One of the reasons for a return trip to Morocco was to visit a friend who lives outside of Casablanca and who also co-owns Mushmina, an adorable boutique located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. A team of two sisters; one taking care of business in the USA and the other making it happen in Morocco. It happens to be producing what the designer (the USA sister partner) creates! Since much of their product line is clothing and accessories…we were off and running on our first couple of days in Casablanca to purchase fabric for their upcoming fall collection. Yep, three Americans bopping around the fabric district of Casablanca, Morocco…and of course attracting attention everywhere we went!
Interestingly, shopping for fabric in Casablanca is very similar to shopping for fabric in the Garment District of New York City. Both have an abundance and variety of fabrics, as well as bargains and high end materials, not to mention shops brimming with embellishments. If you sew (and most Moroccans do!) well welcome to fabric paradise. And yes…Morocco’s “garment district” is a touch “wilder” than New York’s, no doubt!
A great introduction to this sprawling metropolis called Casablanca! It all sounds fabulous, right? Well traveling to any foreign culture and developing country can be rewarding and challenging. Not to mention the need of lots of patience and understanding. Little did we know…that soon enough our patience would really be challenged. But before we go there…there’s a few introductions and the first is Shanty Town. Coming up!
Beautiful photos… On pins and needles waiting to hear MORE!!! XoXo
Thank you VK!! xoxo
Love the photos and so intrigued in knowing more!
I am wondering how the men treat women in business transactions such as your friends and yourself. I am curious is women are respected as business people.
Thanks for sharing.
xoxoxo
Great questions LIsa…just speaking from this experience…my friend who was doing the purchasing was treated very professionally. She is smart in that she builds relationships with certain fabric owners and then returns. So like most places…developing the relationship is key. Now the issue is when it involves production of large quantities and in many cases I understand they are very lackadaisical about meeting deadlines…which we all know can lead to BIG problems!
Hmmm……no travel books on patience and understanding for foreign cultures and developing countries? Me in big trouble! I will have to take some lessons from you and Suzan if I explore these types of areas, because I am not sure I would survive. HA! I am interested, as well in knowing how the men regard the women in business and overall. I like the name Shanty Town. 🙂 xoxoxo
It is difficult when you have the touchy-feely personalities like both of us do…so yes, you’d be in big trouble, ha ha! I provided my thoughts in Lisa’s response, but with her asking the question, I want to know more as well so stay tuned for more info in a future posting!
I must say, Robin, I never expected THIS post from you…but WHY NOT! You have surprises around every corner waiting for us, I’m sure. Astrid works with many Moroccans, but for some reason I never thought of FABRIC when thinking of them. Hmmm. I’m getting my education…again. 🙂
Yes, we don’t even think about the countries where women continue to make their own clothes…so it does make sense that this would be big business in Morocco! Isn’t it fabulous to be educated daily!
Love every single picture but just LOVE the man with his notebook smacking his lips in happy anticipation of a good deal! Never thought of fabric either when thinking of Morocco ….furniture and tiles …yes!
Looking forward to seeing more ! Will now try to find Mushmina!
So true Karen! His expression is what made me hit the shutter release! Yes, as I mentioned in another comment fabric is big business when most all the women sew and make their own clothes. Hard to imagine…and more on that later in a future post! Thank you!!!
Love your photos so far from this trip….insanely jealous….more, more please!!!
Thank you Catherine!!
Of course | cannot see the name “Casablanca” without thinking of Humphrey Bogart and the film, and these pictures make the place seem just as seething and exotic and colourful and interesting. Hope you are having a lovely time there, and thank you for posting more great photographs
My pleasure Ducky!! I too have always associated the film with Casa! Thank you so much!
I sure would have loved to be tagging along on this fabric adventure!
Oh my…the volume of everything would blow your mind!
I love all those patterns and colors! And especially the melon picture – nature makes wonderful patterns, too.
Oh, you’re so right Katrin. I loved that watermelon immediately! Nature is amazing what it does! Thank you!
The fabrics of Morocco are famous. This is like walking in wonderland.
Wonderful patterns and great pictures. I think you were short of eyes.
Soooooo short of eyes Astrid! Exactly! Thank you!
Fabulous patterns and textures!
Thank you Elena!
I would love to know where this is. I just moved to Cadanlanca and I’m looking for sewing supplies.