Timeless Elegance: How the Moroccan Caftan Conquered Fashion’s Elite

The caftan can be worn for parties, ceremonies, walks on the beach, etc. Of Persian origin, this long tunic with an open collar, wide sleeves and buttons, was originally worn by men at the Ottoman court. It then spread to the Middle East and North Africa where it was adapted to each culture. In Morocco, it is lighter, more feminine, more festive. But it remains a luxury garment, reserved for the monarchy and the upper bourgeoisie.

In 1960, the caftan became the essential outfit in the wardrobes of celebrities. Several personalities such as Talitha Getty, Jackie Kennedy, Grace Kelly, Elizabeth Taylor, or even Beyoncé. Jennifer Lopez, Angelina Jolie, Kate Moss, Naomi Watts and Gwyneth Paltrow, have adopted this garment. The caftan is "my refuge of well-being in terms of personal style and everyday clothing," wrote André-Leon Talley in his autobiography "In the Trenches of Fashion". According to him, the caftan "hides the worst flaws of the human body and makes one elegant".

Yves Saint-Laurent is one of the French designers who sublimated the Moroccan caftan, making this outfit ideal for powerful, mysterious and modern women. Halston also reworked the caftan in the New York style, which was worn by Liza Minnelli or Lauren Hutton. In 1996, Tom Ford, then creative director of Gucci, had made it a sexy piece, with plunging necklines and side slits. In 2019, Dior had paid tribute to it during an unforgettable show at the El Badi Palace in Marrakech.

"The caftan is for us the perfect summer dress, fresh, comfortable, feminine, regardless of body shape," explain the Spanish designers Andrea and Beatriz Pérez-Mas, who offer a 100% cotton version with low belts. "It’s much more than just a summer accessory. In the morning, it accompanies the swimsuit, in the afternoon, it allows you to stroll and in the evening, it becomes an elegant garment with the right accessories," explain the designers Carla and Berta Donat.