Departures Middle East Summer 2019

DEPARTURES TRAVEL MARKET WATCH
26
Riad Yima
Pop Art photographer and
designer Hassan Hajjaj
runs this vibrant gallery/
shop/cafe – awash in
colour and packed with
eclectic goods –
in a refurbished home in
the medina. Everything
inside is for sale, including
babouche slippers,
upcycled Coca-Cola-crate
benches and Hajjaj’s own
street portraits of
Moroccan fashionistas
(he’s known as the Andy
Warhol of Marrakech).
Despite the
overstimulating decor, it’s
still less frantic than
walking through the
souks. riad​yima.com
La Famille
Offering some of the
best views in the city
(and a welcome
respite from the souks
and sun), this leafy
rooftop restaurant
specialises in vegetarian
dishes like aubergineand-mint
hummus,
grilled-fennel tagliatelle
and homemade cakes.
A boutique selling
crafts, homewares and
jewellery recently
opened at the stylish
spot. Also for sale are
the intricate ceramics
and glassware used in
the restaurant.
+212 5243 85295
Lalla
As one of the most
in-demand personal
shoppers in Marrakech,
with clients that include
Sarah Jessica Parker and
Gwyneth Paltrow, Laetitia
Trouillet can skillfully
navigate the city’s souks.
Her itinerary may include
her own space, Lalla,
which is filled with
handbags, home
accessories and vintage
wares in styles you won’t
see elsewhere. For
souvenirs, check out
the pouches fashioned
from vintage Moroccan
fabric and handmade
accessories for the hair.
lalla.fr
Marrakshi Life
The pieces at fashion photographer Randall Bachner’s clothing store are handwoven and
tailored in the adjacent atelier, where artisans use traditional Moroccan techniques to create
decidedly contemporary yet relaxed looks. The intentionally oversized tailoring on everything
from soft blazers to boxy jumpsuits means everything is unisex. This season, the five- year-old
brand introduced a patchwork of recycled pieces as part of its commitment to zero waste.
marrakshi​life.com
Max & Jan
This airy, whitewashed
space has everything from
sleek leather bags to bold
jewellery, but regulars go
for the contemporary
clothing by Belgian
owners Maximilian Scharl
and Jan Pauwels. It’s a
combination of urban
streetwear and traditional
Moroccan elegance:
colourful prints on
billowing harem trousers,
flowy tunics, jumpsuits
made with interesting
fabrics. The recently
opened rooftop
restaurant, which serves
updated local staples,
overlooks the bustling
medina. maxand​jan.com
From top:
photographer
Hassan Hajjaj’s
tearoom-cum-shop
Riad Yima; the
industrial interior of
Max & Jan
FROM TOP: HASSAN HAJJAJ; MARC VAN VAEK