For Sarah Morris, the founder of luxury handbag label Métier, attention to detail is an art. Her made-in-Italy, designed-in-London leather goods are more engineered than crafted; handbags are modular, and travel bags are pocketed to perfection. This meticulous approach extends to all aspects of her life, including how she celebrates her birthdays.
For her milestone 40th birthday, Morris chose to embark on a journey along the River Nile. “Egypt has been somewhere I have longed to visit for so long now,” she shared. For her, travel is not just about leisure but also an essential source of inspiration. “I love to explore new places that I have never been to. I think it’s so important to see the world—let alone inspiring—so I try to go to several new places each year.”
Morris’s meticulously planned itinerary was crafted with the help of her friend Philomena Schurer-Merckoll, who had recently fallen in love with Egypt. The journey began with three nights in a private villa at Al Moudira in Luxor, where Morris and her friends explored temples, the Valley of the Kings and Queens, and local artisanal shops. Despite missing out on a hot air balloon ride due to windy conditions, the trip started smoothly.
The adventure continued aboard the Set Nefru, a beautifully restored five-person boat originally built in the 1940s for the Egyptian royal family. Cruising down the Nile, they made stops at Edfu and Silsileh, soaking in the serene vistas of the riverbanks. Morris carefully curated the group of friends for the journey, aiming for a dynamic mix of personalities. “I don’t have a group of friends, per se,” she says. “I have a lot of different friends from different places and parts of my life, so it’s really fun to bring people together and watch the magic happen.”
Morris fondly recalls the camaraderie among her fellow travelers, epic backgammon battles, and discovering a new favorite pastime: dominos. Unexpected highlights included a dare that led her to leap into the Nile. “Everyone decided to go swimming in the Nile… Erik [Maza] and I thought we would watch from afar, which was my plan until our captain dared me to jump off,” she says. “And without a second thought, I did!”
The final leg of the trip took them to Cairo, where they stayed at the historic Immobilia apartments. Days were spent visiting local boutiques, art galleries like Tintera, and the breathtaking Ibn Tulun Mosque. The climax of the trip was a visit to the pyramids on Morris’s birthday—a fitting finale to a major celebration.
As for what Morris packed in her very chic Métier bags? A vacation wardrobe that mirrored her everyday style—minimalist with a mix of neutrals, linens, and vintage pieces. “I was excited for the trip, but I don’t think I had any idea of how special an adventure awaited us,” she adds. “The art and architecture blew my mind. I cannot believe how inventive and resourceful people have been for so long.”
Find a series of snapshots from Morris’s Egyptian holiday, below.
Breakfast at Al Moudira.
Al Moudira.
Max Southwell, Philomena Schurer-Merckoll, Sam Wathen, me, and Erik Maza at Al Moudira.
Inside Al Moudira.
Zoë Zimmer touring the sandstone quarries at Silsileh.
