Fez — Essaouira is preparing to host its inaugural Fashion Week on November 6 and 7, bringing Moroccan and international designers together for two days of creativity, cultural exchange, and fashion.
The event aims to establish the Atlantic city as a meeting point between African and European fashion industries, while creating professional opportunities for young Moroccan talent.
From a public beach parade to an exclusive runway overlooking the ocean, here are five things to know before the first edition begins.
1. The opening parade is free and open to everyone
Essaouira Fashion Week will begin on Friday, November 6, with a public celebration along the city’s beach, marking the 51st anniversary of Morocco’s Green March.
The festivities will start with an equestrian performance near Ocean Vagabond between 4:30 and 5 p.m., followed by an acrobatic show near Hôtel Médina at 5:30 p.m.
At 6 p.m., a procession of horses will make its way toward the port, bringing the opening celebrations to a close.
Unlike the following day’s runway presentation, the beach parade will be open to the public.
2. The runway will overlook the Atlantic Ocean
On Saturday, November 7, the city’s historic Skala de la Médina will become an open-air fashion runway.
Set against Essaouira’s Atlantic coastline, the presentation will bring contemporary collections into one of the city’s most recognizable architectural settings.
The location forms part of Essaouira’s UNESCO-listed medina, creating a distinctive backdrop for designers exploring the relationship between heritage and contemporary fashion.
The November 7 runway event will be private, with attendance restricted to invited guests.
3. Moroccan heritage meets experimental fashion
The inaugural edition will feature designers whose work combines traditional craftsmanship with contemporary silhouettes and unconventional materials.
French designer Louise Marcaud, who established her Paris-based label in 2020, will present an approach built around structured tailoring, retro-futuristic influences, and repurposed fabrics.
Moroccan label “Anouri Original,” founded by Mohamed Youss from Taroudant, will also participate.
The brand transforms vintage Moroccan carpets, recycled jute bags, and traditional textiles into contemporary streetwear, emphasizing craftsmanship and sustainability.
A collective presentation will additionally bring together Maison Mayad, Timendotes, and Kalhath Foundation, highlighting different interpretations of cultural heritage and creative expression.
Together, the participating labels reflect an interest in preserving traditional techniques while exploring new possibilities for fashion design.
4. The event wants to create careers, not just collections
Beyond its runway presentations, Essaouira Fashion Week aims to develop professional opportunities for young people interested in entering the fashion industry.
According to its official press kit, the initiative hopes to connect emerging designers with established professionals through training, mentorship, internships, and future collaborations.
Its ambitions extend beyond clothing design to include modeling, photography, styling, merchandising, communications, and creative entrepreneurship.
The organizers envision the event as the beginning of a long-term network connecting Essaouira with fashion professionals across Morocco, Africa, and Europe.
5. André Azoulay and Othman Chic are helping shape the project
The event is supported by Association Mogador, Ville de la Mode (Mogador, City of Fashion Association), chaired by André Azoulay, advisor to King Mohammed VI.
Azoulay’s involvement reflects the initiative’s ambition to strengthen Essaouira’s international cultural connections.
Another central figure is Othman Chic, whose real name is Outmane Hibatallah, an entrepreneur and founder of MegaLoft Essaouira.
Known for developing creative spaces connecting art, gastronomy, and culture, Chic is helping position fashion as another opportunity for the city’s emerging talents.
The initiative also involves partners including the Institut Français (French Institute), the French Embassy in Morocco, and the Euro-Mediterranean Young Leaders Forum.
Visitors can explore the event’s official website for additional information.
With its first edition, Essaouira Fashion Week is seeking to move beyond a two-day spectacle.
The longer-term ambition is to establish a platform where Moroccan craftsmanship, African creativity, and international connections can generate lasting opportunities for the next generation of fashion professionals.