Making The Modern Babouche

The babouche, or Moroccan slipper, is a soft, curious thing. It has been worn by Moroccans for centuries and was embraced most vehemently by 17th-century French courtiers, for whom the slipper may have suggested an easy, nonchalant way of life — one where walking was perhaps not always necessary.  Today, it remains an essential element of the Moroccan dress. Everywhere you will see them scuffling about through Marrakech's narrow alleys, feet enveloped in large, boat-like babouches with pillow-soft soles and toes so whimsically pointy and elfin they curl upward.

The shoe is constructed with pliable leather that has been repeatedly cleaned and dried until it reaches peak softness — so soft that it struggles to keep its shape — and worn in a dizzying array of colours and patterns. 

I would see them everywhere, and loved them, knowing however that I would never wear them. Venturing deep into the souks, I set off in search of someone who could make a pair I’d wear. Something simple, quiet and long-lasting. I came across a man selling modern versions of the babouche covered in everything from leopard print and metallic snakeskin to slippers adorned in gold tassels and orange pom poms. He said he can make anything I wanted. Anything at all. In fact, his workshop was just around the corner, and his leather stock just across the street. So we went. And we made shoes. Lots of shoes.