Let me start by saying: ya gamaa3a, I was on Egyptian television! Like, actual cameras, lights, mics… the whole shebang. Soonaboosh, this little idea that started because I couldn’t find anything that felt like us, got featured on "Sirr El Hekaya" (سر الحكاية) with the incredible @Amira Elnaggar.
It was surreal and nerve-wracking, but also so much fun. And it was something I’ll never forget.
From a Gap to a Hekaya
When I created Soonaboosh, it wasn’t just about cool designs or funny phrases. It came from that feeling of searching for something that reflects who we are…and realizing it just doesn’t exist.
I wanted clothes that spoke our language - that mixed Arabic and English the way we do in real life, that said things like محلاها عيشة الحرية, Tannish and عيش اللحظة وانسى الدنيا not because they’re trendy, but because they mean something to us.
So to be invited to sit down with Amira on national TV and share that story? That was wild. I still can't believe it actually happened.
My Kids Were in the Studio (aka the Best Part)
I brought my kids with me to the taping, and I think that made the whole experience even more emotional.
They were sitting in the control room, all wide-eyed and excited, probably wondering if this meant their mama was famous now. One of them whispered, mid-interview: "momken shawerma when we leave?"
Iconic.
But real talk: seeing them there reminded me exactly why I do this. I want them to grow up feeling proud of where they come from. To see Arabic not just in textbooks or on TV, but on clothes, on websites, on runways...in the world. Loud and proud.
Shukran, Amira!
Amira Elnaggar was amazing. So warm, curious, and genuinely passionate about what Soonaboosh is all about. We talked about identity, fashion, language, and why something as simple as a t-shirt can carry a whole culture. She asked all the right questions and gave me space to speak from the heart.
I left that studio feeling seen. Not just as a founder or designer, but as an Egyptian who’s trying to do something a little different. A little bold. A little soonabooshy.
And Now?
Now we keep going.
More shirts, more stories, more moments that make people laugh, connect, and say "da ana ba2ool keda 3alatool!"
Being on TV was a dream. But it’s just one chapter. This brand, this hekaya, is still being written. And I’m so grateful you’re part of it.
If you missed the interview, you can watch it right here!
And in case you're wondering, yes…we absolutely got shawerma after.
With love and pride
Maha...aka Mama Boosh :)