Chapter III: Treasures of the Bazar

Spice Girl

The Souk Roof

My wonderful red poppy kaftan

Treasures of the Bazar

My magic genie shoes

The Dream of Jeannie

With no real Medina, the city of Agadir had to find a solution to install a Souk. It's a little outside of the new town that they chose to build the Grand Souk behind its ramparts. We enter by one of its massive door and discover a lively and authentic place. 

You can find everything you need: Saffron, Cinnamon, Comun, Thyme, Berber lipstick, henna, pumice stones, fresh fruits clothing and crafts of all kinds. Prices are to be discussed everytime and I find this trading method so fun. It's a real theater ! The merchants give you a price and they are disappointed if you don't try to haggle. They are very friendly and are happy to play this game. It's a very strong Moroccan trade tradition specific to Arab civilizations. 

I bought three wonderful Berber necklaces for my mum and sis, a pair of magic genie shoes that remind me so much of the TV series The Dream Of Jeannie and a red poppy kaftan that looks like the Muzungu Sisters Tribal Kaftan except that I bought it for 10 euros. Right now I dream of building a purple bottle and live in it forever !

Chapter IV tomorrow !

Chapter I: The Shoe Factory

Pedestrian sheep

Matching Nails

Matching sky

The Shoe Factory

Leather colors

Camille

Jnane Soussia Restaurant in Taroudan

Taroudan Grand Souk 

Flying Carpets

Women cooperative producing Argan oil

The most beautiful yellow I've ever seen

Last week I flew to the wonderful Kingdom of Morocco with my friend Camille in order to visit the shoe factories and launch a summer collection.  We arrived in Taroudan in the morning and discovered a place suspended in time, an amazing walled city where people move in carriage and women walk the streets dressed in their colorful veils which dance in the wind.

After we pushed a little door, we entered in the shoe temple ! A factory where fifteen craftsmen worked on different models in a very traditional way. The shy and calm Camille I knew turned suddenly into an amazing business woman who knew exactly what she wanted. She was simply amazing ! I just can't wait to discover the final prototypes. Later we haggled in the souk of Taroudan some dresses and shoes that I'll show in the next chapters. Her love for fashion, mine for drawing and our for travelling were all the ingredients an unforgettable journey needed !

Chapter II tomorrow !