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Vogue Arabia

Behind the Seams: Zainab Fatihi Aderrab's Intimate Journey Through Caftan du Maroc

Skip to main content In the heart of Morocco's most prestigious fashion event, designer Zainab Fatihi Aderrab invites us into her world where each stitch honours memory, elegance, and the future May 13, 2025 Photo: Zainab Fatihi Aderrab For Zainab Fatihi Aderrab, Caftan du Maroc wasn't just a goal, it was a calling. 'It's a celebration of the caftan and of the artists who bring it to life. I've always wanted to take part, I was just waiting for the right moment,' she tells us. Trained in biotechnology, she followed the irresistible pull of fashion in 2010, sculpting her own space where tradition and modernity entwine with poise. Her 2025 collection is the result of that journey: a harmonious fusion of heritage and innovation. 'The caftan is timeless. It tells a story, balancing refinement and legacy,' she says. Her pieces reveal precise cuts, noble materials, and exquisite hand-finished details. 'Moroccan craftsmanship is an endless source of inspiration. I protect its ancient techniques while giving them a contemporary rhythm.' Photo: Zainab Fatihi Aderrab In the hours before the spotlight hits the runway, Zainab is where she belongs: behind the scenes, orchestrating the final notes of her visual symphony. 'There's electricity backstage—hair, makeup, last-minute adjustments. Everyone is focused, sharing the same mission: to make the caftan shine,' she of her collections begins not with a sketch, but with a sensation. 'It starts with a story or emotion. I choose fabrics that reflect that: flowing silks, sumptuous velvets, delicate muslin…' she explains. Colours follow the season's energy, while embroidery especially the intricate Zwak Lem3ellem becomes the soul of the garment. Photo: Zainab Fatihi Aderrab She describes the challenge of synchronising the countless moving parts of a fashion show with calm precision: 'Everything happens at once. Every piece requires complete attention.' Yet she thrives in this intensity, where her eye for detail becomes her strength. Photo: Zainab Fatihi Aderrab Though Moroccan fashion is evolving, Zainab remains committed to honoring its roots. 'The caftan adapts to the times, but it must never lose its soul. A caftan must remain a caftan,' she says firmly. She celebrates daring reinterpretations but not at the expense of identity. 'Some go too far and distort its essence. The caftan offers infinite possibilities it doesn't need to become something else.' Unlike many designers, her passion for caftans wasn't inherited—it was discovered. 'There's no family story behind it. It's something I came to on my own,' she shares. And that makes her path even more personal. After Caftan du Maroc, she hints at upcoming projects in Morocco and the Middle East. But for now, she's exactly where she's meant to be: paying homage to Moroccan artistry, one refined detail at a time. 'My work is a celebration of elegance and excellence but above all, of our cultural craftsmanship.'