How to Make Your Own Morocco Kaftan?
The Moroccan Kaftan has been worn by many people for many years. After Muslims and Jews moved to Morocco from Andalusia in the 16th century, the kaftan has been a part of Moroccan culture and fashion ever since. At first, the heavily decorated piece of clothing was worn as a coat or overdress, and both men and women used it to keep cool. But by the middle of the 20th century, the kaftan had become an exotic and sought-after style.
Celebrities, politicians, and models from all over the world have started wearing the traditional Moroccan kaftan as part of their wardrobe.
Already in 2019, the Moroccan kaftan has made a strong fashion statement more than once. In the spring, Christian Dior showed his 2020 Cruise Collection at the El Badi Palace in Marrakech. Several of the looks were based on kaftans.
During her Women’s Empowerment trip to Morocco in November 2019, Ivanka Trump was seen sparkling in a gold Moroccan dress when she met with Princess Lalla Meryem. The Morocco in Abu Dhabi Fashion Festival 2019 was also all about kaftans. “The Kaftan has been passed down for many generations,” said designer Sofia Ben Ibrahim about the show.
Over the years, kaftans have been seen on everyone from the Beatles on their tours to Gisele Bundchen, Hillary Clinton, and Saudi Princess Ameera al-Taweel, all of whom are powerful and influential. In her 2018 movie The Post, Meryl Streep wore a silky ivory-gold caftan. Camilla Parker Bowles, the British duchess of England, is also a big fan of the kaftan. In 2011, she went to the Rabat kaftan fashion show. After that, people started calling her “the queen of caftans.”
There are a Few Different Kinds of Moroccan Kaftans:
Moroccan Kaftan come in many different styles. They range from simple cotton pieces for lounging to fancy dresses with special embroidery for special occasions. Each part of Morocco has a different style of kaftan. In Rabat, kaftans are known for their bright threads, floral and leaf designs, and intricate stitching.
In Meknes and Fes, squares, triangles, and straight lines are used to decorate kaftans. Morocco’s history has given rise to these different styles. The people who have always lived in the kingdom are Berber, and they make up more than 70% of the population.
The Phoenicians, Portuguese, British, Spanish, French, and even the Ottomans, who took over Fes in 1554, have all lived in the country, though. Before the Kaftan came to Andalusia, the Ottoman sultans wore it. The strong Ottoman presence was felt all over the world for hundreds of years.
Designers all over the world have been getting ideas from kaftans for a long time. Yves Saint Laurent and the Lebanese Haute Couture designer Elie Saab both made collections that were influenced by the look of the Middle East and North Africa. The Yves Saint Laurent Museum in Marrakech has a collection of the designer’s kaftans. Visitors to Morocco are often impressed by the beautiful robes they see in the YSL museum and in the souks.
Kaftans are fun to shop for and add to wardrobes all over the world because they are so popular and have changed over time. You can get a kaftan at 33 Rue Majorelle, Max & Jan, Kaftan Queen, or Norya Ayron, which are all Marrakech concept stores. You can also buy fabric and have a local Moroccan tailor make your own kaftan for you.
FAQ Guide to the Moroccan Kaftan. How to Make a Kaftan or Caftan?
When deciding what kind of kaftan you should get, you should think about where you will wear it. Morocco is a hot desert country, so women like to wear loose kaftans to feel comfortable and cool off. For evening events and parties, it’s best to choose a kaftan fabric with more texture and a silky feel.
Go to the Souk in Morocco and Buy Fabric for your Kaftan:
The amount of fabric you buy will depend on your body type and height, but for the average woman, 3 metres is the recommended amount. Your guide and private tailor will help you figure out the length, width (cinched waist or belted), and neckline that will look best on your body.
Getting the Material for your Kaftan:
Your guide will take you to the shopping area in the medina where you can buy kaftan fabrics at caftan shops. You’ll have fun walking around the fabric souks and touching the different fabrics to find the ones you like best. When you shop in person, you can also pick the colour, style, and print pattern. Cotton, chiffon, silk, and satin are the most common materials for a caftan.
How Long will it Take for my Kaftan to be Made?
Caftans with embroidery will take a lot of work, so you will need to be patient. It can take up to a few weeks to make these detailed looks.
Where can I Find Ideas for how to Wear my Kaftan?
Since kaftans are now part of haute couture, there are a lot of fashion designers whose ideas can be very helpful. Dahab ben Aboud and Mohamed Lakhdar are two of them.
Both of them have taken the traditional kaftan and made it look more modern and easy to wear. In the same way, Kim Kardashian, Oprah, Beyonce, and Uma Thurman have all worn kaftan-style gowns to red carpet events.
Where can I Find Ideas for the Embroidery on my Kaftan?
Sfifa is a traditional way for Moroccans to finish off their Kaftans. In the souks of Morocco, you can buy sfifa already made and in a wide range of colours. It is slowly going out of style because of the way people dress today.
A lot of designers work to keep the tradition going. Fadila el Gadi of Morocco opened the Ecole Broderie in 2016 in the Sale neighbourhood of Rabat to teach poor children the lost art of stitching.
Fadila el Gadi is a designer from Morocco. She opened Ecole Broderie Sale, an embroidery school for poor kids to learn the lost art of stitching. Gadi’s dream has always been to go to school.
“I felt that the craft was in danger and that teachers couldn’t teach what they knew. My dream is to teach the young people of Morocco to love embroidery.” Ivanka Trump recently asked El Gadi to make her a jacket with embroidery for her trip to Morocco in 2019.
What are the Best Accessories to Wear with a Kaftan?
Moroccan women wear their kaftans with gold or silver heels, sparkly earrings, and a glamorous makeup look.
Where can I Get Ideas for the Sfifa Embroidery on my Moroccan Kaftan?
Sfifa is a traditional craft from Morocco that you can see on some fabrics and textiles. It’s too bad that it’s going away in Morocco. Some designers are working to keep it going, though. Fadila el Gadi of Morocco opened the Ecole Broderie in Sale-Rabat to teach children from poor families how to sew. Ivanka Trump just asked El Gadi to make her an embroidered jacket for her trip to Morocco in November 2019.
How Should I Accessories a Kaftan Outfit?
Moroccan women wear their kaftans with gold or silver heels, sparkly earrings, and a glamorous makeup look.
Can I get a kaftan from Morocco on rent?
If you are in Morocco and want to try on a kaftan without buying one, there are shops where you can rent one. Depending on how the kaftan looks and what kind of details it has, renting one costs between $15 and $40 USD per day.
