Shortly after its highly-successful, third trunk show on Moda Operandi over the holidays, Zyne brings its covetable babouches to Dubai. The Moroccan footwear brand, which launched in 2016, is available for purchase at Bergdorf Goodman in New York City, Lane Crawford in Shanghai and Hong Kong, and now, at Dubai’s Level Shoes. “Launching at Level is actually amazing for us because it is such a prestigious store,” Zyne founder Zineb Britel tells Vogue Arabia about debuting at the Dubai Mall’s luxury shoe metropolis. “Our goal was to sell at Level Shoes since the inception of the brand.” Zyne’s debut comes in the form of a need-it-now range of sparkling pointed-toe mules.
The footwear label pays homage to the traditional Moroccan babouche by re-inventing it in a more contemporary way. “The babouche is the iconic shoe worn throughout Morocco for traditional events. It is a classic piece of culture, craftsmanship, and heritage,” Britel, whose previous stints include Dior and Sonia Rykiel, says. “By imbuing the classic slipper with the spirit of wanderlust and glamour, the Zyne babouche brings Moroccan tradition into the 21st century.” And when it comes to the international runways, the babouche is experiencing a revival of sorts. Shown in Loewe’s Spring 2018 show, the style comes in the form of a leather, pointed-toe sneaker with a curved tip directly inspired by the babouche slipper.
But the appeal of Zyne’s cult footwear goes beyond fashion. Featuring beaded embellishments and colorful overlays, each leather slipper is meticulously handmade by women cooperatives in the community. These coops are dedicated to improving the welfare of local women by inviting them to provide for their families via the production of the mules, as well as promoting the preservation of the forgotten craftsmanship in the North African country.
“Each pair of shoes you purchase brightens up the life of another woman”
“We want to preserve heritage skills while inspiring the next generation of artisans” says Britel. “It’s a movement to create female entrepreneurs who are agents of change in their community. It is built on traditional, sustainable practices and fair trade. What a feeling to know that the shoe you are wearing is unique by its beading. We have to preserve craftsmanship!”
Courtesy of Zyne
Zyne’s new collection is available at Level Shoes online, and in store.
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