Morocco’s appeal to travelers is Artisan normally available for a decent price. And, for those gifted with the art of bartering a even better price can be achieved. One of the most sought after items in Morocco are carpets. For those armed with the knowledge of what makes a quality carpet and a basic price range to begin the wheeling and dealing, buying a carpet in Morocco can be a rewarding experience (and make your living room look astounding).
Local Moroccan women who make the carpets often are not the ones who end up selling them. In some small villages, where women’s cooperatives exist, the women are involved in pricing and selling process. They might even have set prices, which are what many travelers prefer, especially if they aren’t into bargaining while sipping tea for two or more hours in a crowded medina alleyway.
Therefore, if possible, attempt to visit a local artisanal shop or women’s cooperative to have an idea of what prices are fair for different types of carpets. One type of carpet is the heavy woolen type that is available throughout the country. In Rabat, which is one epicenter for these types of carpets, travelers can search the medina – which happens to be one of the most laid-back souk areas in the entire country. These types of carpets are different than others you’ll find elsewhere in Morocco because of their design that holds true to basic Islamic Art patterns. Usually, these carpets have one central motif that works its way to a highly detailed border. Before looking at a carpets central theme, look over its border. If it is detailed, solid, and thick, then the carpet will cost more money than another without the same outer-edge workmanship.
Knowing the different prices for carpets is quite difficult. The rule goes: If a buyer is happy with the price, then it is a fair price to pay. While this thought process is a little different for western travelers who would rather have something fixed, you’ll begin to understand the mentality better after a few days’ experience in various marketplaces. An old antique carpet that is more than 50 years old, for example, will be worth quite a bit of money, especially if it has been taken care of and withstood the tests of time. Other, more modern carpets may appear bright and illustrious, but their colors will fade over time – something that actually adds to the original look and feel of the piece. Knowing the difference between what chemical and natural (or vegetable) dyes will help.
Overall, a carpet can be judged by how many knots it has per square meter (or yard). Excellent carpets that fetch the highest prices might have nearly 350,000 knots in it per square meter (or about 300,000 per square yard). This type of workmanship is hard to find, but can be had if one looks hard enough. If a carpet vendor claims that their carpets have more knots than this, then you know that it is a far-fetched tale. Additionally, outside of the Rabat region, carpets vary in length, design, and craftsmanship. With hundreds (if not thousands) of types available, it will be dependent upon your taste and ability to spot a well-made piece that determines what sort of carpet you’ll bring home. These patterns will include geometrical patterning and not have outlandish repetitions of the same design. These carpets are often called hanbels or kilims. Other carpets, which are thicker and well made, are called zaneefi designs, while a shoedwi is a type of carpet that is usually made up of mostly black and white designs.
At Shop Morocco we have a wide range of Moroccan Carpets
Moroccan fashion is not a carbon copy process. Rather, painstaking efforts ensue to present lines of clothing that appeal to all different shapes, sizes and needs of Moroccan women. This begins with exceptional quality fabrics arriving from India, Japan, China, Middle East and France.
Upon arrival, designers and tailors labor over each fabric as if it were their own. Creative energies draw from the fabric as designers and tailors review pliability, sensuality and textures. Fabric colors primarily remain in the chartreuse to rich rust color families. There is a good representation from the gold and silver families as well. In the final creative stages, designers and tailors rely on tribal accessory pieces to bring an outfit together. These pieces represent that which is traditional Moroccan style. Pairing a piece of tradition with a modern style creation bring the overall ensemble from old world charm to new world flare.
Moroccan fashion bridges the gap between maintaining traditional values and keeping up with modern styles. Each piece speaks to what Moroccan women want their dress to say about them. The fashion pieces created by the designers and tailors of Morocco execute this to perfection. The fine balance between cultural requirements and present day trends will pave the way for future success in the Moroccan fashion industry.
by Sam Mitchell
The Moroccan Slipper or Babouche as been around as long as the djellaba, and are a important part of traditional Moroccan dress.And can be used indoors or out.
Made from leather the babouche very durable and comfortable slipper.Which can last many years.Yellow is the traditional colour but they also come in almost any colour with as many designs. Womens babouches can be highly decorated with sequins etc.
A kaftan is a man's cotton or silk cloak buttoned down the front, with full sleeves, reaching to the ankles and worn with a sash.
The kaftans worn by the Ottoman sultans constitute one of the most splendid collections of Topkapı Palace in Istanbul. Some of them were so precious that they were given as rewards to important dignitaries and victorious generals during elaborate religious festivals.
Kaftans were often embroidered on the front and on the sleeves, but like everything else under the Ottomans, there was a strict hierarchical order in the colours, patterns, ribbons and buttons, which were chosen according to the rank of the person to whom they were presented.
While in the 14th century large patterns and subdued colours were used, these became both smaller and brighter in the next century. By the second half of the 17th century, the most precious fabrics were those with 'yollu': vertical stripes with various embroideries and small patterns, the so-called "Selimiye" fabrics.
In Morocco kaftans are only worn by women, and are substantially different from their Turkish counterpart. The kaftan is the original moroccan dress. It can be dressy casual to extremely formal (similar to a western dress) depending on the materials used. They can be worn during at dinner parties, baby showers, engagement parties and weddings.
