In a vibrant atmosphere that celebrates Moroccan elegance and deep-rooted cultural heritage, the city of Marrakech kicked off the 26th edition of the "Caftan Week" on Thursday. This annual event has become a notable fixture in Morocco's fashion and creativity calendar, organized by "Women of Morocco" magazine under the theme "Breath of the Atlas."
This year's event, running from May 7 to May 10, aims to provide a broad perspective on the Moroccan Atlas, recognized as a reservoir of aesthetic symbols, traditional craftsmanship, and collective memory. The approach seeks to reinterpret the Moroccan caftan through a lens that connects tradition with innovation, showcasing the enduring presence of this traditional attire within the Moroccan cultural and artistic landscape.
The organization of "Caftan Week 2026" comes at a significant time, following the inclusion of the Moroccan caftan on the UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritage of humanity. This recognition has granted the caftan renewed international visibility and solidified its status as one of the foremost artistic expressions tied to Moroccan identity.
The first day of the event featured the opening of the "Traditional Atlas Crafts" exhibition at the Dar Al-Basha space, which pays a special tribute to Moroccan artisans from the Atlas regions. This exhibition highlights inherited traditional skills that reflect the richness of Moroccan Amazigh culture and emphasizes the role of craftsmen in preserving collective memory and passing down artisanal knowledge through generations.
Additionally, the Saadian Palace hosted a masterclass titled "Modernization Without Betraying Origins: What Balances for the Caftan?" featuring several influential figures from the fashion, traditional crafts, and cultural sectors. Among the participants were Jalila Marsli, President of the Casablanca-Settat Crafts Chamber, and designer Amina Bouziri, alongside Ghita Lahrichi, founder of the Handmade by Ghita Lahrichi brand, with the discussion moderated by journalist Abdallah Muntasser. This meeting raised important questions about the future of the Moroccan caftan and the limits of modernization, where speakers emphasized the need to maintain the essence of this traditional attire while embracing contemporary methods capable of giving it renewed visibility in international markets and platforms, without compromising its historical and aesthetic symbols.
The organizers, through programming discussions and meetings, aim for "Caftan Week" to act as a bridge between generations, encouraging emerging talents to draw inspiration from Moroccan heritage using modern and responsible approaches that respect the value of the artisanal and cultural legacy embodied by the caftan.
The event's program continues on Friday with a press conference at the Tigmiza hotel, alongside a segment showcasing young talents, allowing ten young designers to present their creative visions before a jury that includes Lahcen Ait Mahdi, Amal Belkaid, and Issam Washma, offering an opportunity to participate in the "Caftan 2027" show.
The highly anticipated grand show on May 9 is expected to be one of the highlights of the event, featuring 13 designers presenting collections inspired by the worlds of the Moroccan Atlas. This will blend traditional craftsmanship with contemporary touches, reflecting the vibrancy of the Moroccan creative scene and its ability to present the caftan in a global language that retains its deep Moroccan roots.
As reported by hespress.com.
