pretty in pink: a colour study of marrakech, morocco
often referred to as the ochre or rose city for its overwhelming palette of dusty pink and terracotta red walls, marrakech is a lesson in colour. its infinite iterations of the rainbow would put a pantone swatch book to shame and provide boundless inspiration for the creative eye. from yves saint laurent, to mick jagger, to talitha getty, the bustling city has inspired countless creatives of yesteryear and beyond.
for the second instalment of our colour series (read the first here), we experience marrakech through colour. below, our guide to the sights, architecture, and photographs of the city that champion pink in all its beauty.
see
agafay desert
stepping out into the agafay desert, you’d be mistaken for thinking you’d just touched down on the moon. this 40km expanse of rough-hewn desert land is a celestial-scape of dusty pink, terracotta, and orange - it’s not hard to see how its colour palette inspired the first inhabitants of marrakech. the dreamlike expanse is perfect for a daytrip or overnight stay, where you can enjoy one of its luxury campgrounds, dune-gaze, or take a camel ride at sun down.
ben youssef madrasa
once a theological college, ben youssef madrasa is the largest madrasa (islamic college) in morrocco and one of the most splendid in north africa. its rather nondescript entrance conceals a kaleidoscopic world of zellige tiles, crawling vines, and intricate islamic calligraphy carved into its dusty-pink walls. it’s all in the detail here, and there’s so much to see that you’ll want to set out a whole morning to explore its many wonders.
STAY
El fenn
At el fenn, iconic morocco finds a home in a luxe aesthetic. Impeccably outfitted, the hotel is designed in the traditional style of a riad and smattered with mid-century modern furniture, graphic prints, and avante garde artworks that are a testament to its founder, Vanessa Branson’s, artistic past.
amanjena resort
owned by the luxury hotel group aman, amanjena resort is a veritable oasis just outside marrakech. the palatial grounds take inspiration from the rose-hued walls of marrakech. its central bassin is the heart of the resort, a serene hideaway surrounded by date palms that arch over its turquoise waters. amanjena resort boasts pavilions and mansions, private pools, its own spa retreat, and a world-class japanese restaurant.
read
marrakech flair, assouline books
cult book publisher assouline books’ marrakech flair is a hefty tome on the stylish city. filled with over 300 pages of stunning photographs, illustrations, and prose from author marisa berenson (once dubbed the ‘it’ girl by yves saint laurent, another marrakech icon) the book is a must for lovers of art and design, and those dreaming of morocco.
11 september - 21 september
is this an astrological match? find out here
“the soul becomes dyed with the colour of its thoughts” marcus aurelius said. the colours of morocco will steep into your soul - from terracotta villages to vivid blue towns to rainbow tanning pools and mandarin skies over the desert. this trip will wow you and expose you to the soul of morocco - from casablanca to fes to the atlas mountains and marrakesh. as oscar wilde said "mere colour… can speak to the soul in a thousand different ways."