On the day that the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) approved the registration of the Moroccan caftan as a global intangible heritage, the residence of the Moroccan Ambassador to the Republic of Azerbaijan hosted, on Wednesday evening, a fashion show that highlighted some of the works of the two Moroccan designers, Wafaa El Idrissi and Nabila El Aissaoui, who resides in Bahrain.

To connect the aforementioned governmental committee meeting in India with the celebration in the Azerbaijani capital, Baku, which was attended by various diplomatic missions and artistic and economic figures in the Eurasian country, most of the interventions presented during the show considered this event to be a “historic moment” reflecting international recognition of the value of the Moroccan caftan, not only as a traditional garment, but “as an exclusive Moroccan element that expresses the accumulation of centuries of creativity and artistic skill that have marked the national identity.”

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In his opening remarks at the show, the Moroccan Ambassador to Baku, Mohamed Adel Ambarch, said that “the caftan is one of the most symbolic and timeless manifestations of Moroccan elegance,” considering that “the caftan is not something new, as it has existed for centuries, and has evolved through generations and signatures, and has continued to renew itself,” noting that many international figures and celebrities around the world have worn it with pride, which has contributed to raising its status globally.”

Ambarsh, who was bringing the foreign attendees closer to one of the components of the national culture, added that “many of the world’s major fashion houses have been inspired by the caftan,” giving examples such as “Christian Dior, Elie Saab, Oscar de la Renta, and Yves Saint Laurent, and some of them even dedicated entire collections inspired by the Moroccan caftan.” He continued: “Perhaps the most recent of these was from the house of Christian Dior, which presented its collection of Moroccan caftans in Marrakech last year.”

Because this is the third time the embassy has organized a show about the caftan in particular, this show “gains its strength” after the Moroccan dress was registered on the UNESCO World Heritage List. For this reason, the diplomatic official stressed that “this step was followed closely by the Moroccan people,” noting that “this is a tribute to all the tailors, designers, embroiderers and craftsmen, hundreds of thousands of them who have ensured over the centuries that women remain elegant while wearing this ancient and authentic dress.”

“Diversity within unity”

The wife of the Moroccan ambassador, Aisha Al-Bukhari, said that “the caftan is very unique and distinctive,” and added as she presented it to those present: “It is a long garment that covers the entire body with intricate lines that flow with elegant grace, highlighting what a woman wishes to show and concealing what she prefers not to show. We wear it on all our special occasions, from celebrations to weddings and other major events.”

Al-Bukhari defended the density of creativity suggested by this garment, which ensures a diversity in design that reinforces the diversity of the Moroccan caftan, stating: “When women attend a wedding in Morocco, the number of those wearing the caftan may be vast, but it is impossible to find two women wearing the same design.” She continued: “The fabrics and colors may be similar, but each one has her own design made by the tailor, and this is what makes each caftan unique.”

The ambassador’s wife also explained the details related to the caftan in its traditional and modern forms, as well as the “takchita”, and the differences between them, in addition to the “jebador”, in order to better understand one of the “most important symbolic cultural treasures in Morocco”, and to strengthen the perception of its heritage and artistic importance and its historical developments, among the Azerbaijani and foreign audience who attended the ceremony.

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In her speech, Hind Joudar, President of the “Silk Road and Andalusia” Association and founder of “Eastern Fashion Show” and “Moroccan Fashion Week” in Marrakech, said that “the inclusion of the caftan on the UNESCO World Heritage List is a pivotal moment for us as Moroccans because it is part of our heritage and our national signature. It is present in all our historical and family details, and this inclusion is important for us.”

In her interview with the Hespress electronic newspaper, the spokesperson emphasized that “this step calls for more attention to the craftsmen, as they are the secret to this richness, since it is their hands that can bring to life what we design,” considering that striving to create a bridge between contemporary design and traditional crafts related to the Moroccan caftan makes it present in our daily lives and special occasions, while preserving its authenticity and cultural value.

In order to develop a sustainable system for protecting this heritage, the same designer stated that “future generations must be encouraged to learn the traditional crafts associated with this element,” noting that “preserving this heritage requires a real responsibility that demands material and moral support for craftsmen, and the provision of marketing platforms that guarantee their continuity and maintain the quality of traditional Moroccan industry.”