Yves Saint Laurent Morocco garden. What to see in Marrakech: must visit places from Victoria Belaya

Having already become famous in advance, perpetuating the memory of the legendary couturier, and the first museum in Africa, dedicated to history fashion.

Street Yves Saint Laurent near the 12-acre botanical garden created by the artist Jacques Majorelle, decorated with an elegant terracotta façade. In creating it, the architects of the bureau Studio KO were inspired by the characteristic pattern that the fashion designer loved to use in his works, at the same time referring to the interweaving of the warp and weft in the woven fabric. Also, the authors of the project in this cubic volume emphasized the paradoxical ability of the master to combine straight and curved lines.

The expanses of the bright interior contrast with the blank external walls. Author of museum scenography, decorator Christophe Martin used traditional Moroccan materials: glazed tiles, granite, oak and laurel wood.

Space of 400 sq. m is divided into zones: space for permanent exhibition and temporary exhibitions, a library with a fund of 6,000 volumes, a hall with 150 seats, where fashion shows, concerts, symposiums on botany and Berber culture, a bookstore and a 75-seat café designed by a famous designer Yves Taralon. The museum has an archive with an extensive collection of clothes, now owned by a businessman friend of the fashion designer Pierre Berger. The building is surrounded by a garden with trees and plants typical of the desert.

Fifty models of clothing are shown in the halls in combination with objects of creative inspiration from Yves Saint Laurent, as well as photographs, archival documents, interviews that are broadcast on screens.

Marrakech is a magical city that appeals to all the senses at once and intoxicates and intoxicates. The famous Yves Saint Laurent was fascinated by the exoticism of Morocco and Marrakech, its wild colors and rich colors. The culture of this North African country is reflected in the designer’s collections.

Inspired to create new silhouettes, he used elements of traditional Moroccan clothing in his works: jellib, turban, embroidery. His outfits from that period were worn by the most elegant women from the fashion world and beyond.

The world-famous couturier Yves Saint Laurent fell in love with Morocco and Marrakech immediately as soon as he arrived here in 1966 with his friend Pierre Berg. They would later buy and restore the famous Jardin Majorelle together in 1980. This event was a real gift not only to the city, but also to the whole world, as many consider the garden a wonder of the world.

Plants from all five continents are collected here. The atmosphere from the riot of greenery and original colorful architecture is created magical. Combination of contrasting blue and yellow flowers combined with traditional Moroccan elements are simply stunning. The sweet singing of birds and the soft murmur of water is a real oasis, an island of calm in the center of noisy and dusty Marrakech.

The light play of light and shadow at sunset makes the colors of Majorelle's garden unique, incredibly soft and unforgettable. The garden was first open to visitors in 1947, but after the death of the garden's founder, artist and collector Jacques Majorelle, it almost disappeared. Since they were going to build on the site of an abandoned and overgrown site modern building. The restoration work was carried out very painstakingly, but the garden was not closed to visitors for a single day.

Now one of the garden buildings, the blue workshop, which was built in 1932 by the architect Paul Sinoir, houses the Museum of Islamic Art. Here is an art collection from the personal collection of Pierre Berg and Yves Saint Laurent, including objects not only from Morocco, but also from the Maghreb, the East, Africa and Asia. We can admire ceramics, dishes, weapons, magnificent jewelry, textiles, embroidery, carpets, woodwork and other treasures of the eastern world. Here you can also see the works of Jacques Majorelle, the founder of the garden.

At the end of November 2010, the Pierre Berge-Yves Saint Laurent Foundation will show an exhibition of Moroccan-inspired works by the famous couturier in the Majorelle Garden. The exhibition will include iconic pieces from the fashion world, such as the first safari jacket (1968), which will be displayed alongside vintage photographs and original sketches.

Each of the three halls where the exhibition will be exhibited will have its own name: Inspiration, Color and African Dream, thereby showing the diversity of Moroccan influences on Yves Saint Laurent. The first, “Inspiration,” works with elements of traditional Moroccan clothing. In the second, “Color,” there are the exotic colors of Marrakesh, which had an intoxicating effect on Yves Saint Laurent and his fans: pink, red, yellow and, of course, blue—the color of the villa and the Majorelle garden. In the third room, the emphasis is placed on the materials that the couturier used - wooden beads, pearls, mica and raffia.

The exhibition "Yves Saint Laurent and Morocco" will be held at the Jardin Majorelle from November 27, 2010 to March 18, 2011

"There is a garden in Marrakech that I have a real passion for."
Yves Saint Laurent

What is a must-see in Morocco?
Majorelle Garden by Yves Saint Laurent, which is located in Marrakech.

About Yves Saint Laurent:

Yves Henri Donat Mathieu Saint Laurent is a fashion designer who reigned in the world of high fashion for more than 40 years. After the death of Christian Dior, for whom Yves began as an assistant, in 1957 he became the head of his fashion house (he was 21 years old). He introduced elements of the men's wardrobe into women's fashion - leather jackets, thigh-high boots and even tuxedos (1966). Considered the founder of the unisex style.

About the Majorelle Garden

Yves Saint Laurent's friend Pierre Berger said: "When Yves Saint Laurent and I first arrived in Marrakech, we could not even think that it would become a second home for us."

The designer and his companion were fascinated by an abandoned garden with a collection of exotic plants from all over the world, which previously belonged to the French artist Jacques Majorelle; his home-workshop was located in the garden. In 1980 they bought it and began restoration work. Many buildings had fallen into disrepair by that time, rare plants had died, and colors had faded.
The villa and garden were restored, the unique garden buildings were put in order and now “Majorelle’s Garden” (it still bears the name French artist) is one of the most full meetings fauna from all over the world and is open to visitors for nominal fee.

About the collections of Yves Saint Laurent

In his haute couture collections, I. Saint Laurent allowed himself bold experiments with styles. With a brilliant gift for stylization, he could transform almost any creative source into modern clothing. In the same collection autumn/winter 1966-1967. there were “pop art” dresses - made of knitted fabric with huge appliqués in the form of lips, hearts, female profiles and body outlines. Their bright colors reminded acrylic paints paintings by artists of the most fashionable art movement of the 1960s. - “pop art”, and the motifs of the appliqués are the surreal models of E. Schiaparelli. The historical costume was the prototype of suits with velvet jackets trimmed with lace collars and culottes.
In the summer collection of 1967, I. Saint Laurent turned to an ethnic source - in short cocktail dresses under the motto “Bambara” he used motifs of primitive jewelry. The dresses were woven from linen and raffia fibers and colorful wooden beads, complemented by African-inspired jewelry and stylized African hairstyles. In the summer collection of 1968, he proposed the “safari” style - cotton models based on colonial costume. The same collection included transparent blouses, tuxedos and overalls with shorts. In 1968, Coco Chanel named I. Saint Laurent her spiritual successor, recognizing his merits for the first time. In 1969, Saint Laurent amazed the public with bright blouses and skirts imitating patchwork technique, undoubtedly inspired by hippie images, and sheer dresses trimmed with ostrich feathers. In the summer collection of 1969, the first men's trouser suit appeared, which was symbolically named “Leitmotif”. These suits will become as much a symbol of Saint Laurent's style as the tuxedo.

My impressions:

The color of the villa is very unusual - bright blue, a pond with lotuses and goldfish. And an exhibition of the Maestro’s graphic works on the theme “Love”.

Sayings by Yves Saint Laurent

Love is the best cosmetic. But it’s easier to buy cosmetics.

Over the years, I have realized that the most important thing in a dress is the woman who wears it.

In this life, I regret only one thing - that I didn’t invent jeans.

Clothes should be subordinated to the woman's personality, and not vice versa.

Traveling is so great!
Nona Dronova

• Address: Rue Yves St Laurent, Marrakech 40090, Morocco
• Telephone: +212 5243-13047
• Website: www.jardinmajorelle.com
• Working hours: from 8.00 to 18.00, seven days a week

The hot sun of the East attracts vacationers and tourists. Active and busy life here is mainly on the coasts - there are a lot of hotels, restaurants, gardens and parks. But there are exceptions to all rules. And a striking example of this is the Majorelle Garden. This marvelous corner of greenery among the red-brown tones of the city leaves no chance of passing by.

A hint of the history of the Majorelle Garden

Notes of France mixed here with the spirit of the East. And this is not surprising, because the Majorelle Garden is the creation of the French artist Jacques Majorelle. In 1919 he moved to Morocco in search of a cure for terrible disease– tuberculosis. In 1924, the artist founded his studio here, laying out a small garden around it. But since Jacques Majorelle was very passionate about collecting plants, after each of his trips the collection was replenished and grew. Today the garden covers an area of ​​about a hectare. It’s relatively small, like a big supermarket, but the pleasure and comfort it brings are simply enormous! The shade of the trees and plants of the Majorelle Garden in Marrakech is the best place to hide from the hot sun.

After the death of Jacques Majorelle, the garden fell into disrepair. The French couturier Yves Saint Laurent breathed a second life into it. Together with his friend, he bought the garden from the city, restored it and ensured that the park was maintained at the proper level. In the old studio there is a small exhibition of the works of the famous couturier, and after his death in 2008, a special tank was installed in the garden in which the ashes of Yves Saint Laurent are stored.

What is the Majorelle Garden interesting for tourists?

Being close to the Majorelle Garden, it is simply impossible to miss it. The contrast of bright blue with lush greenery immediately catches your attention. But this was precisely the artist’s idea - he painted the building in his workshop with bright blue paint. At the entrance, visitors are greeted by a bamboo alley. In the garden you can find plants from all five continents. Beautiful views complement great amount ponds, fountains, canals. By the way, there is such an abundance of reservoirs for a reason - they provide the proper level of humidity for tropical plants. Some have turtles.

The Majorelle Garden in Morocco is decorated with sculptures, clay vases and columns. Conventionally, the park territory is divided into two parts. Tropical plants grow on the right side, desert territory on the left. Here you can see a whole park of cacti of various sizes and shapes! Overall, this botanical garden there are more than 350 rare species plants.

Today, the Majorelle Garden also houses a Museum. islamic art. Here you can see the works of ancient Moroccan artisans - ancient carpets, clothes, ceramics. The museum also houses about 40 works by the artist. There is an opportunity to have a snack in a cafe in the park.

How to get there?

The Majorelle Garden is located in the new part of the city of Marrakech, among an interweaving of narrow streets and new houses. You can get here by bus number 4, to the Boukar-Majorelle stop. For lovers of oriental exoticism, there is the opportunity to hire a carriage. Well, if you want comfort, of course, there is a taxi network in the city.

Chance editor-in-chief Victoria Belaya talks about the places that are definitely worth visiting to get an idea of ​​Marrakesh - a city of contrasts and two cultures.

YVES SAINT LAURENT MUSEUM

The first thing you need to visit in Marrakech is Yves Saint Laurent Museum. And I am telling you this - a person who, to my shame, does not like museums. Usually I prefer walking around the city to visiting a museum or gallery, but in the case of Marrakech it was the other way around.

Set aside half a day to visit the museum. Don't skimp on your time - believe me, there is something to see there. Pierre Berger, common law husband Lorana and his business partner were the curator of this project. By the way, he did not live to see its official opening by only one month. It was Berger who donated 5,000 thousand of the designer’s personal belongings and 15,000 accessories from couture collections to the museum. So you’re unlikely to be able to walk through the museum in half an hour, as I initially thought.

In addition, there is a stunning restaurant in the museum's courtyard that serves international cuisine. Over lunch, we determined that the only drawback of the museum was the lack of wine on the menu, and our French neighbors supported us in this! But seriously, in my personal TOP this museum takes an honorable first place both in terms of content and energy.

Near the museum there are Majorelle Gardens. The gardens were created back in the 20s by the artist Jacques Majorelle, who collected rare plants from different parts of the planet. There he built himself a villa and painted it bright blue. After the artist’s death, the gardens fell into disrepair, and after some time, Saint Laurent and Pierre Berger bought them from the local authorities, which saved the gardens from complete destruction.

The gardens are open to the public, all you need is to buy a ticket, although this can be difficult. There are a lot of people wanting to take a selfie in front of Majorelle’s cobalt house, so waiting in line can last for several hours. In this case, I would recommend contacting the hotel concierge in advance - for a small tip he can find someone who will wait in line and buy this ticket for you.

Entrance fee to the Yves Saint Laurent Museum: €9
Entrance fee to Majorelle Gardens: €7

MARKET

If you fly to Marrakech, you simply must visit the main attraction of the city - Central Market. And if you already come to the market, you must buy something, or rather, you simply must bargain with everyone! You may not buy, but you cannot not bargain. If you ask the price and leave silently, you will definitely not be understood and will be taken for a rude person.

But if you immediately offer half as much, a glimmer of respect will flash in the merchant’s eyes. It’s important here not to get confused and to be on the same page. Honestly, I got so excited that I managed to reduce the price significantly.

But my main trophy is a lamp with a starting price of 800 euros, which I got for only 100! To do this, I had to look through all my photos on my phone over the past few years and find joint photo with Andrey Shevchenko, so that my newly acquired friend would have the opportunity to tell everyone that he is now friends with the person who is friends with his favorite football player. True, I had to lie about my friendship with Andrei, but, as they say, in war all means are good!

Cost of souvenirs: from €5 to several thousand
for oriental lamps and carpets

Marrakesh can hardly be called a calm city. If you want silence, go to the desert! An hour's drive from the city offers stunning campsites for those who want to be on their own. It’s customary for us to go to the forest or to the sea, but in Marrakesh they go to the desert, where you can gain strength and cleanse yourself from the bustle of the city. Quite by accident we found ourselves in a place that fascinated us all. – this is the name of the campsite that our concierge recommended to us as the best in Marrakech. You can come to Scarabeo Camp for the day or stay overnight. There are specially equipped tents with a bedroom and shower room.

During the day they entertain with ATVs and camel rides. In the evening, a fire is lit and dinner is served by candlelight. An absolutely mesmerizing sight. The territory is quite large, so if you want privacy, it will not be difficult for you. A large noisy company will also not disturb any of the guests. I didn’t risk staying overnight in the camp, because even silence needs to get used to gradually. And the understanding that I was in the middle of the desert without any address weighed on my consciousness even more than the silence. This is the truth that I learned in the desert: after all, I love people and civilization! For this, I think it was worth coming to the desert and actually flying to Marrakech!

Tent cost per day: €240

HOTEL LA MAMOUNIA

If you like a more European style of architecture, I recommend staying at Hotel La Mamounia. The influence of France is clearly felt here, and the mixture of Moroccan and French motifs gives the design a certain charm and lightness. There are a lot of young couples in the hotel, mostly French, so at times you feel like you are somewhere in Deauville.

Room rate per night: Deluxe Park Room – €621