1st Edition Essaouira Fashion Week 2026

This upcoming weekend marks the first edition of Essaouira Fashion Week. The Event will commence on 06 November with the opening parade on the beach with horses honouring The Green March as its 51st Anniversary honouring the pioneers from the original Green March, which was a historic mass peaceful demonstration in 1975 organized by the late King Hassan II of Morocco to press Spain to relinquish control of the Spanish Sahara (now Western Sahara. On Saturday November 7th, there will be a private fashion by invite only to showcase both French and Moroccan designers in collaboration with Association Mogador Ville de la Mode, the French Embassy in Morocco, Institut Francais, Forum Euro Mediterranean Des Jeunes Leaders as well as a series of agencies, artists and collaborators.

GIVING A VOICE TO THE NEXT GENERATION OF FASHION

IT’S MORE THAN A FASHION SHOW.

Essaouira Fashion Week and the Mogador, City of Fashion Association aim to create a genuine platform for professional opportunities for young Moroccan and African people seeking to build careers in the fashion industry.

Professional Opportunities

• Design: Designers, fashion stylists, pattern makers, textile designers and artisans.
• Business & Industry: Buyers, merchandisers, brand managers and product development professionals.
• Image & Representation: Models, influencers, photographers, videographers and content creators.
• Communications & Media: Public relations, marketing and social media professionals specialising in fashion.

The vision is to build a bridge between Essaouira and Paris, Morocco and France, Africa and Europe, opening up new perspectives and creating opportunities for the future of fashion. Ultimately, establishing Essaouira as a new hub for African fashion.

This event will provide a unique opportunity for dialogue, networking and knowledge-sharing between decision-makers, industry professionals and the next generation of talent. With the goal to foster meaningful exchanges, bring together partners capable of supporting new initiatives, and turn these encounters into tangible opportunities: training programmes, mentorship, collaborations, internships and professional pathways for the young people of Essaouira.

This is the first step towards building a lasting network and creating new opportunities between Africa and Europe.

In collaboration, with the Euro-Mediterranean Forum of Young Leaders, the Institut Français, the French Embassy in Morocco and the Mogador, City of Fashion Association, this project aims to encourage exchanges, foster connections, pass on expertise and skills, and nurture the emergence of new talent.

Essaouira Fashion Week marks the beginning of a dialogue and a collective movement designed to grow this initiative and help shape the future of fashion in Essaouira, Morocco and across Africa.

Much more than a fashion event, it is an initiative to connect cultures, showcase talent and create the opportunities of tomorrow.

For more information on event details, official partners & event updates:

Follow @essaouirafashionweek on Instagram.

Visit their website for news and next event details and artist applications. www.essaouirafashionweek.ma

OFFICIAL PARTNERS

Essaouira Fashion Week Organizers & Associations

No large event goes without a team & network of organizers, partners and collaborators to make it happen. Essaouira Fashion Week is no exception. Brought to life by Othman Chic & Association Mogador Ville de la Mode, with Chairman Andre Azoulay, advisor to his Majesty King Mohammed VI, with a vision to build a platform and bridge for Africa & Europe, for the next generation of designers and those interested to start a career in the fashion industry.

Othman Chic

Entrepreneur & visionary Othman Chic has large ambitions and passion for supporting opportunities to the Youth of Morocco. Along side his restaurant, concept bar and creative space Megaloft in the old Medina of Essaouira, which offers live music and popular Moroccan & global DJs. Visit megaloftessaouira.com for more info about Megaloft. Othman Chic also works to share, promote & inspire creatives on his own platform of Instagram @othmanchic.

Association Mogador Ville de la Mode

The Mogador, City of Fashion Association is the organising body behind the very first edition of Essaouira Fashion Week. This unprecedented cultural event celebrates contemporary fashion design in the heart of Essaouira, the city of the trade winds.

With the support of chairman André Azoulay, Advisor to His Majesty King Mohammed VI, this initiative is part of the city’s long-standing commitment to promoting its cultural heritage and creative identity.

Ambassade de France au Maroc

The Embassy of France in Morocco, located in the capital city of Rabat, serves as the principal diplomatic mission representing the French Republic to the Kingdom of Morocco. The embassy manages strategic bilateral relations, promotes economic and trade partnerships, and oversees an extensive cultural and educational network. They have collaborated on this event, overseeing publication while supporting the artists and production of this event.

Forum Euro-Méditerranéen des Jeunes Leaders 

The Euro-Mediterranean Forum of Young Leaders is an annual event organised by the French Embassy in Morocco and the Institut Français du Maroc, with the support of local partners, including the Essaouira-Mogador Association. Over 20 Leaders will be invited to participate in Essaouira Fashion Week. Visit Institut Français article for more details of the upcoming forum.

Institut Français

The Institut Français du Maroc is France’s largest cultural network abroad. Operating under the auspices of the French Embassy in Morocco, it serves as a leading platform for cultural exchange, artistic promotion and language learning, strengthening the ties between France and Morocco. Visit their website for more information: if-maroc.org

Klamath Foundation

The Kalhath Foundation is an international cultural organization dedicated to preserving, promoting, and sustaining traditional hand-embroidery and textile arts. Founded in 2016 by fashion expert Maximiliano Modesti and Moroccan cultural entrepreneur Mohammed Amine Dadda, the foundation bridges ancient craftsmanship with contemporary art. Visit their partner website for more details www.kalhath.com

Maison Mayad

Maison Mayad is a Paris-based luxury heritage fashion label celebrated for pioneering “ethical couture” by bridging Moroccan ancestral craftsmanship with contemporary European design. Founded by cultural entrepreneur Mohammed Amine Dadda, the fashion house revitalizes near-extinct artisan techniques through global collaborations across France, India, Italy, and Morocco. Follow on instagram @maisonmayad

Featured Artists for the Events

Both The Green March opening parade and the fashion show will feature independent designers from Morocco and France. Collaborators for the opening parade have provided pieces for riders and participants to wear while the Fashion Show itself will be showcasing styles from designers and curated pieces from organizations.

Fashion Show Exhibitors (Private Event – invitation only)

The Green March Opening Parade (Public Event)

Date: Friday November 6th 2026 Starting at 16h30 in front of Oceanvagabond

Location: Essaouira Beach

The opening parade will begin in front of Ocean Vagabond along with an acrobat presentation at 17h30 in front of the Medina Hotel on the beach.

Collaborators:

Hiya Art De Vivre

Local Designer Naima Zadi will be providing pieces to be worn. Originally from Casablanca, Naima creates one of a kind up-cycled style using African Mudcloth, overstock, and other sustainably sourced high quality textiles. Read More about Hiya Art de Vivre on our older post. Or shop online www.hiyaartdevivre.com

Kaditradi

A Moroccan fashion brand celebrating contemporary style with a touch of traditional heritage. Creating fashion for all, Kaditradi blends cultural influences, distinctive patterns and modern silhouettes to bring a fresh perspective to Moroccan fashion.

Wild and Free Essaouira

Inspired by the spirit of horses and the freedom of the open landscape, Wild & Free Essaouira celebrates the deep connection between horses, nature and individuality. Rooted in the equestrian culture of Essaouira, the brand embraces authenticity, adventure and a free-spirited lifestyle.

Teranga

Bringing the vibrant spirit of Senegal to Essaouira, Teranga African celebrates African culture through fashion, colour and distinctive prints. Inspired by West African heritage and creative expression, the brand embraces individuality, cultural identity and the richness of African style.

Yallah Essaouira

Created in 2025, Yallah Essaouira is a creative brand rooted in the spirit of Essaouira, inspired by horses, art and freedom. Combining carefully selected leather and denim with handmade details and unique custom artwork, the brand celebrates craftsmanship, individuality and creative expression.

Media Coverage of Essaouira Fashion Week

Media Collaborator Morocco World News

Media Collaborator Morocco World News will be offering full coverage of the event in collaboration with Essaouira Fashion Week. Along with their MWN Lifestyle entity. Stay tuned for more updates and news via their websites: www.moroccoworldnews.com & mwnlifestyle.com

Other Media coverage includes:

ELLE Maroc (French)

Dana Press (Arabic)

Assabah (Arabic)

L’economiste (French)

VH Magazine (French)

Essaouira Fashion Week & Marketing SSG

It has been a pleasure for the last minute opportunity to help provide print and online promotional assets for the event to create the platform and for the organizers to get their press kit out to the media as well as all the banners, and invitations ready in time for the event. Stay tuned to our blog as well as socials for updates, coverage and photos from the public and private events. We will be attending & covering the events along with onsite photography. It is an exciting movement to follow and see grow from the beginning stages.

Wishing all the collaborators, artists and organizers so much success with this ongoing development for fashion in Essaouira, Morocco & Africa.

Follow us SSG Travel & Lifestyle on instagram for more: @sustainablesurfergirl