Khettab Said

This shop, in the lovely seaside town of Essaouria near Marrakech, sells high quality and very unusual shoes. It is the only shop that I noticed specialising in shoes made from rafia - plaited and tied coloured straw. There are dainty high heels and flat pointed slippers. I bought 3 pairs of slippers with an open pattern (see photo) for myself and friends. Prices were fixed (as opposed to bartered for) but I asked for a reduction buying 3 pairs, and that was fine. They cost about 100 dirham each pair which works out at about £6 each.

I liked this shop because I've never seen these shoes in London; because the price was good and there was a great selection of designs and colours. They do men's as well. To find the shop, turn left off the main Avenue Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah and walk up Rue Laalouj. In fact I think the business card they gave me may be a little out of date and the shop front is now actually on Rue Laalouj rather than just off Rue Laalouj in the Place El Kheima.

Here are some links I just found for similar shoes in Essaouira:

http://www.capessaouira.com/rafia.htm
http://www.version-babouche.com/collection.php