The Story of Babouche

Babouche slippers are synonymous with Morocco— and their kaleidoscopic colors are a staple of the souks. But this is also a shoe steeped in centuries of fascinating history.

The French word ‘babouche’ has its origins in the Persian word ‘papus’ (pa means foot and pus means cover) and their use stretches back as far as the second century BC. The slippers then became popular everywhere from the Ottoman empire to the seventeenth century French court. In Morocco, two distinct shapes of babouches took root: the traditional pointed city style, and the more rounded shape rural design. 

By the late nineteenth and early twentieth century, babouches had become synonymous with Morocco in European minds after painters who’d travelled to North Africa featured them in the works inspired by their trips. Henri Mattisse for instance painted Zorah on the Terrace with a pair of babouches beside her after visiting Tangiers. Then in the 1960s, the shoes also became synonymous with bohemian taste makers who adopted the style. 

Open at the heel, babouches are typically made from animal hide. While they can be factory-produced, hand-stitched babouches are made using traditional techniques by leather artisans and dyed using natural pigments. While plain styles are favored for day to day, intricately embroidered and decorated babouches are worn for special occasions such as Eid and weddings. 

Deborah’s recent trip to Morocco inspired reverie, delighted the senses, and brought a new level of fashion ease, in the form of Babouches, to our Brick & Mortar. If you’re in Richmond, come on downtown. There's so much in store to love, including a bouquet of Babouche. Plus, we love seeing you ;-)