Updated
Caftans in Colorado – Caitlin Dearing Scott
Caitlin Dearing Scott
September 12, 2017
Moroccan Caftans featured at Colorado State University’s Avenir Museum
Photo: Colorado State University
Morocco’s traditional clothing – the caftan – has been transformed over the last 20 years from a practical garment to haute couture. The Avenir Museum of Design and Merchandising at Colorado State University in Fort Collins is currently hosting an exhibition documenting that evolution. “The Allure of the Moroccan Caftan” seeks to examine “what happens when traditional attire meets high fashion,” by showcasing “how caftans are being adapted to the haute couture scene in Morocco.”
Curated by Marcela Wells with a collection on loan from Fort Collins collector Mary Biggers, the exhibit “traces how history, geography, craftsmanship, national pride, and tradition have contributed to the caftan’s contemporary allure.” In designing the exhibit, Wells and Biggers wanted to do more than just display the caftans, so the exhibit features interactive components that highlight design and construction. Visitors can try on some of the caftans and also feel the silk used to embroider many of them. Bringing the garments closer to the viewer helps “create a deeper level of appreciation for an understanding of the design and ornamentation of Moroccan caftans.”
The exhibit is on view through December 15.