Our Artisan Selection Process
How We Select
Artisans.
Not every skilled craftsperson becomes a Moroccan Corridor® partner. Our selection process is rigorous, personal, and built on five non-negotiable criteria.
Why Selection Matters
The quality of the product
begins with the person.
At Moroccan Corridor®, we do not source from catalogues, trade fairs, or wholesale platforms. Every artisan in our network was identified through direct fieldwork — visits to medinas, workshops, cooperatives, and craft schools across Tétouan, Chefchaouen, Fez, and Marrakech. Our selection process is the foundation of our quality guarantee and our ethical sourcing commitment.
We currently work with a deliberately small number of artisan partners. We believe that depth of relationship produces better work than breadth of supply. Every partner we add to our network goes through the same process, regardless of how they were referred or how long they have been practising their craft.
Our Five Selection Criteria
What we look for.
In every artisan.
01
Technical Mastery
We assess the artisan’s command of their core technique — whether that is hand-tooling and embossing leather, vegetable tanning, flat-weave kilim construction, or Sabra silk knotting. We look for precision, consistency, and the kind of fluency that only comes from years of dedicated practice. We do not work with artisans who are still developing foundational skills.
02
Authenticity of Method
We verify that the artisan uses traditional, authentic production methods — not shortcuts or industrial substitutes. For leather goods, this means hand-stitching, hand-tooling, and vegetable-tanned hides. For textiles, this means hand-loomed or hand-knotted construction using natural fibres. We do not partner with workshops that use machine stitching, synthetic materials, or chrome-tanned leather while presenting their work as traditional.
03
Working Conditions
We visit every workshop before entering a partnership and conduct regular follow-up visits. We assess the physical environment, the working hours, the presence of any child labour, and the general dignity of the working conditions. Any workshop that does not meet our minimum standards is not eligible for partnership, regardless of the quality of the work produced.
04
Reliability and Capacity
We assess whether the artisan can deliver consistent quality at the volumes we require, within realistic timeframes. We do not overload artisan partners with orders that compromise their quality or their wellbeing. We look for artisans who are honest about their capacity and who communicate proactively when timelines are at risk.
05
Shared Values
We look for artisans who take pride in their craft, who care about the quality of what they produce, and who share our belief that Moroccan handmade goods deserve to be valued and priced accordingly. We do not work with artisans who are primarily motivated by volume or who are willing to cut corners to increase output. The best partnerships are built on mutual respect for the work itself.
Our Onboarding Process
From first meeting
to first order.
Step 1 — Discovery
We identify potential artisan partners through direct fieldwork, referrals from existing partners, and visits to craft schools and cooperatives. We never select an artisan without meeting them in person at their workshop.
Step 2 — Assessment
We conduct a structured assessment visit, evaluating the artisan against our five selection criteria. We review samples of their work, observe their production process, and assess their working conditions. This visit typically takes a full day.
Step 3 — Trial Order
If the assessment is positive, we place a small trial order — typically 3–5 pieces — to evaluate the artisan’s output against our quality standards in a real production context. We provide detailed feedback on every piece.
Step 4 — Partnership
If the trial order meets our standards, we formalise the partnership with a written agreement covering pricing, quality expectations, delivery timelines, and our ethical sourcing requirements. We then begin regular ordering and maintain an ongoing relationship with scheduled visits and open communication.
Questions
Frequently Asked
Questions.
How do you find your artisan partners?
We identify potential artisan partners through direct fieldwork — visits to medinas, workshops, cooperatives, and craft schools across Tétouan, Chefchaouen, Fez, and Marrakech. We never select an artisan without meeting them in person at their workshop. We do not source from catalogues, trade fairs, or wholesale platforms.
What are your five artisan selection criteria?
We assess every artisan against five non-negotiable criteria: (1) Technical Mastery — precision and fluency in their core technique; (2) Authenticity of Method — traditional production methods, no industrial shortcuts; (3) Working Conditions — safe, dignified environment with no child labour; (4) Reliability and Capacity — consistent quality at realistic volumes; (5) Shared Values — genuine pride in craft and commitment to quality over volume.
How long does the artisan selection process take?
The process has four stages: Discovery (in-person fieldwork), Assessment (a full-day structured visit evaluating all five criteria), Trial Order (3–5 pieces with detailed feedback), and Partnership (written agreement covering pricing, quality, timelines, and ethical sourcing requirements). The full process typically takes several weeks to months before a first regular order is placed.
Do you work with many artisans?
No — deliberately. We work with a small number of carefully selected master artisans and cooperatives. We believe that depth of relationship produces better work than breadth of supply. Every piece in our collection can be traced back to a specific workshop and a specific pair of hands.
Do you visit artisan workshops regularly?
Yes. We visit every workshop before entering a partnership and conduct regular follow-up visits throughout the relationship. These visits allow us to verify working conditions, assess quality consistency, and maintain the direct relationship that is central to our model.
Can an artisan apply to work with Moroccan Corridor®?
Yes. While most of our artisan partners are identified through direct fieldwork, we welcome approaches from craftspeople who believe their work meets our criteria. Any artisan who contacts us will go through the same structured assessment process as any other candidate — no exceptions and no shortcuts.
Our Network
Our artisan network is small by design. We would rather work deeply with a few exceptional craftspeople than superficially with many. Every piece in our collection can be traced back to a specific workshop and a specific pair of hands.
