‘Brush It Under the Rug’ exhibition at Kahhal1871

At Cairo Design Week 2025, KAHHAL1871 showcases a series of rugs created from designers’ own lived experiences.

At Cairo Design Week 2025, KAHHAL1871 debuts ‘Brush It Under the Rug’ in the historic 1908 Courtyard in Heliopolis. The exhibition brings together seven designers who translate personal themes—fear, identity, pressure, resilience, and vulnerability—into bespoke hand-knotted rugs produced with the KAHHAL1871 atelier.

The concept is anchored by a single question: What do we create when we turn our truth into form? Each designer responds with a distinct visual approach, ranging from minimal compositions to bold, colour-driven pieces. Some works address imposter syndrome or cultural duality, while others experiment with tension and release through pattern and form.

The visitor experience follows a clear sequence:
• A confessional entry displaying anonymously submitted truths
• Suspended pavilions that offer mirrored interpretations of each rug
• A weaving room, where artisans demonstrate the hand-knotting process and invite audience participation
• A final gallery featuring the completed works and a printed Book of Narratives outlining the stories behind them

As KAHHAL1871 marks more than 150 years of craftsmanship, the exhibition reflects the brand’s broader shift from traditional rug making toward contemporary cultural storytelling. It highlights the house’s goal of connecting heritage techniques with relevant, introspective design narratives.