Artist Eye (and Nose!) | Morocco

Every year, Ludovico’s passion for surfing takes us to hot spots around the nearby Atlantic. This time it was Morocco, and the trip had to include more than just the waves. We landed in Marrakesh – long on my wish list to visit – for a sweet, short introduction to this intriguing city. A walk through the souks was a must. I had anticipated leather, tapestries, ceramics and spices. A beautiful surprise was discovering ground pigments in an array of truly special colors. To know a place is to capture its colors, and these will be unpacked and used with joy in my Rome studio.

With limited time, our group needed to agree on our cultural activity: unanimously it was the Musée du Parfum. In this precious two-story riad, with velvet-curtained rooms containing stories and scents, the experience culminates the hand creation of a custom scent. Once there, the teens enthusiastically went about choosing their vibe, testing scents and concocting their signature eau de parfum.

I have envisioned creating a scent for Clù for some time, and here was the perfect moment to experiment with this. For my own personal perfume, I have had some practice in other perfumeries, and know my favorite notes (starting with a Vanilla base). In this petite and precious room, we were guided by an expert who has created thousands of scents for visitors over 20 years. Her passion and joy for each new spin on the scent palette was palpable. Clù’s magic combination includes notes of Peach, Bamboo and Ginger, plus an anonymous ingredient, a combination that is sweet and free, with a tinge of history, like silk rippling in the breeze.

After Marrakech, our trip continued through the desert (which was green! due to heavy rainfall), landing at last in a small, bohemian fishing village positioned amidst several surf spots. Here at the rustic edge of the Morocco, the colors, tastes and culture were even more concentrated. Wild dogs and goats roamed the village, where dilapidated structures stood adjacent chic bohemian surf houses and yoga studios. The tiny alleys were a semi-souk that included surfboard shops and street food stops.

A few days was enough to sample it all – and provide a certain justification for returning to know it better. This will not be my last trip to this fascinating place, a feast for all senses.