I was contacted a few months ago to take part of an amazing International Women's Forum Conference in Rabat. The theme of the conference was "Morocco and the future of the Arab world." About 800 women came from all over the world to be a part of this conference. You can imagine what an honor it was for me when I was contacted to organize a fashion show as part 1 of the cultural journey into the art and soul of Morocco.
I was nervous because I had 3 months to organize a show that portrayed the history of the Moroccan Caftan. Starting from older caftans to the newer more modern ones. I was also nervous because I am specialized in gandouras rather than Caftans but it was a challenge I was willing to accept, especially that it touched a topic that I was passionate about: women's rights. I got the opportunity to work with extraordinary people and the chance to meet so many interesting, committed, and energetic women and for that I am eternally grateful.
The event also gave me the opportunity to learn a lot more about the history of the Caftan. I learned that the development of the caftan can be connected to Morocco’s geographical location
at the crossroads of the world. It was the last stop of many traders from the
orient and therefore, became the site of many important cultural
transformations.
Morocco also became the home of
embroidery due to the Andalusian movement, Turkish harems, and Mediterranean
cultural influences.
The legendary Ziryab is the most prominent contributor to the evolution of the caftan. When he came to Morocco from Baghdad, he brought with him the exuberant Abbassid way of life. When Ziryab introduced luxury to Moroccan costumes. Under his influence, costumes took on greater ampler. He introduced the luxury and complexity of oriental costumes and the use of Persian and Turkish light fabrics in the Moroccan caftan.
All of these elements are visible in what became the
traditional caftan. By the 15th century, people were wearing a
costume that was of eastern origin with characteristics of Turkish, Persian,
and other Asian countries’ traditional dress. I had a very difficult time finding the history of the Caftan, probably due to these multiple
influences.
My father once told me in
Morocco, it is widely believed that mothers are responsible for transmitting
culture from one generation to the next. I am eternally grateful and proud that
my mother passed on her rich cultural heritage to me. The Moroccan Caftan...what it means to us, how it communicates who we are, and how it comes to life through intricate design. My fashion show takes a closer look at this emblem of
Moroccan fashion and I hope that I have done it justice in the portrayal of its beauty.
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| Backstage and Rehearsals |
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| Brief history of the Caftan |
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| My beautiful team |
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| This caftan is over 60 years old. It belongs to my mother. |
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"Labssa Lkibira." This is the traditional dress for Moroccan jewish bride.
Courtesy of very talented designer Albert Ouaknine. |
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| Green Brocade |
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| 2 piece Caftan: Blue silk |
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Gold printed brocade
Gold brocade with embroidered pieces of velvet and crystal stones |
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Brown velvet embroidered in brown and gold
3 piece Caftan: green silk, gold lace, green velvet embroidered in gold |
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| Gold brocade with lace over it. Gold "sfifa" |
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3 piece Caftan: green muslin, silver lace and embroidered green silk
3 piece caftan: lace, silk with crystals, and embroidered tulle
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| Embroidered velvet doubled with printed silk |
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| 3 piece caftan: printed silk, gold lace and red velvet |
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2 piece Caftan: White velvet embroidered in purple and other colors.
Purple muslin. |
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| Purple Velvet |
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| Turquoise velvet doubled with turquoise silk |
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Pink velvet, sleeves in silver lace with crystals
Black velvet
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| Black velvet doubled with pink silk |
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Brown velvet
Turquoise and printed silk with brown silk pants |
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| Gandoura "tlija" and white silk |
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| Black muslin and silk gandoura with colorful sequins |
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| Pink muslin and silk gandoura, beaded collar |
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| Blue silk and muslin gandoura, colorful embroidery |
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| Red muslin and silk gandoura |
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| White muslin and silk gandoura, collar with pearls |
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| White muslin and silk gandoura with pearl collar and belt |
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| Silver muslin and silk gandoura, collar with silver crystals |
