Rediscover Yves Saint Laurent's Marrakech
Marrakech is a city of bold, immediate impressions: jostling souks, fragrant kitchens, towering mosques, and the carnival atmosphere of Jemaa el-Fna that leaves an indelible mark on every visitor.
But if one aspect lingers, it will likely be the city’s enchanting color palette and light – the medina's ancient walls shimmer in pinkish ocher at sunrise; public gardens bloom in vivid greens and blues; shop displays dazzle with caftans in every conceivable hue.
These tones certainly influenced one of the city’s best-known devotees, Yves Saint Laurent, and propelled him beyond the restrained couture palette of his era. Saint Laurent’s longtime partner in business and life, Pierre Bergé reminisced, “It was in Marrakech that Yves discovered color,” underscoring the profound impact the city had on Saint Laurent's creative evolution.
“On every street corner in Marrakech, you encounter astonishingly vivid groups of men and women, which stand out in a blend of pink, blue, green, and purple caftans.”
Marrakech, in return, embraced the designer, its rich tapestry of color and pattern providing endless inspiration - The old city's labyrinthine streets, brimming with artisans, vivid djellabas, and intricate mosaics, continue to celebrate this symbiotic relationship. The Musée Yves Saint Laurent stands as a monument to this legacy, inviting visitors to explore the depth of the designer's connection with Morocco.
Saint Laurent's Marrakech
Fashion First: Musée Yves Saint Laurent
This museum, designed by the French architectural firm Studio KO, stands as a testament to the intertwined relationship between Saint Laurent and Marrakech. Its facade, reminiscent of a weave of fabric, encases a world where fashion meets art. The museum, adjacent to the lush Jardin Majorelle, offers an immersive experience of Saint Laurent's legacy, featuring a vast collection of his creations alongside exhibitions that draw from the extensive archives of the Fondation Pierre Bergé - Yves Saint Laurent.
“When Yves Saint Laurent discovered Marrakech in 1966, it was such a shock that he immediately decided to acquire a house and return on a regular basis. Fifty years later, it is therefore perfectly natural to build a museum there devoted to his work, which owed so much to this country.”
Natural Inspiration: Jardin Majorelle
Built by painter and avid plant collector Jacques Majorelle, and restored and replanted by Bergé and Saint Laurent, the two-and-a-half-acre garden is home to over 200 varieties of plants and reflects Saint Laurent's own design philosophy—bold, vibrant, and diverse. For an extra pop of color, Saint Laurent added brightly painted pots among the greens. Majorelle’s boxy art deco studio, painted an electric cobalt blue known as bleu Majorelle, houses the Berber Museum, Morocco’s first, containing the private collection of indigenous jewelry, costumes, and weavings amassed by Saint Laurent and Bergé over the years. Today, with over 900,000 visitors a year, Jardin Majorelle is one of Morocco’s most popular sites.
Villa Oasis: At Home in the City
Built in 1923, Villa Oasis was Jacques Majorelle’s home until the early 1960s. The villa was renovated by Bill Willis, a legendary American interior decorator and longtime Marrakech resident, who, according to Bergé, kept 'Majorelle’s essence and spirit. It’s a masterwork of traditional wood carving and stenciling, with intricate tilework and cedar panels painted in Moroccan motifs. Acera Travel offers guests exclusive private tours that provide a unique glimpse into the lives of its famous inhabitants.
Menara Gardens: A Serene Escape
During their early years in Marrakech, Saint Laurent and Bergé followed local tradition and lounged on carpets, brewed tea, and passed lazy afternoons in the shade of the palm, fruit, and olive trees of Jardin Menara, a 220-acre park that dates to the twelfth century. While carpets and teapots are less common today, Menara remains especially popular on weekends and offers stunning views from a reflecting pool facing the Atlas Mountains.
Block Party: Jemaa el-Fna
The energetic heart of this opulent, open city takes on the character of a carnival every day. The snake charmers, acrobats, and gnawa musicians on the UNESCO-listed square fascinated Saint Laurent when he arrived in Marrakech. Little has changed since (old photographs of Laurent in the square could easily have been taken today). The raucous site comes to life at dusk when food stalls set up for dinner and smoke hovers over vendors selling bowls of snails in a spicy broth, grilled merguez sausages, and other favorite dishes.
Everything Emporium: The Souks
The heart of Marrakech beats strongest in its souks, a maze of commerce and craftsmanship. Here, traditional Moroccan life unfolds amidst the alleys, offering everything from leather goods to handwoven textiles. The souks are not just markets but a vibrant expression of Marrakech's enduring artisanal spirit, inviting visitors to lose themselves in the rich tapestry of Moroccan culture. It’s best to wander somewhat aimlessly through the labyrinth of narrow alleys and allow your senses to guide you. Rue Bab Doukkala gives you a feel for local life, with fruit vendors, public bread ovens, cobblers, and narrow barbershops. Take a break from haggling, the ping of shopkeepers’ hammers, and sinus-clearing mounds of spices with a cup of mint tea at Café des Épices on the medina’s “spice square.
Experiencing Marrakech Through Design Today
Artisanal Innovations: A New Wave of Craftsmanship
Marrakech's souks, a labyrinth of creativity, are witnessing a renaissance of artisanal innovation. Here, new generations of artisans are reinterpreting Morocco's rich heritage of craftsmanship through a contemporary lens. This fusion of traditional techniques with modern design is evident in every corner of the bustling markets. Leatherworkers, for instance, are crafting bespoke pieces that marry the meticulous methods passed down through generations with sleek, contemporary aesthetics. Similarly, potters and textile weavers are experimenting with forms, materials, and patterns to produce items that resonate with modern consumers while preserving the soul of traditional Moroccan artisanship. These artisans are not just preserving ancient crafts; they are reimagining them, ensuring their relevance in a globalized world and offering visitors unique souvenirs that embody the spirit of modern Marrakech.
Contemporary Art Scene: A Canvas of Modern Expression
Marrakech's contemporary art scene is a dynamic arena that showcases the city's vibrant cultural evolution. Institutions like the Museum of African Contemporary Art Al Maaden (MACAAL) and creative spaces like Le 18 are at the forefront of this movement, offering platforms for both established and emerging Moroccan and African artists. These venues highlight the diversity and depth of modern artistic expression, from cutting-edge installations and multimedia art to contemporary painting and sculpture, providing a vibrant contrast to the city's historical aesthetics. Through exhibitions, workshops, and cultural events, these spaces foster a dialogue between the past and the present, between local and global perspectives, making Marrakech a vital hub for contemporary art in Africa. For visitors, the city's flourishing art scene offers a window into the narratives, challenges, and aspirations that shape contemporary Moroccan identity.
Architectural Harmony: Blending the Ancient with the Avant-Garde
Marrakech's architectural landscape is evolving, with new developments that pay homage to its historic past while embracing the possibilities of modern design. This architectural harmony is evident in projects that incorporate traditional Moroccan elements — such as intricate tile work, carved wood, and riad courtyards — with sleek, contemporary lines and sustainable building practices. Luxury hotels, cultural institutions, and private residences alike are examples of this blend, offering spaces that feel at once deeply rooted in Moroccan traditions and strikingly modern. Architects and designers are mindful of the city's aesthetic and environmental legacy, using local materials and techniques to create buildings that are both innovative and respectful of their context. This approach not only enriches Marrakech's urban fabric but also sets a precedent for thoughtful, culturally sensitive development in historic cities worldwide.
Cultural Festivals: Celebrating Marrakech's Artistic Spirit
Marrakech is a city that celebrates its cultural diversity and artistic heritage with an array of festivals throughout the year. These events, ranging from the Marrakech Biennale to the International Film Festival and beyond, showcase the city's rich cultural fabric and serve as a source of inspiration for creatives from around the globe. The festivals offer a platform for artistic exchange and collaboration, highlighting traditional and contemporary arts, cinema, literature, and music. They not only attract international artists and enthusiasts but also spotlight local talent, providing them with the opportunity to gain wider recognition. For visitors, these festivals offer a unique way to experience the city's vibrant cultural life and engage with its artistic communities. Through these celebrations, Marrakech reinforces its position as a cultural capital, where the arts serve as a bridge between cultures and a catalyst for creative innovation.
“One morning we awake and the sun had appeared. A Moroccan sun that probes every recess and corner. The birds were singing, the snow capped Atlas Mountains blocked the horizon, and the perfume of jasmine rose to our room. We would never forget that morning, since in a certain way, it decided our destiny.”
Yves Saint Laurent once found his muse in Marrakech's embrace, and today, the city continues to unfold as a canvas of limitless inspiration. For those who seek to rediscover Marrakech through Saint Laurent's eyes, the journey is not just about tracing the footsteps of a legendary designer but about experiencing the ongoing dialogue between the city's historical soul and its vibrant future. Marrakech invites us all to explore its enchanting streets, to uncover the magic that sparked a revolution in the world of fashion, and to find our own inspiration within its walls.
Thus, Marrakech remains not just a destination but a perpetual source of inspiration - a place where every alleyway, every garden, and every piece of art tells a story of a city forever in bloom, continually reinventing itself while staying rooted in the rich soil of its past. In this ever-evolving city, the legacy of Yves Saint Laurent and the spirit of Marrakech weave together, creating a tapestry that invites exploration, discovery, and endless fascination.
Discover Saint Laurent’s beloved city with Acera Travel - visit his favorite spots and some new ones, shop at elite jewelry and rug workshops, learn about Berber patterns and their symbolism, and have the opportunity to talk with women embroidering ornate caftans and djellabas.
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