The Medieval (But Make It MENA) Edit

CairoScene

6 hours ago

The trend cycle is dead. Long live medieval fashion.
Jul 12, 2025
Fashion is cyclical, but some things are just timeless. While the West looked to Tudors and corsets, the Arab world had already perfected the art of regal dressing centuries earlier. From Abbasid courts to Andalusian gardens, fashion wasn't ornamental, it was architectural. Kaftans with sweeping sleeves, golden embroidery as dense as scripture, leather flats molded for movement, musk oils that didn't just scent the body, but mingled with it, skin and scent indistinguishable.
At the end of the first quarter of the 21st century, we've hit a snag in the fashion road. The trend wheel is imploding, taste fatigue is rampant, and the desire for something timeless and established is more prevalent than ever. People want the kind of clothing that speaks in undyed cotton, rich velvety hues, hand-stitched hems, and calligraphy-etched jewellery; something that feels human, in its design and execution.
Bardcore is booming on YouTube, Chappell Roan is serving Joan of Arc in armour, and your algorithm is thirsting for knit bonnets and bloomer-style shorts. But this isn't some micro-trend debauchery wreaking havoc on your for-you page, it's medieval, and it's sticking around. Because if men's opinions are going medieval, why shouldn't fashion?
In this edition of SceneStyled, we're going back to basics, the 11th-century-Fatimid-dynasty-kind of basics. Think: silk kaftans as statement outerwear, chainmail-inspired bags, gold filigree earrings, leather soles for modern ground, and perfume oil pens perfect for that medieval pouch of yours. Because time isn't real. But taste? Taste endures. Moroccan Touch | Jouri Kaftan
This 100% silk velvet kaftan is the epitome of opulence. Rich in texture, deep in hue, and finished with a braided sfifa neckline, this is the perfect piece for wandering bare foot through your palatial garden. Azza Fahmy | Gold Blessings Chain Ring
Azza Fahmy knows how to re-embellish history. In this 18kt gold ring, inscribed with 'مودة' (Endearment), 'رحمة' (Mercy), 'بركة' (Blessings), intricacy leads and handcraft take the spotlight. Azza Fahmy | Crescent Chandelier Earrings
Crafted in Filigree wirework, these earrings incorporate centuries of symbolism in the swaying crescent moon and stars. Finished with an inscription with 'مودة', they encapsulate the simple intricacy of medieval jewellery. Shahira Lasheen | Ateeq Collection Long White Crepe Dress
This sculpted black bustier and flowing slitted skirt cut a striking silhouette. Complete with hand-crafted buttons and intricate embroidery, it's a piece that speaks with a soft power, rooted in heritage and human artistry. Akaoui | Antique Finish Filigree Ring
Intricate handcraft finds its proudest celebration in this Filigree ring. Made with traditional Italian craftsmanship, this piece is rooted in tradition and timelessness. Dôen | Ischia Dress
Medieval dress gets an unwrapping in this Ischia dress. Lightweight and highly versatile, with a functional centre tie and an adjustable waist tie on a smocked bodice, this dress exudes the pragmatism medieval fashion is rooted in. Double-puffed sleeves, a scoop neckline, and ankle-grazing A-line skirt cultivate a fairytale-esque silhouette, or layer with a sweeping kaftan for the full medieval effect. Okhtein | Mini Dome Embossed Bag
Every medieval muse needs her pouch, and this mini dome embossed bag from Okhtein is close enough. Maya Fragrances | Base Perfume Oil
This base perfume oil from Maya Fragrances follows the same philosophy as its medieval perfume predecessors: less is more. Amber, musk, and sandalwood make up this intoxicating concoction, which works with your body chemistry and intertwines with your natural scent. In medieval times, even sweat smelt like luxury. Dima Ayad | Knitted Metallic V Neck
A decadent take on the classic kaftan, this metallic kaftan from Dima Ayad appears like liquid gold in motion in the sunlight. Structured but also fluid, it's illusive and deceptive: the perfect piece for myth-making . Ettika | Gold Mesh Shoulder Bag
Chainmail has always remained in fashion. While it shimmers down red carpets as translucent mini-dresses, this mesh shoulder bag offers a more utilitarian twist on medieval armour-core. It's one of the few pieces you could actually take into battle.