Fez — As anticipation builds for Morocco’s most prominent fashion event, Caftan Week has announced the designers selected for its 26th edition, scheduled to run from May 7-10 in Marrakech.
Held under the theme “Souffle de l’Atlas” (“Breath of the Atlas,”) this year’s program places the Atlas Mountains at the heart of a creative reflection on heritage, craftsmanship, and contemporary design.
Organized by Femmes du Maroc, Caftan Week 2026 continues a curatorial journey that began last year with an exploration of the Moroccan Sahara.
This new chapter turns toward the Atlas as a foundational territory whose landscapes, materials, and ancestral techniques have long shaped Morocco’s cultural imagination and textile traditions.
A tribute to the Atlas as a living source of inspiration
According to the organizers, “Souffle de l’Atlas” is conceived as an homage to a region synonymous with transmission and artisanal excellence. The theme invites designers to engage with the mountains’ symbolic power, from their rugged reliefs to the gestures and materials that define local craftsmanship, while remaining faithful to the caftan’s historical codes.
The 2026 edition also unfolds in a significant cultural moment for Morocco, following the recognition of the Moroccan caftan as intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO. The acknowledgment has reinforced efforts to preserve and transmit caftan-related know-how, lending additional weight to this year’s creative dialogue.
Thirteen designers selected for the Grand Défilé
According to Femmes du Maroc, Interest in the Grand Défilé Caftan 2026 was particularly strong among designers, reflecting the event’s enduring role as a cornerstone of Morocco’s fashion ecosystem. After a careful selection process focused on originality, thematic interpretation, and mastery of traditional techniques, 13 designers were chosen to present collections created specifically for this edition.
Presented in alphabetical order, the selected designers are Selma Benomar, Myriam Bouafi, Mouad Chafai, Zainab Fatihi Aderrab, Zineb Ghazali, Sara Hilali, Mao Lakhdar, Hind Lamtiri, Houda Larini, Asmaa Naji, Selma Senaoui, Amal Soussi Aouad, and Imane Tadlaoui. Through diverse creative languages, their collections are expected to offer a plural reading of the Atlas, balancing heritage and innovation.
Beyond the runway in Marrakech
While the Grand Défilé, scheduled for May 9, will remain the centerpiece of the week, Caftan Week 2026 will also feature a broader program across Marrakech. Exhibitions, masterclasses, and discussion spaces are set to animate the city, fostering exchange around craftsmanship, creativity, and the future of the caftan.
Building on the success of the 2025 anniversary edition, which highlighted Saharan influences, Caftan Week 2026 reinforces its position as both a fashion platform and a cultural forum. By spotlighting the Atlas and the designers who draw from its legacy, the event continues to frame the caftan not only as a garment, but as a living expression of Morocco’s diverse territories and enduring savoir-faire.
