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Luxor did not sleep last Sunday night, as more than 400 guests flocked from all over the globe to the city’s west bank to attend the celebration of the famous Italian fashion house Stefano Ricci’s golden jubilee against the backdrop of the masterpiece of ancient Egyptian architecture that is the Hatshepsut Temple, with its majestic portico backed by a chain of limestone cliffs overlooking the site of Deir Al-Bahari, reports Nevine El-Aref.
The temple was dramatically lit while models smoothly descended its outer staircase wearing a series of superb evening outfits composed of black trousers and sumptuous jackets woven from golden silk threads. These were followed by tuxedos, double-breasted blazers, and gold two-button jackets cut from shimmering blue or copper brocade.
Casual outfits had their own share in the show, like ultra-soft white knit ensembles with openwork knits and cardigans. Cashmere and braided sweaters as well as embroidered tracksuits were also on show, along with suede and crocodile jackets. Elegant and sporty outfits in khaki or beige canvas suits with royal blue lining were also in the show.
Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli opened the ceremony by singing pieces from Verdi’s opera Aida, set in ancient Egypt. Two singers joined the show, with Bocelli singing a duet with his son Matteo and the Swedish-Italian soprano Susanna Rigacci, who performed a song from the film Once Upon a Time in the West by Sergio Leone, composed by Italian composer Ennio Morricone, with whom she had worked for a long time.
“Organising my fashion show at the Hatshepsut Temple is a dream come true,” said Ricci, founder of the Italian luxury house, adding that “a man’s life is full of dreams, and, in these hours, I am sure that we lived a unique experience together.”
He said that choosing the Hatshepsut Temple to celebrate the 50th anniversary of his brand in Luxor, the ancient Thebes, had been a personal ambition. Twenty years ago when Ricci visited ancient Thebes for the first time, he was so fascinated that he decided to dedicate a book to it.
“One night, I dreamed about creating something important in the presence of the architectural and artistic wonders here. Today that dream is taking shape,” he said.
“For the first time in history, the Hatshepsut Temple became an exquisite stage. Having received the privileged authorisation from the Egyptian government to put on the show is a source of pride for me. It also brings forth a sense of responsibility, respect and attention towards these sacred places,” Ricci said.
Former minister of antiquities Zahi Hawass described the celebration as another opportunity to highlight the diversity of Egypt’s tourist destinations, attracting the attention of the whole world.
The celebration attracted many people from all over the world to come to Luxor. All the hotels in Luxor were fully booked for the show, and Hawass delivered a lecture to the attendees on the recent discoveries made in the region.
Amr Al-Kadi, CEO of the Egypt Tourism Authority, told Al-Ahram Weekly that the event came within the framework of the ministry’s new branding strategy carried out by a British-Canadian consortium to show potential visitors the diversity of experiences that Egypt has to offer as a rich and diverse tourism destination.
It says that one trip is not enough, and it will continue to show off Egypt’s magnificent monuments and archaeological sites, as well as highlight its contemporary culture such as the arts, film, music, fashion, and sports and show visitors an artistic and creative side of Egypt that is thriving, he said.
The strategy intends to show the unique character of Egypt as warm, vibrant, and youthful and to clearly position Egypt as an all-year-round destination blessed with wonderful weather.
“This has been implemented through organising or hosting several diverse events in Egypt, among them the Ely Saab fashion show previously held in Abdine Palace in Cairo and now the Ricci golden jubilee celebration in Luxor. Later this year in December, the French fashion house Christian Dior is to organise a fashion show on the Giza Plateau,” Al-Kadi said, adding that the Ricci celebration was broadcast live on the ETA’s social media platforms.
Stefano Ricci is a luxury fashion and lifestyle company for men’s clothing founded by the Florentine designer Stefani Ricci. The brand is globally recognised as an expression of quality in the sphere of luxury lifestyle brands and menswear.
*A version of this article appears in print in the 13 October, 2022 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly.
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