Inside Yves-Saint-Laurent Marrakech Home
Yves Saint Laurent and his partner Pierre Bergé were real lovers of Morocco. They have made Marrakech, the ocher city, their oasis of serenity, and the Villa Dar Es Saada – which stands for house of happiness in Arabic- their haven. During their first stay in Marrakech in 1966, Saint Laurent and Bergé stayed at La Mamounia hotel and instantly fell in love with the country. It became an inspiration that would last throughout their career.
Pierre Bergé and Yves Saint Laurent at their house in Dar Es Saada, Marrakech, Morocco, in 1977. GUY MARINEAU / MUSÉE YVES SAINT LAURENT
In his book, A Moroccan Passion, Pierre Bergé described their first stay in Marrakech as a life-changing revelation: “One morning, we woke up and the sun was there […] The birds were singing, the Atlas barred the horizon with snow, and the smells of jasmine rose in our room. That morning we have not forgotten him since, in a way, he decided our destiny.”
They entrusted their friend, Bill Willis, with the design of villa Es Saada, which recreated the “colonial design” they particularly loved. The Moorish decor featured a sensational zellige work covering the walls from floors to ceilings and from fireplaces to bathrooms. All was mixed with antique wood furniture, cactus silk pillows, brass and bronze lanterns, and a savant mix of traditional Berber rugs.
The following villa pictures were taken by photographer P. Horst for an issue of Vogue magazine.
© Photo by P. Horst/Condé Nast via Getty Images
© Photo by P. Horst/Condé Nast via Getty Images
© Photo by P. Horst/Condé Nast via Getty Images
© Photo by P. Horst/Condé Nast via Getty Images
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