Morocco's Remarkable Representation at the Arab Fashion World Awards 2026
The second edition of the Arab Fashion World Awards, organized by the Arab World Institute in Paris, showcases the vibrancy and creativity of Moroccan fashion as the country boasts an impressive 11 nominations across various categories. This year's nominations highlight a blend of emerging talents and established fashion houses, emphasizing Morocco's growing influence in the global fashion landscape.
In 2025, during the inaugural edition of the awards, Morocco had four finalists, but this year marks a significant leap with 11 notable contenders, solidifying its status as the most represented nation in the competition.
Among the nominees, designer Youssef Drissi stands out in the "Emerging Talent" category for the second consecutive year with his brand, LATE FOR WORK. Drissi's work draws inspiration from contemporary urban life, focusing on deconstruction, reconstruction, and gender fluidity through oversized silhouettes and reconstructed garments. His brand is already available in over ten retail locations worldwide, creating a narrative-driven atmosphere where craftsmanship and storytelling take center stage.
Morocco's representation extends to three candidates in the "Creative Entrepreneurship Talent" category. Yassine Chenna, the founder of YC, is recognized for his vision of premium sneakers that merge contemporary design with certified leathers, recycled components, and ethical production practices. Alongside him, Angéline Dangelser has been nominated for LABEL OUED, a creative platform based in Casablanca that unites designers, artisans, textile engineers, cultural institutions, and industrial partners with a shared goal of fostering a new creative scene from Morocco and the African continent. Completing this category is Anass Taf, who returns with FISCA_BRAND, a label originating from Fez that draws inspiration from Moroccan elegance, utility clothing, and cinematic imagination to craft a narrative wardrobe.
Within the "Creative Excellence and Craftsmanship" category, three Moroccan female designers have been recognized. Sara Afailal, founder of AFYLA, reinterprets Moroccan heritage through collections that celebrate artisanal crafts and a modern vision of luxury. Zineb Ghazali, also a finalist again this year, continues her exploration of the Moroccan caftan, collaborating with artisans skilled in embroidery, beading, and trimmings to keep this exceptional heritage alive. Based in Casablanca, Ghitta Laskrouif of GHITTA STUDIO focuses on high-end slow fashion, emphasizing timeless silhouettes, artistic embroidery, and limited-edition productions.
Finally, in the "Accessories Talent" category, Morocco shines with four finalists. Dalila Barkache, a jeweler, is recognized for her work that blends craftsmanship, material research, and contemporary design. Mohammed El Mehdi Benabdel Moumen, founder of BAMEL, revisits Moroccan architectural heritage through luxury leather goods made in collaboration with artisans from Marrakech. Additionally, Karima Bidar is honored for ISLI, an accessories brand that draws on the narratives and techniques that connect Morocco and France to create contemporary objects with strong graphic identities. Leila Roukni, founder of TALEL, continues her international expansion with an experimental design approach that reinterprets Arab design codes, having been selected for the IFM Entrepreneurs incubator in 2023, winning the Accessories Award from Fashion Trust Arabia in 2025, and being a finalist for Maison Mode Méditerranée in 2026.
The winners will be announced during a ceremony scheduled for September 30, 2026, at the Arab World Institute in Paris, marking another significant milestone for Moroccan fashion on the global stage.
As reported by fr.le360.ma.
