Egyptian photographer and curator Farida Mahdy was inspired to document her grandmother's style after finding a collection of old photos. The portrait shows Mahdy and her grandmother, Ehsan Ouf, in her flat in Cairo, part of the project Grandma and the Fur Coat started in 2024. Mahdy lived with Ouf for four years while studying photography, spending time chatting and watching TV on the couch.
Project inspired by vintage photos
Mahdy discovered boxes of old photos while living with her grandmother. One favorite is a black-and-white engagement photo taken by her late grandfather, who loved photographing Ouf. Mahdy never knew him—he died in 2000, two months after she was born—but shares his love of photography. She wanted to continue his legacy and do something for her grandmother.
Grandmother's celebrity style
In the 1970s and 1980s, Ouf dressed like a celebrity, wearing brands such as Chanel and Dior. She had a collection of wigs and even matched the color of her cigarettes to her outfits. The dress Mahdy wears in the portrait is Ouf's engagement dress from 1971, one of the few items she still has from her youth. The fur coat Ouf wears was a gift from her late husband; Mahdy persuaded her not to sell it, partly inspiring the project.
Life after loss
After her grandfather's death, people stopped visiting Ouf, and her days became quiet and sometimes lonely. The series reflects on the passing of time and how life changes. Mahdy has started a second project, Ehsan, named after her grandmother, focusing on her as a 78-year-old woman aging gracefully.
A shared love of photography
Mahdy notes that no one had photographed her grandmother since her grandfather died, so she wanted to continue his legacy. Ouf sometimes tries to convince Mahdy to wear a wig when going out, suggesting she secretly dislikes Mahdy's curly hair. The project serves as both a tribute to Ouf's fashionable youth and a documentation of her current life.
