THIS AUGUST, Rustan’s brings the heart of Morocco to the Philippines at the 5th Level of Rustan’s Makati.
The month-long festival, titled “Le Coeur du Maroc”(The Heart of Morocco) — held in partnership with HSBC, Fairmont Makati, and the Moroccan National Tourism Office — features a wide range of authentic Moroccan home items, fashion pieces, and beauty products, and even Moroccan cuisine.
Available are intricately decorated tajines and ceramic plates, handmade rugs, baskets and bags, a variety of Moroccan tea glasses hand-painted by artisans from Casablanca, as well as lanterns, lamps, and silverware hand-hammered by master metalworkers.
As Morocco is the only place to get authentic argan oil — produced from the kernels of the argan tree that is endemic to Morocco, and often referred to as “liquid gold” — Rustan’s also presents a variety of serums and soaps infused with argan oil, as well as 100% pure argan oil.
There is also a selection of accessories and fashion pieces featuring intricate hand embroidery and beading. The babouche — flat, slipper-like shoes with an exaggerated point at the toes — will also be found in Rustan’s.
There will be an array of scarves, kaftans, and djellaba — both traditional and modern — and fashion jewelry accessories like tassel earrings and beaded necklaces.
For something special, Moroccan designer Fatim-Zahra Ettalbi will be visiting the country in August to showcase her collection in a by-invite only event.
To give visitors a true feel of Morocco as they shop, Moroccan musicians will be performing at the retail floor from Aug. 1 to 8, while artisans will offer henna painting from Aug. 1 to 8 (free for a minimum purchase of P3,000 of Moroccan merchandise). They can also join the Arabic calligraphy demo workshop on Aug. 1-10, for a minimum purchase of P5,000 worth of Moroccan merchandise.
For the first week of the Festival, one of Morocco’s best known chefs, Moha Fedal, will be working at Rustan’s Casablanca Café. The celebrity chef will host special cooking demos (the final schedule of activities will be announced soon).
