The fragrance was inspired by the colourful and creative party scene in Marrakesh in the 1960s and 70s. It is woody and pleasant with soft oriental spices. The fragrance notes include white honey, ambergris and sandalwood.
Johan Bergelin: ‘Stories about how Talitha and Paul Getty, Paul Bowles, Mick Jagger, Veruschka and Yves Saint Laurent all lived in Marrakech have always inspired me. I am fascinated by how they were drawn to the energy and dynamism of this kingdom and how they incorporated these influences into their lives: clothing, colours, music, interior design and drugs. The Kasbah fragrance captures this era.’
The Kasbah fragrance journey: my cultural tour
I meet taxi driver Said at the port of Tangier. He is my regular driver for the next few days. I am on a cultural tour to explore the kingdom. Before every major intersection, I toss a dirham coin. This is how we decide whether to turn right or left. The Atlas Mountains rise in the distance. When I arrive in Kasbah, I can see the logs still glowing from the night before. The huge doors covered with rough leather, together with the mud walls, create an atmosphere of times gone by. An aroma lamp exudes a pleasant scent of wood. A woman in a long white linen caftan walks by, leaving behind delicate notes of white honey, vanilla and ambergris. I leave the house and enter the yard, which is filled with lime and orange trees. An avenue of old, gnarled olive trees leads to the herb garden with its wonderful spice scents. The morning sun is shining. My bare feet on the soft, black and white patterned tiles, I close my eyes and breathe in. My driver Said sits on the terrace, holding a hand-rolled cigarette in one hand and a sebsi with glowing kif in the other. The hashish fills the air with a sweet, soft aroma along with a mixture of Berber, African and Arabic music.
