Sundown in the Moroccan Rif Mountains!
The Spring Summer collection is coming along nicely and i just have to share my journey and images from Morocco which is the main inspiration behind the Spring Summer 2010 collection.
Over two weeks equiped with a backpack, 2 girlfriends, sketch book, notepad and of course a trusty Lonely Planet guide to Morocco we worked our way around the country from the laid back Atlantic coast, invigourating Rif Mountains, intense souks of Marrkesh and tranquility of the Sahara Desert!
Traditional moroccan achitecture
1st stop Marrakech - We touch down in Marrekech and eventually find the most fantastic hostel which is a beautiful old Riad full of friendly faces and right in the middle of town http://tinyurl.com/yfo2pra . The main square is full of musicians, snake charmers, dancers and musicians in the day and by night transformed into a world of intense flavours, araomatic smells and hustle and bustle of night market traders…..and surrounded by dimly lit warm terrocota side streets….a true expolsion of the senses.
Transport by the infamous bone shaker bus and butt shaker camel
2nd stop road trip into the desert on the bone shaker – After meeting fellow travelers on day 2 we sign up to a desert extravaganza on a shoestring…invloving a rickety old bus, camel riding, bongos, Bob Marley CD and trusty tour guide who speaks just a little english! Highlights have to be the sunrise in the Sahara, camping out in Nomadic tents drinking sweet mint tea and attempting to play the bongos after a long and butt numbing camel ride into the desert, and lastly the road side bric-a-brac trinket stalls…truly fabulous.
Moroccan road side trinkets...
3rd Stop Rif Mountains – The most tranquil and enchanting village Chefchuan set high in the Rif mountains…with all buildings painted white and blue, creating complete calm…with the evening calls for prayer which become the back drop to sunrise and sundown in the rif mountain village. If i were to recommend places not to be missed this would be top of the list, its raw, untouched and unspoilt and full of the the most fantastic textiles created straight from the loom.
Blue tranquility of Chefchuan
4th Stop Essouira on the Atlantic coast and inspiration to music legend Jimi Hendrix – Our final stop involving a night train from the Rif mountains to the coast and time to kick back and relax after a jam packed 10 days of sightseeing, on and off buses and clocking up serious miles going from place to place. The artistic capital of Morocco and best place for live music, beach bum lifestyle and great Hammans which was a real treat at the end of a long but fantastic Moroccan adventure.
Laid back atlantic coastal town of Essouira...
The Spring Summer collection will reflect my moroccan adventure and will keep you posted on developments!
Best wishes
Helen
