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Q&A: Tiffany & Co | Paloma Picasso | Marrakesh

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The ancient Moroccan city of Marrakesh  inspired some of Paloma Picasso’s best works for jeweller Tiffany & Co, including the iconic Zellige collection. She shared its charms with Susan Skelly.

I have lived in Marrakesh since …
2006, but have been visiting since 1980 and so has my husband, Eric [Thvenet].
My first impression of the city was…
That I had found the place where the magic carpet takes you.
What keeps me here is…
The people, the light, the freedom, the beauty – both natural and manmade.
If I have friends in town I take them to… 
The Agdal Gardens and Menara Reservoir.
One of the town’s best-kept secrets is… 
Abdou, the tailor at the Palmeraie Golf Palace Hotel, who will copy your favourite clothes in a matter of two or three days.
The most overrated attraction is… 
Snake charmers. It is advisable to stay away from them or they might wrap one around your neck!In Marrakesh I like to shop at…
Mustapha Blaoui (142 Bab Doukkala, Medina. +212 24 385 240). It is more than the best place to shop, it’s also the best place to find out what’s happening in town. An experience like none other.The best dining in town is at…
Dar Marjana (15 Derb Sidi Ali Tair Bab Doukkala, Medina) where you will discover what life in Marrakesh is all about.Art lovers in Morocco are always rewarded at galleries such as…
Khalid (14 Rue Dar el Basha), where you can find original Majorelle watercolours.In Marrakesh I am always awed by…
The light, which makes every moment so special.

The collections for Tiffany & Co that have been inspired by Morocco include…
Zellige, a collection that I keep expanding on, working on the geometrical intertwined patterns that embellish the floors, columns and walls of every handsome riad.

The Marrakesh collection came about because… 
I wanted to explore the fluid expression of the handiwork you find in the Medina.

The colour palette and materials that appealed for this collection are… 
Hammered gold and silver chiselled to reveal intricate cut-out designs over lapis lazulis that echo the majorelle blue so symbolic of Marrakesh.

Among the most underrated gemstones are… 
Rubellites and fire opals – two of the brightest, intensely coloured stones. And alexandrite because it changes colour with the light.

Jewellery is as much a talisman as a decoration. The piece in my own jewellery box that best protects and energises is…
A pair of dangling bead earrings in hammered yellow gold that I keep in my handbag when I’m not wearing them.

When travelling, my carry-on essentials are… 
A large shawl I can wrap myself into, my fragrance and hotel notepads from my favourite hotels, so that I can jot down new ideas for jewellery.

Source Qantas The Australian Way February 2010



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Editor. Writer. Traveller. Keeping tabs on all things fab. susan@excessallareas.com.au


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