Coming from a design school background, Lamis was always torn between various design fields, such as graphic design, product design, character design, illustration, book design and storytelling.
She’s always loved experimenting and not limiting herself to one style or technique, as every story and every feeling should have its own unique interpretation.
Having been always inspired by culture, folklore, twisted humor, unfortunate tales, myths, and stories that had been forgotten or neglected, Lamis was lead by all of these elements to find her passion for doll making. It gave her the chance to combine all her interests and skills that she had learned and will continue to learn, which in return enhanced the experience of the viewer by layering all those aspects of design, from
storytelling to packaging.
WHAT WOULD MAKE YOUR SOUL SING? WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY?
Nature makes me happy. It grounds me and inspires me. It really makes it clear what really matter and living in a crowded city with no green I always find myself lost and confused in the ugliness.

A CHILDHOOD STORY THAT ANNOUNCED THE CREATIVE PERSON YOU ARE TODAY
I was the youngest of 3 siblings my mother was often busy with my older sibling’s school work so I was left alone most of the time to play and wander around in the house with no supervision, I was a very curious child and that gave me the freedom to play in all the places that we are not allowed too and go in my mother’s closet and drawers and dig hidden stuff out just like digging heading treasures, my curiosity is definitely what makes me creative and open new doors for inspiration. Also, my mother encouraged us to draw on the walls and never minded it, so I would scribble all over the walls in the house, balcony, and everywhere I could reach.

BEST CONTEXT EVER FOR INSPIRATION WAS
The best context for inspiration regarding my doll making was when my professor Ahmad Saqfalhait introduced me to the work of MO Rusan amazing Antar Wu Abla dolls. I was amazed and I started asking all these questions about the creation and to know what he did, if he had some special training regarding doll making, but he just did it. He really inspired me to just do it too. In my head, I was waiting and saying “oh, I need to study sculpting first or take a workshop about this or that”. But this was the biggest and best push in my life to just start and don’t think about it too much.
THE PROJECT YOU LOVED MOST
The project I love the most is ”In the city of the dead”, which is a collection of stories of people living in the graveyard. And it’s one of the dearest projects to me, having this chance to sit and listen to those beautiful people opening up to me and tell me their stories is defiantly the most rewarding project I ever did. Even though I dedicate most of my time now living in my own small fantasy realms and creating those creatures, it’s definitely close to my heart till now.



THE PROJECT OTHERS LOVED MOST
Project others love the most my two dolls “Abo Regal Maslokha” & “Omna El Ghola”. Being the most famous characters in our culture, people were very excited to see them and read their stories.
THE BEST THING ABOUT EGYPTIAN CREATIVITY IS
Its diversity and authenticity.
ADVICE FOR INTERNATIONAL HEADHUNTERS, RELATED TO EGYPTIAN CREATIVES
I guess my advice would be to keep digging and dig deep … there’s a lot of creative amazing artists that I hear about and don’t even have anything on social media.
BEST PLACE IN EGYPT
Siwa Oasis.
EGYPT SHOULD BE KNOWN FOR
For all the beautiful places and their historical art.
YOUR VIEWS ON SPIRITUALITY
There is this poem by Rainer Maria Rilke that sums up my views on spirituality it says
God speaks to each of us as he makes us,
then walks with us silently out of the night.
These are the words we dimly hear:
You, sent out beyond your recall,
go to the limits of your longing.
Embody me.
Flare up like a flame
and make big shadows I can move in.
Let everything happen to you: beauty and terror.
Just keep going. No feeling is final.
Don’t let yourself lose me.
Nearby is the country they call life.
You will know it by its seriousness.
Give me your hand.
YOUR VIEWS ON MONEY
I hate money and how everything needs money especially living in a country where to get basic human rights like good education and healthcare you need a “LOT” of money. Money is very important in these times we live in.
AN INSPIRATION SOURCE YOU RECOMMEND FOR A YOUNG CREATIVE
All the Studio Ghibli movies – Junji ito – Doaa Eladl – The Ana collection – Susanna Bauer – Chris Sickels

AN EGYPT BASED FEMALE TALENT THAT DESERVES TO BE PROMOTED AT INTERNATIONAL LEVEL, AS EXPONENT OF LOCAL CREATIVE SPIRIT
Aya El Sayed, she is a visual artist, her work is very emotional and personal, she uses different mediums to convey these beautiful raw emotions into amazing projects.
If you are interested in seeing more of Lamis’ dolls, check out her Etsy store, here.