Egyptian photographer and curator Farida Mahdy has created a heartfelt project titled 'Grandma and the Fur Coat,' which she started in 2024. The series documents the style and life of her grandmother, Ehsan Ouf, an 78-year-old woman living in Cairo. The project was inspired by a collection of old photos Mahdy discovered while living with her grandmother for four years during her photography studies.
One of the central images shows Mahdy and her grandmother together on the couch where they spent hours chatting and watching TV. Mahdy wears her grandmother's engagement dress from 1971, one of the few remaining items from Ouf's youth. Ouf herself wears a fur coat given by her late husband, which Mahdy persuaded her not to sell. This coat became a symbol of the project's focus on preserving memories.
A Celebrity Style in the 70s and 80s
In her prime, Ehsan Ouf dressed like a celebrity, wearing brands such as Chanel and Dior. She owned a collection of wigs and even matched the color of her cigarettes to her outfits. Mahdy notes that her grandmother sometimes tries to convince her to wear a wig, hinting that she secretly dislikes Mahdy's curly hair. The project aims to highlight Ouf's unique fashion sense and the legacy of her style.
Mahdy also discovered black and white photographs taken on the day Ouf got engaged, many captured by her late grandfather. He loved photographing Ouf and passed away in 2000, two months after Mahdy was born. Despite never knowing him, Mahdy shares his passion for photography and wanted to continue his legacy by photographing her grandmother, who had not been photographed since his death.
Reflecting on Time and Change
After her grandfather's death, the flat that once hosted family and friends became quiet and sometimes lonely for Ouf. The project 'Grandma and the Fur Coat' serves as both a tribute to her fashionable past and a reflection on the passing of time and how life changes. Mahdy has also started a second project, 'Ehsan,' named after her grandmother, which focuses on who she is now: an aging woman growing old gracefully.
Farida Mahdy is a photographer, assistant curator, and visual artist from Egypt. Her work explores personal narratives and cultural heritage. More of her projects can be seen on her Instagram page.
