Aql & Nafs is more than a brand. It is a bridge between worlds, cultures, and generations. Rooted in its name, Aql (reason عقل) and Nafs (soul, desire نفس), it reflects the duality at the heart of everything we do:
Aql stands for depth, mindful consumption, and the preservation of heritage, embodied in our hand-embroidered pieces, crafted slowly and intentionally in Afghanistan. Nafs reflects the desire for newness, self-expression, and fashion-forward living, inspired by how we dress today and the dynamic pace of modern life.
It is also the story of us: Afghan twin sisters blending heritage with a global perspective shaped by years of travel, study, and motherhood.
Our journey began in the skies, working as flight attendants while studying business. Traveling the world sharpened our eyes for beauty, culture, and connection, and deepened our desire to celebrate Afghan craftsmanship on a global stage.
The Afghan coat became our symbol and starting point. Historically crafted by nomadic artisans using natural shearling and passed through generations, this iconic piece has long stood at the intersection of culture and style. In the 1960s and 70s, it became a countercultural statement worn by legends like The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, and later David Bowie.
Especially in recent years, Afghan design elements have re-emerged across international fashion brands, from major labels to rising contemporary names. Often worn by global style icons and admired for their visual richness, they are still rarely acknowledged for their cultural origin or relevance.
With Aql & Nafs we bring the coat home, reconnected to its roots, retold through the hands of Afghan women.
Two Collections. One Purpose.
Each of our collections serves a different purpose together, they allow us to balance authenticity, design quality, and long-term social impact.
Our Heritage Collection is entirely handmade in Afghanistan by women artisans using traditional embroidery techniques passed down through generations. Each piece is a one-of-a-kind expression of culture and care. This collection allows us to create dignified, home-based work and preserve artistic knowledge at risk of being lost.
Due to limited access to materials and production capacities in Afghanistan, it is not feasible to produce every type of garment there especially designs requiring specific fabrics, modern cuts, or larger quantities. That’s why we introduced the Contemporary Collection, produced in small batches at a trusted partner workshop near the Mongolian border. This allows us to explore refined silhouettes, maintain consistent quality, and reduce waste through a made-to-order model.
Importantly, a portion of the proceeds from the Contemporary Collection directly supports our work in Afghanistan helping us build long-term income opportunities and reinvest in artisan-led projects rooted in heritage and dignity.
We see fashion as a tool to tell stories, shift narratives, and create opportunity. By investing in Afghan production and building lasting partnerships on the ground, we hope to help revive the country’s post-conflict artisan economy one increasingly outsourced to neighbouring regions.
With each vest, coat, and embroidery, we aim to open doors: for Afghan women to earn income from home, for traditional craftsmanship to remain alive, and for global audiences to see Afghanistan not through the lens of crisis, but through the richness of its culture, talent, and beauty.
From Kabul to London, from the local to the global. This is our thread of purpose.
