Modern Moroccan Rugs from 1st Dibs

1960s rug from Mansour

Just because they call it vintage doesn't mean it'll appeal to me, but I do admit a fondness for quirky floor coverings. The last thing I am is a rug aficionado but there's a very modern appeal to these Moroccan wool rugs on offer at 1st Dibs.

Both from Nazmiyal

I love the unusal pale colors, their quirky geometry and dynamic pattern and narrative.

From dealer Nazmiyal

From Doris Leslie Blau

Lalla Links: Seeing red in Pamplona

The Boston Globe's "Big Picture" covers the 2010 San Fermin festival in Pamplona.

Swingy Berber Boho Jazz: Hindi Zahra

I've been impressed with how many artists with Middle Eastern and North African roots the radio program The World has been featuring lately. From contemporary Tunisian oudist Dhafer Youssef to the versatile Venezuelan-Lebanese singer Elizabeth Ayoub (who does country music in Arabic!) but I was really taken with boho French-Moroccan chanteuse Hindi Zahra, who fuses Berber music and lyrics with jazz and funk. They've got a great short interview with her talking about the similarities between James Brown and Berber music ( yes, yes! just listen...)

Layers of Moroccan percussion, that haunting ingenue voice and a visually arresting video (along with what looks like a tuxedo-turned-matador jacket lost in the Amazonian jungle) come together to make this swingy, singable clip (I can't embed it, so you'll simply have to click the link, but here's a preview):

It's a seamless, eclectic mix all her own.

Fashion Friday: MoreCult

The Dutch brand MoreCult produces limited-edition streetwear combining Arabic calligraphy and an urban edge in bright, eye-catching colors.

In collabo with talented graphic designer and calligrapher Pascal Zoghbi, MoreCult puts out an annual line of artful "basics" for men and women : hoodies, tees and sweatpants in coordinating patterns and colors.

The 2010 line features cool, icy blues.

What I like is the clean, European esthetic to these togs.

But what makes me like them even more is Zoghbi's own remark about their most striking feature, the kufi calligraphy:

"it is interesting to see the kufi arabic calligraphic style become the most modern and contemporary arabic style nowadays, knowing that Kufi is the oldest and earliest [of] Arabic calligraphic styles."

Best of all, the sizes are on sale and more designs (including women's) are sure to come.

For current styles, visit MoreCult.

All images courtesy MoreCult website and Pascal Zoghbi.