The Mansouria, when fashion becomes a political statement

Sultan Ahmed al-Mansur broke with Ottoman-influenced attire introduced by his brother, reviving traditional Moroccan dress as a statement of sovereignty and independence for the Saadi dynasty. He also innovated by introducing the mansuriya, a distinctive garment that became emblematic of Moroccan fashion and culture.

Ahmed al-Mansur, the sixteenth century Moroccan sultan who died of the plague

He fled his beautiful palace in Marrakech and spent months in the countryside to avoid contagion. Saadi sultan Ahmed al-Mansur ended up dying of the plague despite the preventive measures he had taken.