Latest news with #BillWillis
Forbes
05-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Why Marrakech Should Be Top Of Design Lovers' Travel Bucket Lists
Marrakech's most aesthetically exquisite rental property opened this year, located just a short car ride outside the bustle of the city center. Manou Fatima Dozens of designers have dreamed over the colors, patterns and architecture that define Marrakech. These include the iconic French fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent and American interior designer Bill Willis. In the 1960s, the duo and their laid-back bohemian crowd roamed the streets and souks for inspiration. Today, the Moroccan city is still a treasure trove of maximalist design, unfettered by modern trends or homogenous international styles. Here's how to seek out a feast for the eyes in Marrakech this summer, visit Yves Saint Laurent's eye-popping garden inspiration, and sleep in sumptuous style in a newly-opened Bill Willis-designed property. The warren-like souks in the heart of the city are a mine of joyous, idiosyncratic design. While several stores and stalls have now popped up selling designer imitations and made-in-China mass-produced goods, real quality is still easy to find. A maze-like tangle of narrow alleyways that are shared by tourists/shoppers, bikes, motor bikes, donkeys and carts, lined with souks (markets) selling everything from glass to brass to silver, rugs and leather goods, spices galore and more getty Carpets are a must-have, and where better than the workshop favored by Yves Saint Laurent himself. Dar Haram Cheekh No. 17 is hidden down a dark passageway hung with rugs. In the dim interior, you pick your way between haphazardly stacked, floor-to-ceiling piles of carpets like a labyrinth. It's no hardship to while away a few hours here, sifting through the endless variety of material, texture and pattern. If you love bold color, make sure the gardens of Marrakech that Yves Saint Lauren described as 'an endless source of inspiration' are on your itinerary. Located in an elegant, residential area of the city, the Jardin Majorelle was created over the course of 40 years by French Orientalist artist Jacques Majorelle, starting in 1923. Majorelle conceived of this one-hectare walled oasis as a sanctuary and botanical 'laboratory', cramming it with exotic specimens from far-flung corners of the world. Located in an elegant, residential area of the city, the Jardin Majorelle was created over the course of 40 years. getty In 1980, Yves Saint Laurent and his business partner Pierre Bergé, who first arrived in Morocco in 1966, purchased the garden to save it from hotel developers. Now, it consists of a maze of pathways ensconced in foliage and a boldly-coloured Cubist villa designed by French architect Paul Sinoir in the 1930s. Sleep In A Bill Willis-Designed Dream Property Marrakech's most aesthetically exquisite rental property opened this year, located just a short car ride outside the bustle of the city center. Casa Memoria is a private oasis of refined Moorish architecture, botanical gardens, and quietly decadent living. The villa was designed by Tunisian architect Charles Boccara, who grew up in Morocco, and was finished by Bill Willis, an American aesthete who emigrated to Morocco. The Suite Ocre is filled with intricate Moroccan furnishings. Manou Fatima The six suites, lounges, dining room, courtyards, and pool house are all defined by Bocarra's architectural whimsy and the free-spirited elegance of Willis' interior design. The first-floor master Suite Royale is a lesson in opulence, with hand-sculpted ceilings, a majestic zellige fireplace, and a hammam-inspired emerald green bathing chamber. Next door is the optional adjoining Suite Jaune d'Or bathed in the golden tones of Marrakech's desert sands, where elephants march around ceilings in sculpted relief. The first-floor master Suite Royale is a lesson in opulence. Manou Fatima Downstairs, the Suite Ocre is another standout, steeped in a sensual delight of Oriental ruby tapestries, soft lighting and Berber-style Moroccan furnishings. French doors open onto the arcaded ochre-hued portico filled with wicker furniture and cascading greenery. Beyond it is a three-hectare haven of silvery olive trees, luxuriant Washingtonia palms, and lawns where peacocks wander freely. Across the garden, a pool and graceful pavilion are fringed by trees. French doors open onto the arcaded ochre-hued portico filled with wicker furniture and cascading greenery. Manou Fatima Guests rent out the full estate, which includes a dedicated majordomo, private chef, and housekeepers. The team can tailor meals according to guests' preferences, from sunrise breakfasts in the garden to intimate candlelit dinners. They can also throw lavish parties with DJs and fire dancing, organize excursions into the desert for camel rides or quadbiking, and book yoga and stretching sessions in the grounds.
CairoScene
31-01-2025
- Entertainment
- CairoScene
This Boutique Hotel in Marrakech Doubles as a Contemporary Art Gallery
This Boutique Hotel in Marrakech Doubles as a Contemporary Art Gallery Hidden away from the frenetic energy of the Marrakech medina, down ancient narrow alleyways on the quieter side of the city, lies the newly opened boutique hotel, IZZA. Named in honour of the strong, neighbourly, and respected Berber woman whose ancestral home once stood on this site, the hotel has earned the nickname 'the museum in the medina.' Launched last year, IZZA pays tribute to Bill Willis, the celebrated architect and socialite who fell in love with Marrakech's dynamic spirit in the mid-20th century. At that time, the Red City was a vibrant sanctuary for hedonistic intellectuals and creatives, captivated by its bohemian allure. Each corner of the hotel echoes Willis' distinct Orientalist design style, seamlessly blending traditional Moroccan craftsmanship with vintage, mid-century Italian furnishings. The hotel reflects the city's free spirit, with art pieces abundantly displayed throughout the space. When London-based proprietors NEON Adventures Ltd conceptualised the hotel several years ago, art was at the core of their vision. At that time, NFTs were gaining recognition in a niche art segment, and the hotel's art focus included digital, AI-driven, and generative works, thanks to collaborations with esteemed partners like gallery and prominent NFT collector Studio 137. Today, adorned with over 300 contemporary art pieces—primarily by emerging Moroccan and international artists—IZZA transcends the conventional hotel experience, evolving into a refined contemporary art gallery. Comprising seven interlocking riads and three tranquil courtyards filled with green creepers against beige and cream walls, IZZA's fourteen rooms are each uniquely inspired by creative pioneers who once sought inspiration in Marrakech. It's a space where every stay promises a serene escape, steeped in the spirit of a bygone era. Rooms at IZZA, named after iconic 'freedom seekers,' are all distinct but share a common fascination with Moroccan culture and its colourful history. The premier suite, Yves (Saint Laurent), offers a light-filled, expansive space with sweeping views over the hotel. The Grace (Jones) suite, a nod to the fearless musician and model, features a custom Parisian textile, a hardwood headboard, and a luxurious copper roll-top bathtub. The Leila (Alaoui) room, inspired by the photographer's empathetic work, offers a serene atmosphere with sky blue and dove grey zellige floor tiles, opal blue bed linens, and a dove grey tadelakt wet room. Most rooms, including the junior suites, feature alcove beds nestled between walls, creating an intimate ambiance. Luxurious Egyptian cotton linens and organic bath products sourced from the nearby Ourika Valley enhance the experience. In the three shaded courtyards, you'll find a 10-metre pool, a soothing foot-pool, and a calming wall fountain. While the courtyards and rooftop terrace invite lively conversations, the quiet library and cosy tea room provide peaceful retreats perfect for reconnecting with your creative self. The hotel's crowning feature is its rooftop bar and main restaurant, Bill's Bar, a tribute to Bill Willis. Ascend the five winding staircases to be greeted by panoramic views of the bustling medina below. This homage to Willis blends modernist sensibilities with traditional Moroccan craftsmanship, with flamboyant tiles, intricately carved wood, and majestic fireplaces showcasing his iconic design. Within the bar, geometric floor patterns and parquet flooring evoke Willis' masterful recreation of Rick's Café from Casablanca. The smooth, hand-applied tadelakt walls are adorned with intricate zellige details, inspired by his own home. Artefacts and photos further celebrate Bill Willis' vibrant designs and enduring legacy. Amine Kabbaj, IZZA's master architect and a leading figure in Moroccan architecture, has been integral to the project since its inception eight years ago. His meticulous design, evident in the Moroccan zellij tiles, intricately carved plaster, and bohemian memorabilia, highlights his extraordinary attention to detail. Photography Credit: IZZA
