Fez — The Moroccan caftan has taken the spotlight at the China National Silk Museum in Hangzhou, where Morocco is serving as guest country of honor at the 2026 Silk Road Week.
The event opened on June 24 under the theme “Harmony in Diversity, For a Shared Future,” with Morocco participating alongside China’s Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, which is serving as guest province of honor.
A Moroccan caftan fashion show, two themed exhibitions, and a presentation on Moroccan wedding traditions introduced Chinese audiences to one of Morocco’s most recognizable symbols of elegance, craftsmanship, and cultural memory.
A runway of Moroccan wedding traditions
The caftan show took place during the opening ceremony of Silk Road Week. Under the artistic direction of Wafaa Fahmi, Chinese models wore creations by Moroccan designer Sahar Ramsis in a scenography inspired by Moroccan palace arches.
The presentation highlighted different regional visions of the Moroccan bride and groom, showcasing the variety of fabrics, embroidery, jewelry, and accessories that shape Morocco’s ceremonial dress traditions.
The event also introduced the audience to the main stages of a Moroccan wedding, from the hammam ritual and henna night to the H’dia ceremony, the marriage contract before Adouls, and the bride’s entrance in the Ammariya.
A living heritage on display
The exhibitions at the museum will run until September 23, extending Morocco’s cultural presence beyond the opening ceremony. One exhibition, titled “The Moroccan Caftan: A Living National Heritage,” explores the garment through themes including rituals, regional styles, accessories, transmission, reinvention, weddings, and celebrations.
A second exhibition focuses on Morocco’s wedding world, presenting the diversity of bridal traditions and ornaments across the country’s regions.
Morocco’s participation comes shortly after UNESCO inscribed “Moroccan Caftan: art, traditions and skills” on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2025. UNESCO describes the caftan as a long tunic worn for special occasions, known for its central opening, buttons, and handmade decoration, including embroidery, beads, and sequins.
Morocco and China meet through textiles
The choice of Hangzhou is significant. The China National Silk Museum is one of China’s major institutions dedicated to textile and fashion heritage, making it a natural stage for Morocco’s caftan diplomacy.
As the caftan moves from Moroccan weddings to an international museum stage, it carries with it the work of artisans, designers, and families who have preserved its codes over generations.
In Hangzhou, that heritage becomes part of a wider conversation on how ancient textile cultures can continue to shape modern cultural diplomacy.
