Cool Hunting
Meandering through the souks of Marrakech's infamous buzzing Medina can make you feel as though you've traveled back in time. Linger down the narrow stone streets to find mismatched tins piled high with fresh gem-colored spices and racks teeming with colorful babouches (Moroccan slippers). Or hop a taxi to Le Guéliz, where you'll see young Marrakechis dining al fresco at Parisian-style cafés and toting loads of bags from the latest boutiques. Whichever path you choose to explore and shop, make sure to bring a French dictionary, your best bargaining tools and perhaps an extra suitcase for packing up all your Marrakech discoveries for the return home home.
Shopping the souks requires patience, perseverance, and above all, some friendly pushing. Chaotic doesn't begin to describe it, but to escape the mayhem of the Medina, check into a few nearby stores where you can browse without distraction.
Kulchi
Owner Florence Taranne's international inventory spans from East African textiles to screen-printed t-shirts by Moroccan pop artist Hassan Hajjaj. Vintage Moroccan fabrics are re-envisioned as beach-perfect caftans, while Taranne's in-house label strikes just the right boho balance with tie-dyed blouses and whimsical dresses.
1 Rue Ksour, off Rue Sidi El Yamani
+21 2 4442 9177
Aya's
Famous for its well-tailored tunics, this tiny shop is also known for two very famous visitors: Julia Roberts and Tom Hanks. Browse through an impressive selection of male friendly caftans or an assortment of Indian pashminas. For more Moroccan fare, her selection of jewelry stands out from the standard looking pieces that are abundant on every corner.
11 Bis, Derb Jdid Bab Mellah
+21 2 4438 3428
Café des Epices
Located in the heart of the Medina, the Café has become a must for those looking to refresh and kick back for a spell. Be sure to take in a tea on the terrace. (Pictured above left.)
75 Rahba Lakdima
+21 2 2439 1770
Zohour
Stop by this French-inspired bakery for a different kind of afternoon delight: a gazelle horn, the traditional crescent-shaped Moroccan pastry filled with decadent almond paste.
34 Rue de Liberte
+21 2 2443 1328
by Meredith Fisher
|
previous entry Earth: Hibernaculum |
next entry Ikepod Black Hole |
It's where Rufus Wainwright and Arcade Fire call home and a slew of cultural happenings such as Pop Montreal and New Cinema film festival annually pack the city limits. But Canada's French jewel is also a burgeoning fashion playground with a handful of promising designers operating under the radar. Head to the Mile End district, which was formerly a stretch of old industrial factories...
When the impossibly stylish creatures of Reykjavic need something new and natty to wear, the sharpest of them are now heading to the just-opened Liborius. Designer Jòn Sæundur is famous locally for his Dead clothing line—a dark, vicious collection with a fan base that includes members of Metallica and Placebo—and now his new boutique is following suit. Taking a turn toward the light, Sæundur's...
Paris and Milan may get all the Euro credit, but with gorgeous architecture from Gothic to Modernisme, scores of sleek furniture and interior design shops, and a mind-bending array of fashion boutiques, Barcelona is surely the sleeper style capital of the continent. Refinery29 paid a recent visit and compiled a list of the best of El Born. RqueR Talk about pride: Conxa Jufresa's shop...
Iceland's climate and terrain is so otherworldly—glaciers, geysers, and lava deserts dot this island in the Arctic Circle—that NASA astronauts come here to train. In contrast, the capital, Reykjavik, is a small, thriving city that plays host to great music, fashion, and art scenes. The city's compact layout encourages a sense of community and so do its many stores and cafés where young creatives converge...
by Jonathan Lawhorne "Sustainability has always been integral to our philosophy," says designer Timo Weiland of his new line TIMO!. The eye-popping, graphic wallets (think pixelated scans and wild graphic illustrations) use eco-friendly materials such as recyclable paper, soy ink and post-consumer vinyl in their super-slim design. "We wanted to create basic bi-fold and tri-fold wallets that allowed users to streamline their life with...
By Christina PanasJust five years after opening their flagship Williamsburg boutique, and on the heels of a Park Slope outpost, Oak co-owners Louis Terline and Jeff Madalena are making that first East River crossing with sleek new digs in NoLita, a shop that opens officially on Monday. "It happened quickly," says Terline, when asked how long the latest store had been in the works. "This...
The Pharos Project
Hank and Matlok
Neon Shoes
Radio Village Nomade
Ghostly Swim: Interview with Sam Valenti
Creative Index
Interview with Maarten Baas
A Paper Tiger
Von Totebags and T-Shirts
