Elle Australia - 03.2019

THE

BIRTHPLACE

MOROCCO

JUDITH MILGROM,

FOUNDER OF MAJE

I was born in Rabat, the capital of
Morocco, a beautiful country that still
has a place in my heart. Although I left
when I was 10 to live in Paris, I’m still
deeply attached to my homeland. I think
it shows in my collections, which are
always infused with bright colours and
bold prints. The colours of the Moroccan
sky, the flowers, the smells of different
spices – all these memories are still very
strong for me. I had a very happy
childhood. My mother and grandmother
made everything for us, from delicious
meals to our clothes, and that is what
inspired my passion for craftsmanship.
In preparation for Maje’s 20th
anniversary last year, we shot
a campaign in three locations, each
telling a part of the Maje story. The first
was shot by photographer Thurstan
Redding with model Yasmin Wijnaldum
in Morocco, chosen because it reflects
my roots, my childhood.
I didn’t want to shoot in the desert, or
in a medina, or even in Marrakech itself

• they’re all beautiful locations, but a bit
  clichéd. Instead, I was looking for
  somewhere special, full of energy and
  colour; somewhere you couldn’t
  immediately identify.

TRAVEL

When we found the Ouzoud Falls in

the Atlas Mountains, a few hours’ drive

from Marrakech, I knew it was the

perfect spot. I felt overcome. Even

though I had never been there before, it

somehow felt familiar.

Thurstan shot Yasmin on a tree, with

the waterfalls in the background and the

rocks ranging in colour from sand to

cognac, with splashes of green. Yasmin

looked tiny against the wild landscape,

and the setting – all saffron, pink and

turquoise colours – reminded me of

a Bollywood movie. It was magical.

This shoot will forever remain in my

heart because it was created in my

homeland. My heritage has helped

define the essence of the brand, which is

a mix of Morocco and Paris. My heart is

deeply attached to Morocco, which is

a part of me and formed my earliest

memories. It will always remain my

spiritual home, even though I feel Parisian.

I’ll always be a mix of different influences,

and that will continue to resonate in

Maje’s collections. >

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@majeofficiel

Ouzoud Falls

@thurstanredding