I Need this caftan

I Need this caftan

that caftan ,you can use it home or for occasion if it s too long.
If it s short you can wear it with pants or long scurt


Back for a few days in Marrakech as my sister is visiting from Texas, and I wanted to share this beautiful city with her. Needless to say, the souks have provided endless hours of fascination and fun.

After a dozen visits over the last four years, I am accustomed to seeing beautifully made clothing. However, when I came across this black linen djellaba today in one of my favorite boutiques, I pretty much knew I could not resist. I have yet to make the actual purchase, because I now give myself a 24 hour reflection period before making a decision.  I find I make less errors and my choices are for a reason. Well, most of the time!!!

As you can see by the photo, it is indeed a piece very indicative of the Moroccan culture.  This particular piece of clothing is called a djellaba, and is still the predominant way of dressing for both men and women today.  This one is made of a beautiful quality of linen, but what really speaks to me is the ivory silk hand embroidery. Who would not want to own such a beautifully made garment?

Now, let’s just hope that it is still there tomorrow……Destiny rules in this case.


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Djellaba Button Micro Business

Inside the case you will see a variety of highly textured and colorful articles of handmade jewelry. Look a little bit closer and you will see the jewelry is made of tiny, textile djellaba buttons – some are in the form of rosebuds, some have more geometric shapes. Each button was handmade and each necklace, earring and bracelet was handcrafted by women trying to change their lives for the better.

The Khenifra Women’s Handicraft Association is a collective of Moroccan women who once made these traditional djellaba buttons in their homes. Isolated and working alone, they would sell their handicrafts to middlemen for a very small sum because sewing, weaving and carpet making were the only jobs available to them and they rarely left home except to go to the local souk.

Today, with invaluable help from Peace Corps and Nest, a nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the lives of women in developing countries, The Khenifra Women’s Handicraft Association has a space where all the members of the Association can gather for companionship and support while they continue to create their traditional handicrafts. And they no longer work through a middleman. Now, these women sell their products at expositions, craft fairs and select outlets across the country.

It all began with a micro-credit loan from Nest. This loan enabled the Association to be formalized, materials to be purchased, and a space to be renovated for the women to gather and work in. Peace Corps volunteers worked to help the Association establish sound business practices. But the knowledge and the skill behind the making of each djellaba button necklace, bracelet and earring comes directly from the women of Khenifra.

Buy a piece of this handcrafted jewelry and you will not only have a uniquely Moroccan artisanal accessory but you’ll also be contributing to the success of a worthy and sustainable business that is helping these women support themselves.






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Moroccan Shapes, Colours, and Designs

One of the reasons I wanted to visit Morocco was because of its incredible architecture and colours. What I didn’t realize was how delicate and detailed all the work truly is. The extravagance of the country is brought to life through the deep and contrasting colors incorporated in the designs. So what types of Moroccan designs are there?

Moroccans put a lot of hardwork and time into the beauty that are their mosques, palaces, gardens, and walls. From the horseshoe arched doorways and gates to deep green and indigo blue tilework. To help better visualize some of these details and showcase the splendor, here are a list of some of the MAIN materials and styles of architecture used across Morocco.

Stucco

Intricate designs in patterns carved into plaster. They also incorporate Islamic calligraphy into the patterns. This takes hours to carve and a very delicate hand but the outcome is incredible. You find this on walls, around doorways, on gates, and on ceiling arches.

Carved Cedarwood

Beautiful motifs of flowers and leaves, Arabic words and phrases, and other designs. This is an extremely common sight as most doors are made of carved cedarwood. Also found on panels, walls, fountains and doorways.

Zellij Tilework

Colourful, individually shaped tiles arranged in geometric patterns, mostly in the shape of stars. This vibrant mosaic is found on floors and walls in both Mosques and every day houses.

Darj w Ktaf Pattern

A flower-like pattern pointing upwards usually in an emerald green shade. This pattern can be found on schools and Mosques.

Carved Copper

Copper and Bronze are cut-out in geometrical patterns which emit light as they are mainly used as lanterns and lamp shades. The Copper can be natural, painted black or any other colour. Sometimes coloured glass is inserted into the copper to provide accents.

Painted wooden ceilings

Hand-painted traditional designs in star and flower-like patterns. These are found on most ceilings in Mosques, Palaces, and in some homes. The work is detailed and the colours are complimentary.

These shapes, colours, patterns, and designs are all reasons I was inspired to visit Morocco. Being here has fed me more knowledge on understanding what these motifs are and why they are important. I adore Moroccans dedication to beauty and incorporating it into their everyday lives and homes – It gives everywhere a very unique and grand feel. The greens, blues, yellows, and browns. The horseshoe gates, the carved doorways, the tiled floors. There is SO much more to Moroccan design then these patterns, but they give you a good introduction into some of the majestic beauty that is Moroccan design.

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