In a design deeply rooted in Egyptian identity and heritage, Egypt’s First Daughter, Aya El-Sisi, appeared alongside her family at the historic opening of the country’s new Strategic Command Headquarters, known as “The Octagon”, in the New Administrative Capital.

Aya El-Sisi delivered one of her most memorable style moments in a bespoke Maram Borhan creation. Featuring a clean silhouette, structured shoulders, and delicate gold embellishments across the bodice and neckline, the look was completed with a matching draped headscarf. 

For Maram Borhan, sharing the photos of Aya El-Sisi at the Octagon opening on her Instagram before boarding a five-hour flight without internet access became an unexpectedly surreal moment. Completely disconnected from the digital world, she had no anticipation of the wave that would follow. It was only upon landing and reconnecting her phone that the scale of the response became clear, with messages pouring in: “You’re everywhere”, “You’re trending”, and “Congratulations”.

What moved her most, she reflected, was not only the visibility but the way audiences engaged with the symbolism behind the design.

Speaking exclusively to Villa88 – the Egyptian designer, who established her namesake couture house in 2017, revealed the story behind her collaboration with Egypt’s First Daughter, Aya El-Sisi, a look that has since captured widespread attention across social media.

As for Aya El-Sisi and Maram Borhan, this was not their first collaboration. Having dressed the first daughter on several previous occasions, the designer has earned her trust over the years. For an event as significant as the opening of the Octagon headquarters, Aya once again entrusted Maram Borhan with creating a bespoke design worthy of the historic occasion.

“I felt a great sense of responsibility, knowing that every detail would contribute to a moment of national importance,” Maram tells Villa88 exclusively. “From the very beginning, my goal was to create a design that felt timeless, elegant, and deeply rooted in Egyptian identity.”

Details of Egypt’s First Daughter Aya El-Sisi’s Look at the Octagon Opening Ceremony

The design carried distinctive details inspired by Egypt’s rich cultural legacy, interpreted through Maram Borhan’s modern design language. Maram envisioned a white silhouette adorned with intricate gold embroidery, creating a look that embodied quiet strength, timeless elegance, and refined sophistication.

The dress featured a hand-embroidered cuff inscribed in hieroglyphs with the message: “In her eyes, a homeland; in her heart, history; and her heart is made of gold.” A hidden message that served as Maram Borhan’s personal tribute to Egypt. “I love incorporating details that aren’t immediately visible but tell a deeper story,” she shared.

Maram revealed that gown drew inspiration from the architectural symmetry of Ancient Egyptian temples, with clean lines that symbolised balance, resilience, and enduring beauty. Its gold embroidery served as a tribute to Egypt’s royal legacy, a colour synonymous with the sun, eternity, and the brilliance of one of history’s greatest civilisations.

“I wanted the design to speak softly yet leave a lasting impression,” Maram explains. “It was important to me that it reflected both the dignity of the occasion and the richness of Egyptian culture in a way that felt modern and timeless.”

Aya El-Sisi and Maram Borhan approached the look with a shared creative vision for the look: refined, timeless, and effortlessly elegant. It was never about making a loud statement, but rather about crafting a design defined by presence, grace, and meaning.

At the heart of the collaboration was a sense of trust that shaped the entire process. “She gives me the freedom to interpret each occasion through my own design language, and that trust allows for a very natural creative process,” Maram explained.

From the outset, Maram understood the significance of the occasion, approaching the design with a clear intention to create a look that felt timeless, elegant, and deeply rooted in Egyptian identity. The result was a piece that balanced symbolism with restraint, quiet in its expression, yet powerful in its presence.