logo
Spice Girl Mel B celebrates second wedding in Marrakech with Moroccan flair

Spice Girl Mel B celebrates second wedding in Marrakech with Moroccan flair

Ya Biladi2 days ago
Spice Girls' Scary Spice, Mel B, and her husband Rory McPhee held their second wedding celebration in Morocco from August 1 to 3, as promised a month after their first ceremony back home.
In Marrakech, the couple transformed their vows into a glamorous, multi-day affair at the Selman Marrakech hotel. They had previously tied the knot in a traditional ceremony at London's St Paul's Cathedral, but opted for a more «spiritual» and bold celebration in Morocco, where Mel swapped her white gown for a sparkly red Justin Alexander dress that took over 850 hours of hand-beaded craftsmanship, writes the Daily Mail.
She completed her look with a Moroccan-inspired veil, while Rory wore a modern black-tie outfit by Alexander McQueen. Mel's stylist, Caroline Black, explained: «Mel loved the idea of a red dress, something bold, with lots and lots of shimmer, but it also had to feel light and easy to move in». Inspired by the Red City, Mel also had her hands and feet adorned with henna, a traditional ritual for brides in Morocco.
The wedding featured Moroccan lanterns, ornate table settings, and a fiery theme reflecting Scary Spice's vibrant style. Fellow Spice Girl Melanie C attended, writing on Instagram: «What a weekend! So happy we got to share it with you», while other members like Geri and Victoria Beckham were notably absent.
Morocco holds nostalgic value for the Spice Girls, who once celebrated David Beckham's 40th birthday there in 2015—though Mel B was the only one not in attendance at the time.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

From Labani to freezies : The treats that kept 90s Moroccan kids cool
From Labani to freezies : The treats that kept 90s Moroccan kids cool

Ya Biladi

time10 hours ago

  • Ya Biladi

From Labani to freezies : The treats that kept 90s Moroccan kids cool

In the middle of August, in the thick of a heatwave, with the blazing sun beating down, 90s kids can't help but remember, with a nostalgic smile, how they fought the heat. Back then, nothing beat the joy of ice cream and frozen snacks to stay cool and make the most of summer holidays. Today, store freezers are packed with endless choices, but millennials in Morocco didn't have that luxury. Their handful of options, though simple, left a mark that still lives on, resurfacing in Facebook posts, Instagram reels, and YouTube videos that transport us straight back to those carefree summer days. If you're a millennial who grew up in Morocco or visited during the summer, Yabiladi has compiled a list of your favorite frozen summer snacks. Disclaimer: you might get emotional. Vanilla-and-wafer «Labani» Want ice cream and wafer? Moul Labani has you covered with his street ice creams, the Moroccan way. For many 90s kids in Morocco, this treat was the highlight of a day at the beach, a trip to the local moussem (festival), or a day at the fair. The ice cream was most often, if not exclusively, vanilla, sandwiched between plain, crisp wafers, a very thin, flat, light biscuit. That's why it's called Labani, which is a Darija word derived from the French la vanille (vanilla). Although it was only vanilla, it was a faithful companion to kids during hot summer days. And just like in American movies, where spotting an ice cream van is considered good luck, seeing a Moul Labani vendor was also a sign of sweet, refreshing fortune. Typically dressed in a white coat, he carries a large metal box that he places in a two-wheeled cart. Today, Moul Labani is still holding on despite the endless ice cream options available to kids. But for those longing for a taste of the past, you might just be lucky enough to stumble upon him. A Stick, Yogurt, and Abra Kadabra Ice Cream For those who didn't have access to Moul Labani, or were forced to play indoors, a clever trick emerged: why not make ice cream at home if we couldn't buy it? The ingredients were simple and usually found at home: a wooden stick (or sometimes a spoon from the kitchen drawer), a yogurt of any kind, and the freezer. 90s kids would pierce the yogurt lid with the stick or spoon and place it in the freezer overnight. For a genius idea like this, patience was key. Those who preferred grenade-flavored fermented milk didn't pierce it; instead, they waited until it froze and then sliced it in half, always with an adult's help. These DIY ice creams became so popular in the late 1990s that hanouts (corner shops) started making them for kids to buy ready and frozen. Milk and yogurt companies also jumped on the trend, releasing yogurt drinks that hanouts froze and sold in halves or even quarters for those on a budget. Fun freezies Freezies were another refreshing favorite for Moroccan kids in the 90s. Made by sealing flavored liquid, like sugar water or fruit juice, inside a plastic tube and freezing it, they were a simple yet irresistible summer snack. Fun and colorful, they came in a variety of flavors, such as cherry, orange, lemon-lime, watermelon, cream soda, blue raspberry, and grape. What more could a kid ask for while running around, playing outside, or gaming on a Nintendo than one of these sweet frozen treats?

Forbes Recognizes Adel El Fakir for His Leadership in Morocco's Tourism, Aviation
Forbes Recognizes Adel El Fakir for His Leadership in Morocco's Tourism, Aviation

Morocco World

time13 hours ago

  • Morocco World

Forbes Recognizes Adel El Fakir for His Leadership in Morocco's Tourism, Aviation

Rabat – Adel El Fakir, a Moroccan leader in tourism and aviation, has been named one of Forbes Middle East's Top 100 Travel and Tourism Leaders for 2025. He is currently the Director General of Morocco's National Airports Authority (ONDA) and was previously the head of the Moroccan National Tourism Office (ONMT). Under his leadership, Morocco launched major tourism campaigns, including the award-winning 'Morocco: Kingdom of Light,' and now he is overseeing the expansion and modernization of airports across the country in preparation for events like the 2030 World Cup. El Fakir has a diverse educational background that has shaped his career in business, marketing, and leadership. He earned a Bachelor's in Finance from ISCAE, where he gained hands-on experience and a passion for business and marketing. He then completed a Diplôme d'études supérieures spécialisées (DESS) in marketing at Université Toulouse 1 Capitole, studying alongside Moroccan and French instructors while working full-time, which helped him connect theory with real-world business practice. To broaden his perspective, he pursued an MBA in International Business at École des Ponts ParisTech and École Hassania des Travaux Publics in Casablanca. Later, he completed a Certificate in Corporate Governance at the Institut Marocain des Administrateurs, which gave him deep insight into business ethics, governance, and sustainability. This rich education provided the foundation for his success in both tourism and aviation leadership. Championing the Moroccan tourism brand El Fakir was appointed Director General of the Moroccan National Tourism Office (ONMT) in 2018. It was during this tenure that he launched the 'Morocco: Kingdom of Light' campaign in April 2022, targeting 19 to 20 international markets with multimedia advertising across TV, digital platforms, outdoor signage, cinema, and more. The campaign resonated globally, earning the title Best International Promotional Campaign from France's esteemed media TourMaG, and Best Destination Campaign from Spain's leading daily, La Razon. It also clinched the Travel d'Or in France (2023) as the most beloved marketing campaign by the French public. El Fakir's digital ingenuity was further affirmed when the ONMT campaign 'Moments in Morocco' received Expedia's best digital campaign award for the EMEA region in 2019. In recognition of his leadership, media and tourism peers named him Tourism Personality of the Year in 2024 as part of the first edition of the Morocco Tourism Awards. His impact garnered attention from Forbes Middle East, which ranked him 18th in its 2023 Top 100 Travel & Tourism Leaders in the MENA, a first for a Moroccan leader in the Top 20. Throughout his ONMT leadership, El Fakir orchestrated strategic airline partnerships, steered promotional 'Light Tours' across global capitals, and established the 'Light In Action 2026' plan to sustain Morocco's upward momentum in tourism appeal. A new flight path: leading Morocco's airports In June 2024, King Mohammed VI appointed El Fakir Director General of the National Airports Office (ONDA). During this transition, ONMT's Board of Directors commended his achievements in transforming the tourism office and wished him success in steering ONDA's modernization. 'The Board of Directors thanked M. Adel El Fakir for his work during the last 6 years at the head of the Moroccan National Tourism Office, while praising the positive results and the success of the various programs launched by the Office during his tenure,' ONMT said in a statement. They also expressed confidence in his new responsibilities as CEO of ONDA, where he is now managing strategic projects, restructuring the institution, and modernizing Morocco's airports. Earlier this year, El Fakir unveiled 'Airports 2030,' a bold roadmap aimed at transforming Morocco's airport network. The plan focuses on three main areas: expanding infrastructure, enhancing the passenger experience, and modernizing ONDA's institutional framework. Under the infrastructure expansion pillar, Mohammed V Airport is set to increase its capacity from 14 million to 35 million passengers by 2029, while airports in Marrakech, Agadir, Tangier, and Fez are also slated for capacity doubling. To improve the passenger experience, the plan focuses on digitization, including automated baggage handling, streamlined access, and seamless journeys from check-in to boarding. Institutional transformation is another key focus, with efforts to modernize ONDA's operational structure and strengthen collaboration with agencies such as the DGSN, Customs, Gendarmerie, and the Ministry of Transport, aiming to embed agility and efficiency across the organization. Tangible milestones under El Fakir's leadership also include the March 2025 start of a new terminal at Mohammed V Airport, which will have a 20-million passenger capacity and a $1.6 billion investment, scheduled for completion in 2029 in anticipation of the 2030 World Cup. In 2024, the ONDA network handled 32.7 million passengers, marking a 21% increase year-on-year, with international traffic rising 20% and domestic traffic surging 30%. He also appointed new directors at Nador El Aroui and Agadir Al Massira airports to manage rapid passenger growth, with Agadir handling 3.1 million passengers (up 36%) and Nador exceeding 1.05 million in 2024. Morocco plans MAD 42 billion ($4.2 billion) in airport investments by 2030, with the aim of positioning Mohammed V as a major intercontinental hub, with projections of 60 million passengers by 2030 and 90 million by 2035. Tags: Adel el fakirForbesONDAONMT

ONDA Opens Direct Access to Key Aviation Careers
ONDA Opens Direct Access to Key Aviation Careers

Morocco World

time14 hours ago

  • Morocco World

ONDA Opens Direct Access to Key Aviation Careers

Rabat — The National Airports Office (ONDA) is giving Moroccan students a more direct route into two of the most strategic careers in civil aviation. The Mohammed VI International Academy of Civil Aviation is set to offer Air Navigation Control (CNA) and Air Traffic Safety Electronics (ESCA) programmes directly through the National Common Entrance Exam (CNC). Previously, students could only reach these courses after starting in Computer Engineering, Industrial and Production Engineering, or Electrical, Electronic, and Telecommunications Engineering. The extra step often left the programmes less visible, despite their central role in ensuring the safety and efficiency of air travel. ONDA said the reform is part of its 'Airport 2030' strategy, aimed at preparing a new generation of experts to meet the industry's growing technological and operational challenges. The change will simplify the training offer, attract more talented candidates, and align skills more closely with market needs. By opening these doors, ONDA hopes to inspire more young people to take up careers that demand precision, responsibility, and innovation, as well as to help drive Morocco's Vision 2030 for a stronger air transport sector. ONDA has launched the 'Airport 2030' strategy ahead of Morocco's co-hosting the 2030 FIFA World Cup with Spain and Portugal. The plan includes doubling passenger capacity to 80 million by 2030, thus enhancing Morocco's airports' performance. As part of the strategy, Morocco's ONDA has also launched a major reorganization of its three main divisions to boost performance. It also announced a new visual identity for the country's airports as part of its 'Airports 2030' strategy. The visual identity comprises heritage symbols with openness to the world through the four cardinal points. Tags: Morocco's AirportsONDA

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store