This is the story of Sara Onsi, the beating heart of the namesake brand, who managed to rock the female universe with her style and creativity: her success rests on her unlimited passion, painstaking care for product design, sheer devotion to her job and a good share of pragmatic sense.
The story began in Cairo, the city where Sara was born in 1988, her love for fashion grew up with her, and immediately after finishing her university studies in business, her passion and determination to turn her life around brought her to follow her dream with great obstinacy. She always dreamt to dress all the women in the world. She made her debut in fashion and started studying fashion design.
With her signature in every piece she crafts, from the cut that embraces the body shape with confidence, to the adornments including handmade embroidery, lace and cut-outs that are carefully crafted to achieve a strong silhouette.
In 2015 the designer opened a small atelier where she began to give shape to her ideas and fashion her first creations. In 2016 she launched her first Couture collection In New York Fashion Week, an experience to always remember, the first runway show in one of the big four.
By the end of 2016, ONSI’s team moved to a bigger atelier where their bridal masterpieces are being crafted every day. In 2017 the designer decides to make her debut on the runway during the London Fashion Week, with Spring Summer 2018 collection, an event improving, even more, the brand image and notoriety.
In 2018 it was the designer’s first hit to Paris Fashion Week, The strong rise in the international panorama has allowed the brand to be one of the most recognized brands in her country and the Middle East, and open doors to start placing her pieces in the international shops.
Sneek-peak from our Love&LOBBY shooting, in collaboration with Al Ismaelia and MO4Network.
Thanks to the stylistic evolution of the brand and the always-careful attention to details, Sara Onsi has become one of the most required brands by the Star System, dressing Egyptian and middle eastern celebrities In every international event, you can easily spot Onsi’s statement gown.
In 2019, the brand started more expansions, by launching the Pret A Porter niche line “ONSI”, in the brand’s first runway show in her home country, another segment hitting the Middle eastern markets powerfully.
In February 2020, the designer celebrated her debut on the runway during Milan Fashion Week, being the 4th one of the big four, and the first Egyptian Designer to hit Milan Fashion Week, it was one of her very emotional moments, to reach there with a collection that was speaking out loud, speaking out her vision and her identity.
“We live in a world where diversity should be celebrated in full glory. To me, fashion is not only an expression of style, it’s an identity language, a channel for people to express cultures: “the more diverse, the better” said Onsi, sharing about the inspiration source behind her collection.
Sara’s team was quite an inspiration, itself: “When you see women from Egypt, Syria or India, each lady with a stand-alone identity, all working together to give a soul to these beautifully embroidered masterpieces, you simply what to share it with the world. Within my crew of very talented people, one can truly see what the harmony within diversity truly means. The gowns eventually just translated this rich, peaceful vibe”, said the designer.
WHAT WOULD MAKE YOUR SOUL SING? WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY?
When I achieve things people consider impossible.
A CHILDHOOD STORY THAT ANNOUNCED THE CREATIVE PERSON YOU ARE TODAY
It was when I created a gown for my Barbie doll with a newspaper.
BEST CONTEXT EVER FOR INSPIRATION WAS
Listening to my intuition, deciding to leave the corporate life and starting my fashion business.
THE PROJECT YOU LOVED MOST
Every collection I create is always my favorite until I create the other one. My collection at the New York fashion week will always remain one of the closest projects to my heart because it was my first runway collection.
THE PROJECT OTHERS LOVED MOST
My collection at the Milan Fashion Week was one of my creations that left a remarkable imprint.
THE BEST THING ABOUT EGYPTIAN CREATIVITY IS
It can rise from the ashes. It’s very resourceful, although resources are scarce.
BEST STATEMENT OF EGYPTIAN HUMOR
هو قالك فين ؟ – Its always when you are lost, and ask someone in the street about the directions, HAHAHHAHA!
ADVICE FOR INTERNATIONAL HEADHUNTERS, RELATED TO EGYPTIAN CREATIVES:
They are very talented, but very often they don’t know it. You need to acknowledge their talent and you will receive a consistent reward.
BEST PLACE IN CAIRO
Coptic Cairo, in the old town.
BEST PLACE IN EGYPT
Siwa Oasis, for sure!
MOST DISTURBING CLICHÉ ABOUT EGYPT, IN THE MEDIA OUTLETS OF THE WORLD IS
Women that are not empowered enough. I am the living proof to be an accomplished professional, while being a woman. And what’s more to it, I am building my business alongside my husband, who is incredibly supportive.
EGYPT SHOULD BE KNOWN FOR:
Its versatile talent.
YOUR VIEWS ON SPIRITUALITY
Spirituality is part of my identity. I am a Muslim, I decided to have my head covered and it was surprising when this became a sort of fashion statement.
YOUR VIEWS ON MONEY
A necessary tool to express one’s creativity up to its potential.
AN INSPIRATION SOURCE YOU RECOMMEND FOR A YOUNG CREATIVE
Digg for culture. There is richness, inspiration and wisdom in every culture of the world. Explore those less known and you will be rewarded.
AN EGYPT BASED FEMALE TALENT THAT DESERVES TO BE PROMOTED AT INTERNATIONAL LEVEL, AS EXPONENT OF LOCAL CREATIVE SPIRIT
Shosha abou El Kheir, an Egyptian Designer with a mission of beautifing the egyptian soul, mind and body.
If you want to be kept up to date with Sara Onsi’s work, check her out now on Instagram.