Marrakesh mirage: Your ultimate guide to one of the most exotic cities in the world
When Sarah Jessica Parker was staying at La Mamounia during the filming of Sex and the City 2, she was reported to lament that she couldn’t find anything to buy. But how could that be? Isn’t Marrakesh known for its maze of stalls within the ancient walls of the medina? To save you from a similarly disappointing fate, we’ve prepped your ultimate guide to one of the most exotic cities in the world.
Shopping at the Souk
Moroccan markets are full of knockoffs. You’ll find “Alexander McQueen” skull scarves, Moroccan-style slippers in Louis Vuitton monogram and Alhambra-style bracelets that were not made by Van Cleef & Arpels. If you’re tempted, bear in mind that counterfeiting is illegal and supports child labour. While you may pay more at the shops listed below, they offer authentic souvenirs to treasure.
Yahya Création (212-5-24-42-27-76, yahyacreation.com). The market stalls are filled with brass filigree, but none is more exquisite than the examples found in this gallery shop on a quiet side street in Guéliz. Boxes, sconces and chandeliers are engraved with a jeweller’s precision.
Akbar Delights (212-6-71-66-13-07, akbardelights.com). Good luck finding this tiny shop in the twisting lanes of the medina souk. But if you do, you will be rewarded with the prettiest caftans, pillows and slippers.
Moor (212-5-24-45-82-74, akbardelights.com). This Guéliz sister shop to Akbar Delights carries modern-cut tunics in neutral white, taupe and black. Home accessories include traditional marriage contracts carved into wood. If you have time, check out the David Bloch contemporary art gallery across the street.
Riad Nour (212-6-56-04-02-70, nour.com.br). Brazilian designer Adriana Bittencourt, a friend of Gisele Bündchen, runs this appointment-only shop overflowing with diaphanous caftans and dreamy peasant blouses. Celebrity clients love the privacy of the three-storey riad—recent visitors include Barbra Streisand and Tyra Banks.
La Majorelle (212-5-24-31-30-47, jardinmajorelle.com). Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé restored this tropical garden when they bought the grounds in 1980. Bergé still resides here and so does Saint Laurent, in a manner of speaking: His ashes were scattered here. The spot is marked by a simple clay memorial topped by an obelisk, and messages from his devotees are carved into bamboo stalks in the garden. Don’t miss the on-site gallery and gift shop, though some items are pricier than at the souk.
Watch the tour of La Majorelle, including a peek of Saint Laurent’s famed memorial!
![](http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://fashionmagazine.com/style/marrakesh-mirage-your-ultimate-guide-to-one-of-the-most-exotic-cities-in-the-world/&title=Marrakesh mirage: Your ultimate guide to one of the most exotic cities in the world&picture=https://fashionmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/apr11MarrakeshA_lg.jpg&description=[caption id="attachment_36625" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="Bright prints at Akbar Delights"][/caption]
When Sarah Jessica Parker was staying at La Mamounia during the filming of Sex and the City 2, she was reported to lament that she couldn’t find anything to buy. But how could that be? Isn’t Marrakesh known for its maze of stalls within the ancient walls of the medina? To save you from a similarly disappointing fate, we’ve prepped your ultimate guide to one of the most exotic cities in the world.
[caption id="attachment_36626" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="Contemporary caftans at Akbar Delights."][/caption]
Shopping at the Souk
Moroccan markets are full of knockoffs. You’ll find “Alexander McQueen” skull scarves, Moroccan-style slippers in Louis Vuitton monogram and Alhambra-style bracelets that were not made by Van Cleef & Arpels. If you’re tempted, bear in mind that counterfeiting is illegal and supports child labour. While you may pay more at the shops listed below, they offer authentic souvenirs to treasure.
Yahya Création (212-5-24-42-27-76, yahyacreation.com). The market stalls are filled with brass filigree, but none is more exquisite than the examples found in this gallery shop on a quiet side street in Guéliz. Boxes, sconces and chandeliers are engraved with a jeweller’s precision.
Akbar Delights (212-6-71-66-13-07, akbardelights.com). Good luck finding this tiny shop in the twisting lanes of the medina souk. But if you do, you will be rewarded with the prettiest caftans, pillows and slippers.
[caption id="attachment_36627" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="Modern Moroccan Design at Moor."][/caption]
Moor (212-5-24-45-82-74, akbardelights.com). This Guéliz sister shop to Akbar Delights carries modern-cut tunics in neutral white, taupe and black. Home accessories include traditional marriage contracts carved into wood. If you have time, check out the David Bloch contemporary art gallery across the street.
Riad Nour (212-6-56-04-02-70, nour.com.br). Brazilian designer Adriana Bittencourt, a friend of Gisele Bündchen, runs this appointment-only shop overflowing with diaphanous caftans and dreamy peasant blouses. Celebrity clients love the privacy of the three-storey riad—recent visitors include Barbra Streisand and Tyra Banks.
La Majorelle (212-5-24-31-30-47, jardinmajorelle.com). Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé restored this tropical garden when they bought the grounds in 1980. Bergé still resides here and so does Saint Laurent, in a manner of speaking: His ashes were scattered here. The spot is marked by a simple clay memorial topped by an obelisk, and messages from his devotees are carved into bamboo stalks in the garden. Don’t miss the on-site gallery and gift shop, though some items are pricier than at the souk.
Watch the tour of La Majorelle, including a peek of Saint Laurent's famed memorial!
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