Trends and hidden gems in Morocco

How lucky were we, to visit Morocco over New Year, flying in for a few days to explore Marrakesh, then on to a surf town and finally up to the Atlas Mountains? Felt like an entirely different world just three and a half hours flight away from London. What we didn't realise was that we were in good company, with Yottam Ottolenghi arriving on the same day and Madonna riding along our beach just hours before we did. Marrakesh was also where Guess chose to celebrate its 45th anniversary, with a runway show in a palace and glamping in the desert nearby.

Drawn like them to the country's rich heritage, delicious flavours, vibrant colours, exotic gardens and warm hospitality, we toured the medina, learnt how bread is traditionally baked, saw Tanjia (typically beef or lamb with spices, saffron and preserved lemons) still being slow cooked in the hot ashes of the hammam furnace, watched rugs take shape by hand on the loom and marvelled at the lush Majorelle and Le Jardin Secret gardens after rain.

We drank coffee, stroked cats and ate the best pistachio cookies at Thirty5ive Marrakesh. We enjoyed the warm service and good food at The Petanque Social Club, though it was too wet for petanque. Then we were off to Sidi Kaouki, a wonderfully relaxed surf town, for some beach time. We had the best surfing lessons with Ali at Side Kaouki Surf Club Ocean Vibes, rode Barb stallions up into the hills and back along the beach, yoga on the roof and quad biked over the dunes.

Kasbah D'Eau was a fabulous place to eat as a large group. the rooms with sea views are spectacular. We all loved the food at BAM. What looked at first sight like a laid back shipping container cafe/beach shack turned out to be a seriously good sharing plate and dirty burger restaurant. Our New Year's Eve party at Dar Baba was another highlight, for its fabulous cocktails, food, DJ and party vibes making for an unforgettable night. Finally we took to the hills, staying in Kasbah Bab Ourika, a stunningly located hotel in the foothills of the snowy Atlas Mountains.

Wool and wellness
Our merino wool Second Skin base layers were the perfect extra
lightweight layer as temperatures fluctuated from 7C and 21C, with Noir scarves added for extra cosiness. Even more interest in this natural fibre was visible on the S/S 2026 catwalks at Thom Browne, Chanel, Dior and Givenchy. “As citizens demand more from what they wear, comfort, performance, traceability and responsibility, merino wool is meeting the moment” says Woolmark’s managing director John Roberts.

Is the clothing you wear causing you harm?
At Noir we're increasingly concerned by research showing that tiny plastic particles from cheap synthetic fabrics and 'recycled from bottles' materials don't just pollute rivers and oceans, they also shed into the air you breath and the food you eat when you wear and wash them, allowing microplastics to accumulate in the body and potentially harm your long term health.

Instead of chasing the lowest cost or the most marketable 'eco' story, we carefully try to choose higher quality, lower shedding materials and work with responsible partners so our products are designed to respect both the planet and the people who live in it.

That's why we are off to visit a new factory in Portugal, continuing our quest to make the perfect trouser and other life enhancing clothing. Not only are we checking out the latest eco conscious fabrics but we are also meeting potential partners who are at the forefront of measuring traceability and environmental impact. It's part of our aim to keep materials that are bad for us away from our skin.

Until next time,

Lisa & Bex