R’Kan Edition Launches Functional Art Concept Store in Sheikh Zayed

R’kan Edition, the functional art gallery founded by designer Rania Fahmy, has launched a brand new concept store at Capital Promenade in Sheikh Zayed, bringing a world of brilliant ideas and breathtaking aesthetics into its multi-coloured space. Through its many joint design ventures with artists, R’kan Edition gathered creatives across the design industry to craft its immersive experience. The store’s front yard featured outdoor furniture by Egyptian brands that have been adapted by the functional art gallery, exploring new layers to their colour and form. Inside the two-storey space, vibrant paintings were placed atop sculptural furniture shaped by Egyptian artists, designers and manufacturers.

Within carefully curated display zones, hand-shaped stools by Egyptian visual artist Hady Boraey exuded joy by hosting figurines that embodied the sense of ecstasy, joining Brazilian artist Caroline de Souza’s gold coated wooden chairs ‘Hello’ in presenting a fictional yet relatable narrative of two separated strangers, with one reaching out to the other by handing a blue balloon - an unmistakable sign of young love.Every corner of the store’s first floor was decorated with one-of-a-kind furniture pieces placed underneath bespoke crystal chandeliers by Crystal Asfour, from wooden sofas with intimately shaped backrests and piano-inspired velvet stools manufactured by Nadim Group (who crafted a number of R’kan designs) to Mohamed Abla’s intricate brass and glass side tables that rest underneath crystal birds that complemented its movement.

Indulging these designs, visitors were led to Kesmat Edition Cafe’s delectable input to the concept store. Marked by the words ‘Eat More Art’, it presented guests with the chance of sipping on coffee and dining on apple and cinnamon soft cake while looking upon the eye-popping decorations. Hinting at the pure joy that awaits on the second floor, the staircase was painted by Egyptian artist Amr Sherif from its steps to the wall. The whimsical canvass was marked by ‘Reach’ appliques, which were made by Decorative Glass to offer reassurement with their embracing shapes.

Mohamed Fathy, the art director behind Fathy Mahmoud (Egyptian Porcelain), showcased his brand’s technical ability to give tableware innovative designs in compelling colourways.

Adjacent to that is the GLC Paints open showroom, where they present the crisp visuals in technicolour, along with origami creations by Jimmy Gami that instil a Christmas spirit in the space, while R’kan’s signature marble ‘Him & Her’ trays maintain the gallery’s theme of intimacy.

Facing the plethora of hues is Plume, the luxury cushions and fabrics brand has embarked on its first retail experience after supplying wholesale comfort to a variety of renowned hospitality names. Meanwhile, the terrace lounge hosted more Decorative Glass reflective creations, while the ‘chairs challenge’ was held in homage to a leading figure in the Egyptian design scene.

Innovative in their shape, fun in colour and immaculate in their craftsmanship, a plethora of chairs designed by renowned and up-and-coming Egyptian product designers, interior designers and architects were displayed as a tribute to the late Ahmed Helmy Abdelhadi, CEO of Meuble El Chark, who dedicated his life to perfecting the craft of this everyday product.

The joyful and heartfelt chairs were placed right outside a pop-up store hosting artistic, collectable pieces such as kaleidoscopic stools by Egyptian artist Rania El Batal and a signature R’kan undulating table shaped after the natural form of trees.

Seeking to create a dialogue between art and furniture, R’kan Edition’s collaborative products as well as Fahmy’s signature designs looked to reinvent the way we see objects and use them. Immaculately crafted pieces come with compelling stories, engaging forms and abstract figures sprouting out of them told human stories, acting as a figurative reflection of our emotions and passions.