Egypt's most famous female carpenter is breaking the mold to build a global brand

“I love the texture of wood, and the random patterns within the grain,” says Maha Shoukry, a half-Egyptian, half-Italian entrepreneur who breaks the mold by being the only well-known female carpenter in Egypt.

Shoukry runs her own “made to measure” furniture factory in 6th of October City, a suburb of Cairo. Based on her nickname, Papousa, she launched her own brand, “ByPapousa,” two years ago, which has become popular for pieces that combine traditional elements with a contemporary look.

Before launching out on her own, Shoukry began casually designing items for friends, and then working for large-scale commercial properties. For ByPapousa, she now makes individual furniture pieces, including chairs and dining room tables, which are often made-to-order. “We are not an interior design company, but we take the time to understand each client and the tone they want to create within a specific space,” says Shoukry.

Egypt is already renowned for its classical furniture factories that produce a variety of traditional designs. Yet with a unique mix of old and new, Shoukry has built up a client list that includes families with vacation homes, expats living in Cairo, newlyweds, youngsters looking to update their bedrooms, and families updating the theme of their homes.

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Egypt’s most famous female carpenter is breaking the mold to build a global brand