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Often described as the rising star in the French political scene, French-Moroccan Karim Bouamrane stands as a strong candidate for the position of Prime Minister in France.
Born in 1973 to Moroccan immigrant parents, Karim Bouamrane, the current socialist mayor of Saint-Ouen, had an exceptional journey that is leading him to the position of Prime Minister, garnering admiration in France, Europe, and even the United States.
Bouamrane, the youngest in a family led by a mason, initially made his mark in politics with the Communist Party before joining the Socialist Party. After working in cybersecurity in Silicon Valley, he returned to France to become the mayor of Saint-Ouen in 2020, the city where he grew up, while also launching his own business.
He gained significant recognition during the Paris Olympics, hosting Brazilian athletes in Saint-Ouen. Known for his leftist values, he also emphasizes authority, security, and patriotism.
With a master’s degree in economics and European law, Bouamrane held a leadership role in a cybersecurity company at the dawn of the internet, which allowed him to travel extensively, including to the U.S. In 1995, he was elected to the Saint-Ouen municipal council and later became the Socialist Party’s spokesperson.
Dubbed the “Obama of the Seine” by the German newspaper Die Welt, Bouamrane is praised for his political acumen and impeccable style. His potential as a future Prime Minister is recognized by both allies and opponents, including a close associate of President Emmanuel Macron.
His reputation has even reached the U.S., with The New York Times highlighting his inspiring story as the son of an illiterate Moroccan immigrant who worked on construction sites in Paris.
Supported by influential figures like former Minister Jean-Louis Borloo and banker Matthieu Pigasse, Bouamrane is seen as a transformative leader. His name is frequently mentioned in discussions about future Prime Ministers, reflecting his growing influence and the possibility of making history as a prominent political leader in France.
Mayor of Saint-Ouen-sur-Seine, Karim Bouamrane poses during a photo session in his office in Saint-Ouen-sur-Seine, northern surburb of Paris, on February 15, 2024. Saint-Ouen-sur-Seine, suburban city of Paris will be one of the host cities for the Paris 2024 Olympics. (Photo by JOEL SAGET / AFP)
This January, Sara Chraibi, founder of Maison Sara Chraibi presented for the first time at Paris Haute Couture Week. The Moroccan designer greatly impressed critics with her collection which combines traditional Moroccan craftsmanship with modern elements and materials for a unique style that celebrates her heritage but also appeals to the contemporary woman.
After living in Paris and working as an architect for several years, Chraibi returned to her home country to establish her fashion brand. It was a major shift in cultures but she wanted to be in her homeland in order to find ways to embrace the traditional craftsmanship techniques and find new ways to express this as a form of contemporary luxury. Her designs are deeply rooted in traditions but also appeal to the wider world. This season Chraibi presented her Spring/Summer 2023 collection at Paris Fashion Week after being invited by the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode to showcase her designs to the world. Here we find out more about the experience and what we can expect to see from her brand moving forward.
Tell us a little about how your brand came to life.
I grew up in an environment of art and culture. As a child, I was introduced to sewing and embroidery by my mother. After my architectural studies in Rabat, I moved to Paris where I wrote a diploma (DEA) in “Philosophy and Theory of Architecture”. In Paris, my passion for fashion and couture is nourished by the vitality and creativity of the city. Alongside my job as an architect, I then began to draw, sew and embroider a multitude of couture pieces.
In 2012, I presented my first collection “Anatomic Architecture” during the final of a Competition organized by “Ateliers de Paris”. In the same year, I participated in Festimode Casablanca Fashion Week where the models paraded in front of the Casablanca cathedral. Greeted unanimously by the public and the press, these first appearances were the beginning of my professional retraining.
Congratulations on the Spring/Summer 2023 collection – tell us about this collection and how it came to life.
When I started working on this collection, I wanted to share several elements of my personal story, my influences and my sensitivity to the world. I had this idea of weaving a collection where each thread would represent part of the story: beginning with the architecture, the relationship to the structure of the garment, then there is the know-how, coming from a Moroccan textile tradition and the memory of the elegance of Moroccan women, there is this double culture that makes the originality of my point of view on fashion. I wanted to weave all this together and make it into a framework to tell a new reality.
This was your first time showing at such a level tell us about your experience being a guest member of the FMHC.
For me, Haute couture is a dream, a celebration of uniqueness and being part of it as a guest member is a milestone for my brand.
Can you tell us about some of the traditional techniques that you used in your designs and how you have evolved the techniques and craftsmanship to give them a modern twist?
With my work, I take patterns, shapes and ancient techniques from Morocco but I add a certain twist or reinvent them in a new way. For example, I used the “sfifa” weaving technique to create a fabric rather than using it as an ornament, as is done traditionally. I mixed raw materials from Morocco, and I used golden thread and silk fringe to build garments as a link between two cultures and realities. I see traditional craftsmanship both as an inspiration and a call to innovation.
How do your heritage and upbringing influence your work today?
My brand is built around the Moroccan art of living, my architectural background and my interest in couture know-how inspire it. My brand aesthetic evolves around the idea of subdued femininity. With a timeless approach to eveningwear, I merge the East and West through one-of-a-kind couture garments.
Tell us about your first memory of fashion.
I remember times before my mother had an important party, we would stroll from stall to stall in the markets in search of fabric and she would make dresses from scratch. I would sit next to her and watch her assemble the pieces of fabric one by one and sculpt the garment. At that time I started to collect fabric scraps to in turn sew something for my barbie doll. There was something magical about those moments. As I grew up, I remember my impatience to get dressed for these events; to put on a beautiful dress, to finally be part of the adult world, with all those sophisticated ladies, perfumed, richly adorned in silk and lace, with an appearance that made everyone’s heads turn. The women of Morocco are beautiful and sensual and wearing a caftan is an ancestral tradition, a ritual that is passed down from mother to daughter.
How do you think your background in architecture has influenced your designs and the way you put looks together?
I quickly realised that fashion and architecture could share the same vision. As an architect, I liked the modern period. In my clothing designs, I am influenced by modern architecture. All my attention goes to the purity of the lines, to the elegance and the lightness of the structure, it is a sort of quest for the essential.
What is the vision for your brand moving forward?
For me, succeeding in the world of fashion comprises several essential elements: commercial success, of course, but also and above all, success together as a team to share values and wealth, to ensure that each person in the company grows through their work. There is also a cultural success, where in addition to offering products, a brand manages to permanently establish its universe in the collective imagination. That’s all I want to achieve for my brand.
Who are some of the designers or brands that you admire?
Madeleine Vionnet, Jeanne Lanvin, and Elsa Schiaparelli, all made contemporary fashion history with a feminine point of view. I also admired Lee McQueen’s vision and Azzedine Alaia’s sharpness.
There are few brands from the Arab region that have managed to reach success on a global level – what is your opinion on this and what advice would you give to aspiring designers in the Middle East?
I wish that there are more and more brands with an Arab or oriental DNA on the international scene. Fashion is a great tool of soft power. Each new designer who launches in the region is responsible for spreading our culture to the rest of the world.
In this issue we are celebrating the month of Ramadan, what does this time mean to you and how will you be spending it this year?
Ramadan is one of my favourite times of the year. It’s time to reconnect with our faith. I like to spend it with my family and friends, to celebrate with pride and joy and I also like to share iftar with my non-Muslim friends.
What is next for you this year and for the rest of the year?
I’m working on the Maison Sara Chraibi Fall/Winter 2023 couture collection. I will also launch an e-commerce site later in the year.
What can you tell us about your brand in the Middle East and can we expect to see you here soon?
I plan to do some trunk shows in the Middle East over the coming months. The Middle East is an important market for my brand and It’s very important to establish long-term commercial partnerships there.
While aspiring to become a boxing champion, Taghmaoui’s fascination with cinema eventually led him to pursue a career in acting.
French-Moroccan Actor Said Taghmaoui has solidified his presence in the Hollywood industry, successfully securing various roles alongside renowned stars.
His latest endeavor sees him teaming up with Golden Globe nominee Mark Wahlberg in an upcoming feature film called “The Family Plan,” produced by Apple Original Films and Skydance.
Written by David Coggeshall, “The Family Plan” follows the story of a suburban father who finds himself on the run with his family when his past catches up to him.
The movie is directed by Simon Cellan Jones and produced by Wahlberg, Municipal Pictures’ Stephen Levinson, and Skydance’s David Ellison, Dana Goldberg, and Don Granger.
In addition to “The Family Plan,” Taghmaoui has also landed a role in the action-packed film “Tin Soldier,” which boasts an impressive cast including Oscar winners Jamie Foxx and Robert De Niro, as well as Scott Eastwood.
During a recent interview with French lecturer and essayist Idriss Jamil Aberkane, Taghmaoui opened up about his journey as an actor. He described himself as an “autodidact,” highlighting the fact that he didn’t attend school but instead pursued his passions with unwavering dedication.
Recalling his boxing days, the actor expressed how the sport played a significant role in his personal growth. He believes that either boxing chose him or he chose boxing, emphasizing its complexity and the introspection it demanded.
While aspiring to become a boxing champion, Taghmaoui’s fascination with cinema eventually led him to pursue a career in acting.
Born in France to Moroccan immigrant parents, Taghmaoui became a naturalized US citizen in 2008 and swiftly made a name for himself in the Hollywood industry.
Despite dropping out of school at a young age, his boxing talent propelled him to second place in his category in France. It was during this time that he met Mathieu Kassovitz, with whom he co-wrote the acclaimed French film “La haine” (1995), which earned the Best Director award at Cannes.
Since then, Taghmaoui has become a prominent figure in cinema and has expanded his repertoire to include films from various countries, such as Italy, Germany, the United States, and Morocco.
He has featured in Hollywood productions like “G.I. Joe,” “Wonder Woman,” “Traitor,” “John Wick,” and “The Forgiven,” showcasing his versatility and talent as an actor.
NamX’s prototype was unveiled earlier this week. Yet the car will not be available in the market until 2025.
Morocco-French businessman Faouzi Annajah, founder of NamX, has co-created the world’s first car partially powered by a patented removable hydrogen tank system.
NamX’s patented technology consists of a fixed hydrogen tank and six removable capsules.
Set to be released in 2025, NamX responds to the rising demand for hydrogen and hybrid cars amid an increasingly prevailing shift towards clean energy sources and decarbonization worldwide.
“Our double ambition is to become a new reference in the world of zero-emission cars, and to constantly explore new territories to facilitate mobility of our consumers,” Faouzi ANNAJAH, Founder and President of NAMX said in a press release. “ NAMX is a collective project built with the best industrial and technical partners in Europe and Africa.”
The European-African project gathered the support of renowned stakeholders on both continents including Ibrahima Sissoko, founder of over 30 companies, Pierre-Yves Geels, former VP strategy of Matra automotive, Alain Diboine, former Director of the R&D Division at Renault, Mustapha Mokass, clean energy and carbon finance expert, and Raphaël Schoetgen, former Chairman of Hydrogen Europe and international hydrogen expert.
NamX was co-designed by Thomas de Lussac, co-founder of NamX, and Kevin Rice, Chief Creative Officer of Italian car design firm Pininfarina. Inspired by science fiction and American designs of the 50s and 60s, Lussac “chose to give the vehicle’s shape the cutting edge of the coming era.”
NamX is the first car designed by Pininfarina that was created from the back to the front with an eye-catching feature, an X-shaped chassis.
Commenting on the hydrogen SUV, Paolo Pininfarina, President of the Italian design firm, said that “the NAMX HUV [hybrid utility vehicle] is simply at the heart of our DNA: inventing the best driving experience to infinite mobility, with style.”
Upon its release in the final quarter of 2025, NamX will be marketed in two different versions including an entry-level rear-wheel drive with a regulated top speed of 200 km/h and acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.5 seconds. The second option provides a four-wheel drive with a regulated top speed of 250 km/h and acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.5 seconds.
The two versions will have a price tag ranging between €65,000 and €95,000.
The NamX prototype was first unveiled on May 11 in the Pininfarina headquarters in Cambiano. The public will have a glimpse of NamX at the upcoming Paris Motor Show scheduled between October 17 and 23, 2022.
As Annajah’s home country, Morocco might host the production operations of NamX, the founder told a Moroccan news outlet, promising future announcements on the matter.
As a leading African automotive hub, Morocco has attracted renowned international automotive manufacturers including ones interested in developing hybrid and electric cars.
source/content: moroccoworldnews.com
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Faouzi Annajah: Moroccan-French Businessman Behind Hydrogen SUV NamX
With France’s 2022 presidential elections around the corner, Anasse Kazib , a French-Moroccan railroad worker, labor rights activist, and Marxist, has entered the race for the Elysee Palace.
Anasse Kazib was born in 1987 in Sarcelle, the northern suburbs of Paris, to a Moroccan family that emigrated to France in the 1970s to meet the country’s demand for cheap labor.
In July, Kazib, who is an employee of France’s state-owned railroad company (SNCF), announced his “pre-candidacy” for the 2022 presidential elections by launching a “digital campaign” to mobilize support and collect valuable signatures from the electorate.
