Since the 1980s, Zhor Raïs's creations have stood out for the distinctive signature of a Moroccan designer whose abundant creativity bridges traditional craftsmanship and contemporary expression. Drawing on a rich diversity of influences, she now celebrates the surrealist universe of Salvador Dalí, infusing it with an intergenerational elegance that reaffirms the caftan's timeless relevance. Zhor Raïs ‹ › Celebrating forty years of creation that highlight both the elegance and refinement of the caftan, and its remarkable ability to remain contemporary through the centuries, Zhor Raïs brings this creative vision to life in her exhibition «Dalí Diali – The Fabric of Dreams». Opening at the Museum of Adornment in Rabat on January 8, 2026, the designer and fashion model masterfully blends this ancestral Moroccan garment with the artistic universe of Spanish surrealist painter Salvador Dalí, demonstrating how the caftan can endlessly reinvent itself. Through twelve creations, Zhor Raïs weaves together inspiration drawn from the sculptures of the Dalí Universe and the ancestral craftsmanship she has cultivated through her family heritage, as well as decades of training and collaborations since the 1980s. Recently recognized as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, the Moroccan caftan emerges here as a work of art in its own right, pushing the boundaries of traditional attire. At the same time, it serves as a living tribute to Moroccan artisans, the guardians of savoir-faire passed down through generations. Speaking to Yabiladi, Zhor Raïs explains that after forty years devoted to the caftan and a lifelong immersion in the Fine Arts, Salvador Dalí's universe has become a profound source of inspiration, with its surrealism that, she says, «nourishes a fashion that blurs the lines between dream and reality». Creation: Zhor Raïs «His works invite me to imagine, to transform, hand in hand with Moroccan artisans, who are always at the heart of my creative approach. Blending Moroccan tradition with Dalí is to affirm that the caftan transcends borders: it is universal». Embedding the Caftan in Universality The stylist and creator adopts an original artistic approach, in which ancestral craftsmanship harmoniously intersects with Salvador Dalí's imaginative world. «The caftan, through its cuts, patterns, and drapes, carries within it a deeply dreamlike dimension», Zhor Raïs told us. «I draw a parallel between Salvador Dalí's creativity, born of dreams, and that of the artisans, who transform an inner vision into delicate embroidery that enhances a caftan. Both create from imagination. This is why I wanted to translate this meeting of dream and gesture into a single expression: tangible beauty», she adds. Creation: Zhor Raïs Zhor Raïs's artistic choice to push the limits of creation, while remaining firmly rooted in traditional haute couture, appears both deliberate and timely. The UNESCO recognition of the Moroccan caftan confirms her vision, as well as that of many designers who seek to bridge fashion heritage with contemporary influences to celebrate the garment's universal reach. «This recognition enshrines the history of the caftan, and my approach places it within a resolutely contemporary artistic dialogue», she notes. Beyond this exhibition, Zhor Raïs has consistently anchored her work in the caftan's ancestral references while infusing it with a modern sensibility. Adapting a centuries-old heritage to present-day aesthetics thus becomes a way to ensure its continued transmission, at a time when the caftan increasingly inspires and captivates international audiences and personalities. A Garment Woven from Past, Present, and Future According to Zhor Raïs, «modernizing the caftan means allowing it to travel, anchoring a centuries-old heritage in the present and enabling it to converse with contemporary trends». Creation: Zhor Raïs «By blending the caftan's heritage with modern aesthetics, it becomes a universal language capable of speaking to everyone. The caftan is a dream to wear, a living work that transcends time». She further explains that «adapting this heritage to today's trends is about giving it new life and ensuring its global dissemination». «By combining traditional motifs with contemporary fabrics, modern color palettes, and reimagined cuts, the caftan reaches a wider audience without ever sacrificing its identity», she adds. Ultimately, this approach affirms the caftan as «a living art, constantly evolving, faithful to its Moroccan soul while fully integrated into contemporary creation». After forty years of innovation, and looking ahead, Zhor Raïs continues to express herself through a garment that «proves tradition can be modern, mobile, and universal». Creation: Zhor Raïs
