Mystical Marrakech

Marrakech in the winter is a very different place, you'd expect sunshine and the hustle and bustle of the souk!  Temperatures drop, rain falls and the easiness and relaxed mood of wandering around the Medina's rabbit warren streets disappears. I spent most of my time dodging the rain in a flimsy t-shirt and cardigan, but it didn't dampen my of love shopping and discovery.


I became obsessed with light fittings and spent most of the time looking up discovering the most exquisite and eclectic mix of lights. 

My personal favourite, blue glass chandelier

Mosaic glass Light from Dar Bou Ziane Marrakech

Green blown glass light 

Exquisite metal light  

French style glass light

Glass light with coloured glass stones

Street lights

I was very lucky to have an amazing host the designer Adriana Bittencout who spends half the year living in the heart of the Medina in a house designed by the renowned decorator and architect Bill Willis. He designed 2 houses for Yves Saint Laurent and took Jean Paul Getty and his new bride Talitha on their honeymoon to Marrakech for the first time.  His style is very distinctive and one of his signatures is the amazing fireplace he built in many of the homes he worked on.

Bill Willis fireplace

Courtyard

Guest bedroom

It was here in the house I had drinks with the amazing Andre Leon Talley and the fabulous Miss Jay, we were all staying at the incredible La Mamounia hotel. From the balcony of my bedroom the view was magnificent, lush vegetation surrounding the hotel and in the distance the incredible snow capped Atlas mountains, absolute heaven on earth. 

Andre Leon Talley

Miss Jay

One of the lobby's in La Mamounia

Room with a view

Racing through the narrow streets trying not to get soaked in the afternoon downpour I took refuge in the many delightful shops. One of my favourite discoveries was La Maison du Kaftan Morocain where I could have easily spent the whole afternoon rifling through 3 floors of vintage kaftans, I found every style of kaftan imaginable, it was absolute bliss. I was also inspired by a wall of multicoloured drawers at Khartit Mustapha, it could solve my problem of the hundred plus shoe's and their boxes I have in my bedroom. They could now be easily hidden away in the drawers and create a colourful wall feature. A trip to Marrakech is not complete without sampling the delicious dates that are sold and beautifully displayed in the central square of the Medina.

One of the many walls of kaftans at La Maison du Kaftan Morocain

Antique inscribed pot at Dar bou Ziane

Multicoloured drawers at Khartit Mustapha

Berber jewellery 

Date stall

Dinner that night was at Le Comptoir restaurant which serves traditional Morrocan cuisine with a wonderful twist. Mid way through our starters I noticed a group of women walking effortlessley down the central stairway with trays full of lit candles balanced on their heads. They then proceeded to dance and twirl around our tables, definitely an excellent lesson on deportment but not one to be tried at home alone incase you catch the curtains alight. The whole restaurant erupted into music and dancing, following these women were the most amazing group of belly dancers of various shapes and sizes, each one equally as sexy as the last. Our table was swiftly cleared and a belly dancer hopped up and gave us a private belly dance, we were all totally mesmerised as were most of the male group on the table next to us who beckoned her over to dance for them. Even Miss Jay gave her a run for her money and not only with his dancing but in the style stakes too. On his feet were a beautiful pair of embroidered slippers with the Sun, Moon and Stars.  I forgot to ask if he purchased them here, ah well I'll have to add that to my shopping list for next time.

Candle dancers

Belly dancer

 Belly Dancer

Miss Jay sure knows how to move

The Sun, Moon & Stars