. Working with people who believed deeply in the value of their craft and were willing to go above and beyond made the entire process more rewarding. That spirit of shared ownership and accountability is something I carry into every project I work on.