The renowned masked Animal Ball, which is presented by the Elephant Family and Tintra Foundation, is returning to London this year after a three-year absence, just in time to mark the 20th anniversary of the Elephant Family. The event, which will take place on June 28, 2023, at Lancaster House, aims to raise funds for South Asian conservation programs, with each design house involved in the event having picked a creature from the Animal Kingdom to serve as inspiration for a sustainable custom mask.
Egyptian fine jewellery house, Azza Fahmy’s chosen animal is the Hawksbill Sea Turtle. The mask designed from Sterling Silver and semi-precious stones encapsulates the beauty of this mesmerizing creature that lives deep within the colourful corals of Egypt’s Red Sea, bringing the underwater kaleidoscope to life.
The turtle’s carapace, adorned with intricate patterns and textures, becomes the inspiration for this mask. One side features the starfish, another threatened aquatic creature, combining it perfectly with the turtle as they would in the ocean. The opposite side draws inspiration from Azza Fahmy’s 2019 collection and pays homage to the rich heritage and timeless beauty of the Mamluk era, the pinnacle of the Renaissance period in Islamic history, all the while interweaving smaller turtles delicately into the design.
Amina Ghali, Head Designer, Azza Fahmy Jewellery says…”My mother has always adored turtles; in fact, she has dozens of them around her house. Also, my sister and I love diving, so we are fascinated by all sea creatures, particularly turtles. Therefore, it made perfect sense for us to draw inspiration from the sea when designing this mask. We are thrilled to be a part of this year’s Animal Ball, as it gives us an opportunity to contribute to the conservation of endangered animals while also showcasing our creativity in a brand new way!”.
