Morocco, and more so the Middle-Atlas region, predisposes a high quality of traditional and technical textile art that is aesthetically unique. It has earmarked the rich history and identity of this region, earning worldwide recognition in terms of weaving, carpets and embroideries.
However, due to various reasons, one being the effect of globalization on business exchanges, this legacy has come to be at risk.
Preserving our heritage / legacy
Low cost imported products have resulted in a market nosedive, for people working in the field of textiles. Local producers have therefore had to greatly reduce the production of raw materials such as wool, weaving, and embroidery crafts in their domestic outlets. That said, the manufacturing of textiles has still remained very useful, whether it be for the advantages it can bring to the local economy, the artistic legacy or be it for sustainable development.
It was in 1999 that Fatima Lévêque, in need of finding a solution, developed her product, recognised under the name “La Metisse”. She created her first home textile collection and committed herself to developing a more united North-South relationship.
An approach, an identity, an ethnic.
In 2007, La Metisse started her own line of contemporary carpets based on the local speciality of the “Zaïn” tribal stitch. The STEP label was then obtained for the sustainable trade of handmade carpets.
In 2015, a set of carpets for the Diacasan Edition was produced in workshops of our cooperatives and in 2017, the kilims line was tested.
However, throughout those years of experimenting, problems began to steadily appear, whether it be concerning wool, dye, weaving or embroidery.
In April 2019, a global diagnostic test was carried out in the field by La Metisse, providing an overview on two main points : the production and treatment of wool, to its point of weaving, before going through the dying process.
The final result is to rebuild a local “sustainable system” in the Moroccan Middle-Atlas region, mixing traditional savoir-faire with contemporary creations, while in the meantime, also preserving an endangered heritage.
Moreover, in order to take into account both the acceleration of global warming and the reduction of water reserves, we must urgently and quickly reduce our consumption of natural resources, raw materials and energy and therefore reinvent the manufacturing process.
Consequently, the stakes are high to build a cooperative local development project that values savoir-faire and non material heritage.
« Such a situation has drawn La Metisse to be more committed to supporting local people. The goal is to breathe life once again into savoir-faire crafts in the area of weaving, dying and embroidering so as to mend local woods, and the tinctorial plant production within “Les Liens d’Alouane” association. ». En savoir plus Les liens d’Alouane
