Issue link: https://www.balharbourdigital.com/i/56249
Haute Holiday Some cities need to be experienced from an insider's point of view; here, Bruno Frisoni takes us on a tour of his home away from home in Tangier. BY BETH LANDMAN A vibrant, bustling, colorful mix of cul- tures, mysterious Tangier has long attracted artistic souls from Delacroix and Matisse to Jack Kerouac, Paul Bowles and Tennessee Williams. Where else can you stand in Africa, hear locals speaking Arabic and see Spain across the water? Always a city of contrasts, it has become more Bruno Frisoni at home in Tangier, a city where he draws much of his creative inspiration from for his Roger Vivier collections. of a sensory cornucopia than ever with the addition of a modern harbor and new development juxta- posed against arched mosques and ancient cob- blestone streets of the Medina. It takes an insider to navigate the twisting city, so who could be better to share his insights than one of the world's most respected artistic directors, Bruno Frisoni of Roger Vivier? You can almost see the city's geometric tiles and vivid hues reflected in the creations of Frisoni, who shares a retreat there with his partner, interior designer Hervé van der Straeten. Locally Sourced "Bird, a limited-edition shoe from a past collection, features a velvet-and-gold brocade V at the heel, which was inspired by the traditional loose-fitting hooded robes called djellabas worn by men in North Africa. The hood makes a little triangle on the back when they wear it; the shoe reflects that shape." String Theory "Years ago I saw a man wearing 66 BAL HARBOUR sandals, and there was a string for each toe criss- crossing in different directions. It inspired me to make something similar.'' Beach Retreat "One of the reasons I chose to have a house there is because you can swim in the Atlantic or Mediterranean; it's so magical. I go every day with friends—mostly to the Atlantic because the beaches are bigger, longer and wilder." No Trespassing "There is one beach that not everyone knows about that's very wild and has pail- lotes [tiki huts serving food and drinks on the beach]. It's just outside the town Asilah, about 20 kilometers away, and you can access it by a dirt road, from May to October. There is also a private beach at Le Mirage, a very chic hotel that feels a bit like Biarritz." Le Souk "Sometimes we'll find something at one place, and then we can't find the shop again for months. The stores are little and the streets are narrow; even I get lost, but you're supposed to.'' Haute Haunts "In the bar at the El Minzah Hotel they wear traditional outfits and serve great cocktails; you can imagine you are in the film Casablanca. There are houses in the adjacent bazaar, Tindouf, with several floors, and the owners will take you upstairs, show you the view and try to sell you carpets and fabrics. There is something very romantic about the place.'' Well Fed "There are a few spots I always like to go. There's an amazing 19th-Century palace that was converted into a restaurant called Casa de Italia, which has the most beautiful garden court- yard. When I'm in the mood for Mediterranean fare, I go to L'Ocean, which has a private beach and a garden where sheep, roosters and other animals run around.''