Mark and Ellen never planned to start a fashion label. They were two artists in love—drawing, writing, creating. What they did share, from the start, was a desire to build something meaningful together. And Wrth was born.
“Inspiration comes from everyday things,” they say. Mark and Ellen began by designing the kind of clothes they wanted to wear—pieces that felt personal, timeless, and anchored in something deeper than trend. Their shared love for Egypt’s rich artistic legacy gave them their direction. The name itself was obvious the moment the idea was complete. Wrth means inheritance. And that’s exactly what it became.
Some of their favorite early memories were spent wandering museums and galleries across Cairo. They weren’t looking for inspiration, but in the process, they found a purpose.
“We were moved by the visual stories of our culture—many of them overlooked or fading—and we wanted to bring them back to life through fashion.”
A Wardrobe Built on Civilizations
Wrth’s earliest collections focused on three distinct historical eras—Ancient, Coptic, and Islamic Egypt. For Mark and Ellen, these weren’t abstract references. They were starting points for something personal. “Ancient, Coptic, and Islamic Egypt aren’t just historical periods—they’re living legacies that shaped who we are,” they say.
Each era was chosen for its unique artistic language. Ancient Egypt offered bold, symbolic forms. Coptic Egypt brought vivid, iconographic storytelling. Islamic Egypt introduced the sacred precision of geometry.
Wrth’s mission was clear: wear it, live with it, bring it into the streets. The result is clothing that feels both rooted and current. Familiar but unplaceable. “They’re not just inspiration—they’re the foundation of our story that is only starting.”
Art First. Always.
At the heart of Wrth’s design process is a quiet ritual. It starts with a single piece of art. “Then we think of a few styles to be our canvas,” they explain. “Then we argue a bit. Et voilà—the art is revived.”
They don’t over-intellectualize it. They don’t want to spoil the fun. But make no mistake—the work is meticulous. Their research process spans field trips, museums, archives, and history books. Each motif is sourced with care. Every detail has roots.
Keeping Heritage Alive—One Piece at a Time
For Mark and Ellen, starting Wrth wasn’t the hard part. Keeping it alive is the challenge. “We’re still struggling because we have a niche offering,” they admit. “Our collections are limited and our collectors are few since we are still small and unknown.”
And yet, this struggle is the work. “As long as we are going, we will always contribute to preserving and celebrating our heritage.”
Wrth is a brand with a monumental mission: to carry Egypt’s overlooked artistic legacies into the present moment and beyond.
What’s Next?
They won’t say much about what’s coming. “We’re not tied to eras,” they offer, carefully. “We will preserve our art through cultural influences, different regions, and art forms. Egypt’s history is so rich—we have amazing ideas for the next hundred years.”
A Mirror Worthy of Its Reflection
The legacy Wrth wants to leave is not a brand legacy. It’s a cultural one.
“The legacy we aim to leave is the legacy we were handed down by our ancestors. We hope to be a spectacular mirror that is worthy of reflecting the truly artistic cultures that form what it means to be Egyptian.”