Courtesy of Zyne.
Few things are more exciting for a young fashion designer than grabbing the attention of one of the world’s most fashion-savvy royals, and this Moroccan footwear label just got to experience that firsthand. This week, the Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle was visiting Morocco with her husband Prince Harry at the request of Queen Elizabeth, and during the royal visit encountered Zyne, a handmade lineup of raffia slippers, pointed-toe mules, and kitten heels co-founded by Zineb Britel and Laura Pujol.
The former Suits actress, who was visiting Rabat’s Andalusian Gardens to meet with local artisans, stopped by a Zyne booth, where the label’s designs were on full display. “She loved the collection, and was fascinated by the raffia work,” shared Pujol with Vogue.me. “She also liked the fact that everything is handmade,” the designer added.
Laura Pujol and Zineb Britel. Courtesy of Zyne
Reflecting on their conversation, Pujol reveals that the designers spoke to the Duchess about the story behind every pair of shoes, and how each design is handmade by underprivileged women. Considering that the Moroccan slippers, which support fair trade and sustainable practices to preserve local artisanal traditions, invite local women to provide for their families via the production of the footwear, ultimately improving the welfare of themselves and their families, it makes sense that they drew Markle in.
The royal is a well-documented advocate for women’s rights, supporting a number of charities and initiatives that empower underprivileged females. Since joining the royal family as the Duchess of Sussex, Markle has used her platform to highlight a range of important causes and issues focused on women’s rights.
We wouldn’t be surprised if we see the Duchess wearing a Zyne design in the upcoming weeks, more specifically, the El Nido Heel, which according to the duo, she dubbed as “kick ass”.
Courtesy of Zyne.
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