How the kholkhal became the essential accessory of Moroccan summer

Last summer in Agadir, I counted: nine out of ten women were wearing a kholkhal on Marina Beach. This jewel, which had almost disappeared twenty years ago, is quickly regaining popularity on Moroccan ankles.

"My mother looked at me strangely when I started wearing them," says Yasmine, 28, a graphic designer in Casablanca. "Now she's the one asking me where to buy hers." This generational shift perfectly illustrates the comeback of this age-old accessory.

AZOR spotted this trend before anyone else. Their collection of kholkhals—from the mysterious Luna to the romantic Papiyona—caters to every taste. As a result, their anklets are selling out faster than they can produce them.

What explains this comeback? First, the influence of social media. Gulf fashion influencers have brought the kholkhal back into fashion. Their Instagram posts featuring gold-adorned anklets have attracted a lot of attention in Morocco. Our local designers have followed suit.

Then, this new generation of Moroccan women fully embraces their cultural heritage. Wearing a kholkhal becomes an act of activism, a way of saying "I am proud of my roots." Unlike their mothers who associated this jewelry with the "bled," they see it as authenticity.

The diversity of AZOR models allows everyone to find their own style. The Danse du Ciel kholkhal with its celestial motifs appeals to dreamers. The bell model delights those who like to stand out. The Papiyona conquers romantics with its golden butterflies.

Fatima, a spa owner in Marrakech, has observed the evolution: "Three years ago, none of my clients wore kholkhal. Today, it's the opposite. They arrive with their ankles adorned and ask me for specialized treatments to enhance them."

This democratization is accompanied by a qualitative revolution. AZOR's 18-carat gold kholkhals last a lifetime, unlike plated imitations that tarnish upon first contact with salt water. At Oualidia beach, I ran into Aicha, who has been wearing hers for two consecutive summers: "Impeccable, as the first day."

The price, between 1,390 and 2,500 dirhams depending on the model, democratizes access to this luxury. My student cousin bought the Kholkhal Luna with her summer job savings. "It's my fashion investment of the year," she admits.

This trend transcends social class. In Rabat's affluent neighborhoods as well as in working-class medinas, the kholkhal is proudly displayed. It becomes an invisible link between all Moroccan women, regardless of their age or background.