Algerian Designer Faces Backlash Over Caftan Display at Paris Fair

The paternity of the caftan has again been the subject of dispute between Moroccans and Algerians. It all started with the visits of the stand of an Algerian dressmaker Lina Boussaha at the Paris fair at Porte de Versailles, which is continuing until May 12, and the dissemination of a video on the Algeria stand by the Algerian influencer Iyas. The Algerian designer has exhibited her caftans and gandouras. Seeing Moroccan caftans in an Algeria stand would not have pleased the Moroccans. "They came to see my caftans. Then the threats started. On my Instagram account, they asked me to remove the caftans, otherwise they would report me to the Fair administration. I refused," Boussaha told TSA.

The Moroccans did indeed file a request with the Paris Fair management and asked for the withdrawal of the caftans of the Algerian dressmaker. What happened next? Discussions then took place between fair officials and Lina. "They came, the head of the Algeria stand explained to them what it was all about, that is to say that the caftan is not Moroccan, and that the Moroccans have gotten into the habit of acting this way against Algerian artisans," explains the 31-year-old dressmaker.

In the wake of this, Lina received the support of officials from the Algerian embassy in Paris. They arrived on the scene to reassure the dressmaker, who finds it hard to understand the Moroccans’ request. "The caftan is of Turkish origin. It was developed in Algeria. The first caftan was made and embroidered in my city, Constantine. Over time, our artisans have created caftans by adding touches of modernity depending on what we have as clothing and others to make them," develops the young dressmaker.