It has been said that Marrakech awakens all of the senses. Whether it is seeing the intricate zellige tilework; smelling the various spices sold at the souks; hearing the call to prayer emanate from the nearby mosques; touching the supple leather used to make a pair of babouches (leather sandals); tasting a flavorful tagine, Marrakech never fails to excite. Located just west of the Atlas Mountains, the city has been inhabited by Berber farmers for centuries. It has been dubbed the "Ochre City" because of the proliferation of red sandstone buildings and the red city walls, which now enclose the Medina, home to Jemaa el-Fnaa, one of the busiest squares in Africa.
Marrakech overflows with culture and has been inspiring visitors for decades. From Yves Saint Laurent to Talitha Getty, Winston Churchill to Mick Jagger, Marrakech has attracted great icons inspired by its eternal spirit as well as its sweet, beautiful life. Yves Saint Laurent's intimate relationship to this city lead to the opening of a museum dedicated to his legendary work. The annual Marrakech International Film Festival draws a prominent crowd. Museums abound, exhibiting Moroccan arts, photography, carpets, and the Andalusian design aesthetic that permeates the city's architecture. La Mamounia hotel, opened in 1923, offers a storied history, which includes hosting guests such as Winston Churchill. Vanessa Branson's El Fenn is a collection of traditional riads that form a stunning boutique hotel. There are countless ways to be immersed in the culture of Marrakech, but perhaps the best place to start is with a simple glass of mint tea.
Petite fille d'Elsa Schiaparelli (1890 - 1973), Marisa Berenson s'est plongée dans ses archives de famille pour publier un livre d'images qui rend hommage à « Schiap », créatrice de mode qui fit sensation dans le Paris de l'entre-deux-guerres.
Une enfance entre New York, Paris, Rome... Son père préside aux destinées des compagnies d'Aristote Onassis puis est nommé ambassadeur par J F Kennedy. Sa grand-mère est la célèbre créatrice Elsa Schiaparelli, qui a marqué le monde de la mode du XXe siècle. Un parcours ponctué d'amitiés inoubliables avec Andy Warhol, Truman Capote... d'engagements aussi dans des causes humanitaires aux côtés de l'Unesco. Dans cet ouvrage, Marisa Berenson lève le voile sur ses passions, ses mystères, ses rencontres, ses bonheurs et ses drames aussi, comme celui du 11 septembre 2001. Moments intimes, pudiques, émouvants, à travers l'univers artistique international, avec pour guide une femme à la beauté fascinante.
