Departures Hong Kong Summer 2019

DEPARTURES TRAVEL

DEPARTURES TRAVEL MARKET WATCH 20 Shop the Casbah Beyond Berber rugs and baskets: these design, craft and fashion stores are defining Marrakech’s new modernist aesthetic. Riad Jardin Secret The city has no shortage of stylish riads, but this six-room hotel, tucked behind an unmarked doorway in the Bab Doukkala area, stands apart for its playful atmosphere and carefully curated boutique. Created by Parisian fashion couple Cyrielle Astaing and Julien Phomveha, the 20thcentury home is all detailed mosaic tiling, lattice woodwork and splashy textiles. This textured aesthetic extends to their shop, where they carry high-design versions of traditional crafts like kilim pillows and tadelakt clay pots. riad​jardinsecret.com The Moroccans Seed oil derived from the prickly pear cactus, oud-infused argan oil and black soap made from crushed olives are among the organic products at this spot, next to the Jardin Majorelle on Rue Yves Saint Laurent. The store, which supplies Riad Jardin Secret and Aman A light installation by artist Francis Upritchard hangs in El Fenn Boutique Resorts, stocks its beauty line along with home accessories and jewellery from regional designers, including Scandi-Moroccan fashion brand Bougroug, which mixes Norwegian minimalism with local craftsmanship. themoroccans.ma El Fenn Boutique The interiors of the hotel El Fenn are an Instagrammer’s dream, and its bar/ restaurant/shop allows visitors to replicate the look. Items found throughout the hotel – including the handwoven kilim throws on the daybeds – are for sale alongside clothing, jewellery and accessories sourced from the region. The kitsch-free store offers only the most exquisite Moroccan crafts: quality caftans, colourful bread baskets, geometric Fez pottery. El Fenn’s co-owner, Vanessa Branson (sister of Richard and founder of the Marrakech Biennale), also adorns the walls with rotating works from international artists. el-fenn.com LRNCE Belgian designer Laurence Leenaert’s line of modern textiles, ceramics and clothing is a welcome change from the city’s usual wares. Her studio, in an industrial area in the city’s northwest, carries rugs, pitchers, kimonos, sandals and more – all with a sense of whimsy that calls to mind Picasso’s ceramics, Miró’s line drawings, and local tribal patterns. Handcrafted in North Africa, the pieces recently launched at Maison et Objet Paris, and will soon be available in a new medina outpost. lrnce.com LRNCE’s Ruwa carpets are hand-knotted in the Atlas Mountains; left: limited-edition Qalb vases from LRNCE CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: KASIA GATKOWSKA; © LRNCE (2)

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: HASSAN HAJJAJ; MIKAEL FAKHRI; MARC VAN VAEK 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 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 fiveyear-old brand introduced a patchwork of recycled pieces as part of its commitment to zero waste. marrakshi​life.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 Clockwise from top: photographer Hassan Hajjaj’s tearoom-cum-shop Riad Yima; a unisex romper from Marrakshi Life; the industrial interior of Max & Jan 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 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 21 DEPARTURES