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Rabat – French-Moroccan designer Nora Sahraoui is set to bring her Moroccan flair to Miami Modest Fashion Week. The event’s organizers chose the Xela Fashion founder and CEO as creative director and lead designer at the first modest fashion show to hit the United States.
The three-day event is dedicated to promoting inclusivity and choice in the fashion industry, according to the show’s founder Norsham Mohamed-Garcia.
As the show’s creative director and lead designer, Sahraoui plans to highlight her Moroccan origins and convey her multi-cultural background.
“My Moroccan origins have always influenced me,” she told Morocco World News, adding that she draws inspiration from the colors and beading found in Moroccan attire. Sahraoui also incorporates Moroccan embroidery into her abaya and jellaba designs.
“I always open my shows in the US and the UAE with the traditional Sahrawi dress to honor my parents and grandparents,” she continued. “I’m proud of my origins and the beauty of Morrocan Sahara.”
“I love the idea of representing the Moroccan woman through my collections,” Sahraoui said, adding that she wants to educate Moroccan women about the industry and use her knowledge and experience in the field to contribute to Morocco’s gross domestic product (GDP).
Democratizing Moroccan fashion
Through her brand Xela Fashion, Sahraoui wants to expand the international perception of Moroccan fashion.
“Moroccan fashion is known for the caftan, which is recognized worldwide,” she said. “I do not like to limit the Moroccan style to the caftan but to democratize it.”
She does not want her styles to be exclusive to consumers of a single ethnicity, religion, or culture—her designs are made for women around the world.
Sahraoui has plans to launch collections that will attract American and international consumers. Evening dresses, spring styles, and ready-to-wear pieces with a Moroccan touch make the designs more popular, she added.
Her designs already have a far-reach, with admirers such as American actresses Holly Robinson Peete and Kelsey Scott. American models Jaslene Gonzalez and Rocsi Diaz have styled pieces from Xela, along with American TV personality and entrepreneur Lori Greiner.
Leila Lopes, the winner of Miss Universe 2011, is also a fan of Sahraoui’s creations.
Bringing Modest Fashion Week to Morocco
An installment of Modest Fashion Week may be on the Maghrebi horizon.
“Morocco is a very rich country with beautiful craftsmanship in textiles,” Sahraoui said. “However, there is no Modest Fashion Week presence in Morocco or in Africa.”
“In the near future, we would like to make our next stop Morocco, which will be the first African country to host an international modest fashion week.”
Sahraoui has already made a name for herself on the international stage, and her major role in Miami Modest Fashion Week will only expand her reach.
