After YSL: The New Creatives Putting Marrakech on the Map

YSL in a 1980 issue of Vogue

Marrakech has been tantalising stylish individuals from around the world ever since Yves Saint Laurent paid his first visit in 1966 and decided to make it his second home. Later in life, he famously said: “In Morocco, I realised that the range of colours I use was that of the zelliges, zouacs, djellabas and caftans. The boldness seen since then in my work, I owe to this country, to its forceful harmonies, to its audacious combinations, to the fervour of its creativity.”

Over the years, countless artists have been seduced by the kingdom’s fourth largest and most magical city, from perfumer Serge Lutens, who arrived in 1968, to Madonna, who celebrated her 60th birthday here last year. Now, though, a new wave of talents and initiatives are taking Marrakech up a peg as a cultural destination. In the past three years alone, the Musée Yves Saint Laurent Marrakech, Comptoir des Mines Galerie and Musée d’Art Contemporain Africain Al Maaden (MACAAL) have all established themselves, and 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair has expanded its editions from London and New York to the ochre city. “A historical and contemporary confluence of people from across Africa and Europe, Marrakech has a stirring energy that inspires creativity in all art forms,” says Touria El Glaoui, the founding director of 1-54. “Marrakech has always had a strong and active community of artists and the landscape is now full of spaces that are dedicated to them.”

With the Dior Cruise 2020 show having descended on Marrakech in May, further cementing the city’s growing creative confidence, and as it looks forward to becoming the first African Capital of Culture next year, we meet some of the local innovators making sure their home is favoured for more than just hammams, mint tea and Majorelle Blue.

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