Diaspo #393 : Nisrine Kasbaoui's journey to revive Amazigh heritage through fashion
DR
In 2009, Nisrine Kasbaoui, then living in the United States, made a life-changing decision. She didn't return to Morocco for a short family visit or a brief vacation, she came back to reconnect with her roots and identity, and to begin a new chapter that would bring together her Amazigh heritage and her deep passion for fashion.
Nisrine grew up navigating two cultures: Moroccan and American. She spent her childhood in Casablanca, but always felt a strong emotional bond with Khemisset, the hometown of her Amazigh ancestors, where traditions still linger vividly in her memory. In 2000, she moved to the U.S. after getting married, continued her studies, and specialized in optics. Yet fashion remained close to her heart, eventually inspiring her to return to Morocco and launch her own business.
From Personal Need to Cultural Revival: The Birth of a Project
Speaking to Yabiladi, she recalls, «I knew I wasn't just coming back as an expatriate, it was as a woman with a vision and a message». But the road ahead was far from smooth. Back in Morocco, she faced countless administrative hurdles that delayed the launch of her project, while her children's adjustment to their new surroundings required extra care and effort from her as a mother.
«Things weren't easy. Getting my project off the ground took a lot of time and energy. And helping my children adapt, both culturally and emotionally, was a challenge in itself», she recalled.
Her passion for fashion didn't emerge overnight. It was during her years in the U.S. that she began to notice a gap: she struggled to find clothes that felt elegant, comfortable, and unique, for herself and her daughters. «It started with a personal need. I couldn't find styles that felt right for me, so I decided to design them myself, not only to meet my needs, but also to express myself», she says.
The biggest challenge came during the production process. Her designs, which combined Amazigh authenticity with modern aesthetics, required specific craftsmanship that was hard to find in the U.S. As a result, she had to send her prototypes to Morocco and wait for them to be produced, an obstacle that made the early days of her brand especially difficult.
Still, Nisrine pressed on. Her love for design and pride in her Amazigh heritage fueled her determination. After completing a course in fashion design, she returned to Morocco and officially launched her own brand, Amazigh Threads. Through it, she set out to bring Amazigh symbols into contemporary fashion while supporting local artisans and preserving traditional craftsmanship.
«My designs carry a cultural message. I feel like I'm contributing to preserving heritage and strengthening a sense of identity. I also hope to support local artisans and help keep their work alive».
More Than Fashion, A Mission to Honor Ancestral Roots
For Nisrine, fashion isn't just about appearance, it's a creative language through which she tells the story of Amazigh culture. By incorporating symbols, patterns, and traditional color palettes into modern silhouettes, she's breathing new life into ancient traditions and making them accessible to a wider audience, both in Morocco and beyond.
Her exposure to two cultures, Moroccan and American, has given her a unique perspective as a designer. She blends traditional Moroccan aesthetics with modern sensibilities, giving her brand a signature look. «Going back and forth between Morocco and the U.S. helps me grow my market and build a network in the fashion industry», she explains.
To Nisrine, «Amazigh fashion is a vibrant expression of identity in Morocco, and internationally, it's admired as a cultural and artistic symbol that showcases the richness of Moroccan heritage».
Her ultimate dream is to take Amazigh Threads global, to create a visual bridge between cultures and generations, weaving together the past and the future, tradition and innovation. Though she didn't grow up in the same Amazigh environment as her ancestors, she feels deeply rooted in it, and her journey remains closely tied to the thread that binds it all together.
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