MOROCCO: The 16th edition of the annual fashion event "Caftan" takes place in Marrakech, showcasing 12 established designers and two newcomers setting next year's trends for fashion inspired by the traditional Moroccan kaftan

Record ID: 842651

  • Title: MOROCCO: The 16th edition of the annual fashion event "Caftan" takes place in Marrakech, showcasing 12 established designers and two newcomers setting next year's trends for fashion inspired by the traditional Moroccan kaftan
  • Date: 17th May 2012
  • Summary: PANEL AT NEWS CONFERENCE INCLUDING MYRIAM JEBBOR, DIRECTOR AND EDITOR OF THE MONTHLY "FEMMES DU MAROC" (SOUNDBITE) (French) MYRIAM JEBBOR, DIRECTOR AND EDITOR OF THE MONTHLY "FEMMES DU MAROC" SAYING: "Each edition is a particular one. Every time, we try to surprise the Moroccan public both at the artistic level and the show itself. This year, we chose "the treasures of Ib
  • Embargoed: 1st June 2012 13:00
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  • Location: Morocco
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  • Country: Morocco
  • Topics: Business,Fashion
  • Reuters ID: LVAASA676VXWA3UA4RUIBUTHYTNZ
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  • Story Text: Models paraded and dervishes twirled at the "Caftan 2012" on Saturday night (May 12), the most prestigious traditional fashion show in Morocco.
    Twelve established fashion designers and two new comers showed a select audience at the Palais de Congres building in Marrakech their new creations that are expected to set the trend for all designers of fashions inspired by traditional Moroccan clothing in the coming months.
    The designers were given the theme of "The treasures of Ibn Battuta" to inspire them.
    Ibn Battuta was a famed Moroccan traveller and explorer from Tangier who went to Haj in 1304 before setting on a world tour that took him to many countries in the Middle and Far East.
    Ibn Battuta travelled over 120,000 kilometres, three times the distance made by Marco Polo.
    Originating most likely in Iran, the kaftan is now a trade mark of Moroccan fashion and elegance.
    "Each edition is a particular one. Every time, we try to surprise the Moroccan public both at the artistic level and the show itself. This year, we chose "the treasures of Ibn Battuta" as a theme. We tried to go back to the source and discover through Ibn Battuta's travels in various countries and cultures," said Myriam Jebbor, the director and editor of 'Femmes du Maroc' the woman's monthly magazine that supports the event.
    The collections displayed at Caftan 2012 were designed by some of the most prestigious names in Moroccan Haute Couture. In keeping with the theme of Ibn Battuta's travels, the show included dances and artistic intervals from Egypt, Turkey and Russia, amongst other countries, while some of the fashion collections showed oriental influences.
    Each kaftan is a unique work of art that needs hours of meticulous hard work by dozens of traditional artisans who work under the supervision of the designer.
    Designer, Meryem Boussikouk is a renowned name in traditional Moroccan fashion circles.
    "We reach the stage of showing our kaftans only after many actors join us. Without them, we would never get this result. I mean the traditional artisans. I take this opportunity to salute them and to tell them that they should persevere with their efforts and their art so that we can express ourselves as fashion designers with their help. Without them, we cannot do this," Boussikouk told Reuters.
    As well as the designers and the army of skilled artisans who make every piece, the fashion show employs dozens of people behind the scene.
    More than 30 dressers worked backstage helping the models dress under the leadership of Backstage Manager, Wafae Faraj.
    "If a kaftan is not Haute Couture, then it does not make it to the show because this event is organised only once a year. They call us the unknown soldiers and this pleases us. True, without us, the show could not take place on stage but without the people who appear on stage, there is no reason for our existence too. In fact, we complete each other," she said.
    Organisers also called on the services of Jais Zinoun, a choreographer and former soloist with the San Francisco ballet who has graced many of the world's stages.
    "These countries have an enormous wealth both in dancing and in music. I invited some artists who will represent some countries such as Georgia and China. I used lot of choreography because I am choreographer and dancer myself. I was well inspired by the travelling theme and I worked lot on it," said Zinoun.
    The event was not just about fashion and glamour. Its proceeds went to two children's charities.
    "Only for them" helps young girls in remote areas to finish their studies by providing them with, among other things, bicycles to take them to school, while "Les bonnes oeuvres du Coeur" (Good works from the Heart) helps young children who are born with heart problems.
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