“Wekalet el Balah” (the market of dates), more commonly known as El Wekala is a landmark of Egyptian fashion history. Located in Bulaq, El Wekala has been a go-to for affordable clothing for decades. More recently, with thrifting becoming more popular, environmentalists started heading to El Wekala to conquer their biggest demon, fast fashion. Walking into El Wekala anytime in the week can be an overwhelming experience, with rows and rows of products, and multiple sellers scattered throughout the street. Not only that, when walking in El Wekala, odds are, one would be walking in a single line because it is heavily crowded. Although it is not the safest place during the pandemic, it is undeniable how curious people maneuver and interact with the space. On the streets, one can see multiple, usually young, people venturing through the crowded streets, armed with layers of facemasks and sanitizers, women clutching their purses, teens traveling in groups, and sellers negotiating prices with their clients: this is ‘El Wekala’. However, this isn’t how it always looked like, once upon a time ‘Wekalet El Balah’ was a market for dates and spare parts. A…
