Mosaic Of Marvels
Harper's BAZAAR Singapore|March 2021
Juliet Nicolson explores the opulent marble palaces, vibrant mosques and fragrant Moorish gardens of Marrakech
Juliet Nicolson
Mosaic Of Marvels

During my first visit to Marrakech 20 years ago, I declined not only an invitation to exchange my two daughters for a pair of camels, but also one to swim in our riad’s pool. I had already seen that the water, dense as spinach soup, was being used by the attendant to clean his teeth.

Two decades later, the delightfully unexpected and eccentrically exotic nature of this city remains unchanged. As we wandered through its maze of dark, narrow alleys, we jumped to avoid first a donkey pulling a cart laden with clanking copper kettles and then a scooter carrying a homeward-bound schoolboy, his arms wrapped around his chauffeur-mother’s waist and his tiny sister balanced on the handlebars. Weaving our way through stalls selling silver slippers, nougat, rugs, jeans and backgammon boards, we passed a huddle of women in multicoloured robes conspiring to change the world.

Eventually, we arrived at the spellbinding Le Jardin Secret, an ancient Middle Eastern garden in which green-tiled pathways intersect with headily scented, butterfly-shimmering flower beds. At its heart is a tower from which, high above the rooftops of the medina, we looked down over the chicest riads, their tented terraces nudging against lines of white linen sheets drying in the breeze. We watched a game of chess, a couple kissing, a cat stretching in the sun as the minaret of the 12 th -century Koutoubia Mosque rose up in the distance.

This story is from the March 2021 edition of Harper's BAZAAR Singapore.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the March 2021 edition of Harper's BAZAAR Singapore.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM HARPER'S BAZAAR SINGAPOREView All
FASHION IS POWER
Harper's BAZAAR Singapore

FASHION IS POWER

American author, filmmaker, psychologist and educator Roberta Degnore who teaches a world-first course called "The Psychology of Gender, Perception, and Self-Expression in Fashion" at New York's Fashion Institute of Technology argues that fashion is anything but frivolous.

time-read
1 min  |
December 2024
The Italian Who Does It Better
Harper's BAZAAR Singapore

The Italian Who Does It Better

After fifty years in fashion, Giorgio Armani—the man and the brand is still a force to be reckoned with.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 2024
Most Stylish Women 2024
Harper's BAZAAR Singapore

Most Stylish Women 2024

Stylishness isn’t just about being fashionable. Instead, it’s a blend of self-assurance, passion and stories that makes the idea of style so multifaceted and rich. From a mother and daughter duo who approach dressing up with equal exuberance, to an entrepreneur championing the varied tales of batik to a singer-songwriter showing her chic chops with a walking stick, meet the 10 women who inspire us with their singular takes on personal style.

time-read
9 mins  |
December 2024
CITY ON HIGH
Harper's BAZAAR Singapore

CITY ON HIGH

One city, 10 collaborators, 10 collections-Moncler lit up Shanghai with its City Of Genius showcase.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 2024
PRETTY NOVEL 172
Harper's BAZAAR Singapore

PRETTY NOVEL 172

Franck Muller presents its smallest skeleton movement to date in beautiful miniaturised novelties from the Round collection.

time-read
1 min  |
December 2024
THE JOIE
Harper's BAZAAR Singapore

THE JOIE

Chopard's newest global brand ambassador Bella Hadid details her appreciation for the Maison and what she loves about its jewellery.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 2024
SOUL SEARCHING
Harper's BAZAAR Singapore

SOUL SEARCHING

In Rajasthan, India, a first-time visitor explores two stunningly singular Aman properties and experiences the raw and powerful beauty of the northwestern state.

time-read
4 mins  |
December 2024
INTO THE BLUE
Harper's BAZAAR Singapore

INTO THE BLUE

With the Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative, the watchmaker is on a mission to safeguard our most precious resources, including the Nusa Penida Marine Protected Area in Indonesia.

time-read
3 mins  |
December 2024
LIFE IN TRANSIT
Harper's BAZAAR Singapore

LIFE IN TRANSIT

Entrepreneur and creative multi-hyphenate Sherry Ang shares how her transitional home blends elegant simplicity with the vibrant chaos of family life.

time-read
5 mins  |
December 2024
YES,CHEFS!
Harper's BAZAAR Singapore

YES,CHEFS!

BAZAAR talks to three of the hottest names in Singapore's culinary scene to get the hot, hard truths of the trade.

time-read
6 mins  |
December 2024