NOTES FROM THE FIELD: sourcing
in morocco

Notes from the Field is a series that follows our founder, Treana Peake, as she travels to meet Obakki’s artisan partners around the world. In this edition, Treana journeys through Morocco—meeting makers in the bustling souks of Fes to the remote villages of the Atlas Mountains.

Along the way, she uncovers the stories behind Morocco’s most treasured crafts: hand-carved woodworks, ancient Tadelakt pottery, naturally dyed Moroccan rugs, and our cult-favourite Prickly Pear Oil, sustainably harvested for Obakki Skincare.

Morocco is a country of contrasts. Coastlines that meet the Mediterranean and the Atlantic, snow-dusted mountains in the High Atlas, and a desert that stretches endlessly toward the Sahara. Despite having visited the country before, this would be my first sourcing trip. I wanted to focus on uncovering true artisanship—the kind that is often hidden beneath the surface of what’s sold to tourists.

MARRAKECH: A CITY OF TEXTURES AND STORIES

Landing in Marrakech felt both familiar and entirely new. The city had shifted since my last visit, yet its energy was instantly grounding. We stayed at El Fenn, the perfect place to begin the trip. Everything in the hotel was thoughtfully curated with local Moroccan designers — warm, earthy tones, layered textures, and intentional imperfection that spoke to me after decades of exploring Africa.

Marrakech is alive with incredible restaurants, boutiques, and design studios. LRNCE remains a favorite, and of course, getting lost in the souk is essential. But with the help of my local consultant, I quickly learned that much of what you see in the souk is made for tourists rather than rooted in true Moroccan tradition. That guidance was invaluable, leading me to the authentic makers hidden deep within the medina and other parts of the country.

On the Road: Landscapes and Shifting Horizons

Leaving Marrakech, the road itself became part of the story. Driving across Morocco is the best way to experience the country’s essence — sometimes for hours we were the only car on the highway, surrounded by silence and sky. Villages appeared almost as extensions of the land, their earth-built homes rising from the soil as though shaped by the ground itself.

The landscape shifted with every turn — fertile valleys gave way to rocky cliffs, stretches of desert opened into green terraces, and hills shimmered with olive groves. The air carried Morocco’s distinct perfume: the sharp sweetness of neroli blossoms, the warm, nutty richness of argan, and the dry spice of sun-warmed earth. It was a reminder that this journey wasn’t only about reaching the next artisan, but about absorbing the spirit of the country itself.

Moroccan Rugs: THE WEAVERS OF HIGH ATLAS

We traveled into the Atlas Mountains, where I discovered a cooperative of weavers bringing ancient techniques back to life. Their rugs, dyed with henna, indigo, and pigments pulled straight from the earth, carried colors that felt alive — each one tied to the land around them.

But this magical workshop was on the verge of disappearing. It had just been sold to a foreign buyer who planned to dismantle the natural dyeing tradition and replace it with synthetic methods. It was heartbreaking to imagine generations of knowledge reduced to chemical shortcuts. I offered support through the Obakki Foundation in hopes of preserving their legacy, and in the meantime, I purchased as much as I could.

These are some of the most soulful pieces I’ve ever encountered — you can feel the land, the history, and the love woven into every thread. Browse the entire collection here.

Design Inspiration:
Eden Valley Boutique Hotel

Along the way, we discovered Eden Valley Boutique Hotel, built entirely by local makers with local materials. Every corner carried the touch of Moroccan craft — woven rugs, carved wood, clay, and plaster shaped by local hands. The result was an atmosphere that felt both breathtaking and deeply authentic, the kind of place where design tells a story rather than just filling a space.

For me, this is the future of hospitality. As travelers, we don’t want generic objects that could belong anywhere — we want to feel the soul of a place through its craft. Hotels that embrace this approach create experiences that stay with guests long after they leave.

At Obakki, this same philosophy guides our Design Trade Program. When we work with international hotels and restaurants, our focus is always on connecting them with local artisans who can create the pieces that bring a property to life. It’s not about importing trends, but about uncovering the authentic, culturally rooted details that make a space unforgettable. Eden Valley was a reminder of how powerful that can be: when design is shaped by the people and traditions of a place, the result is always extraordinary.

From Prickly Pear to Skincare

Before venturing into the desert, we spent time with local prickly pear farmers in Morocco — the source of one of Obakki Skincare’s most treasured ingredients: Prickly Pear Oil. We learned how carefully this fruit is harvested, how climate shifts and environmental changes are making it increasingly rare, and why it has been valued for generations for its incredible benefits for the skin. Meeting the farmers gave me a new layer of appreciation for the prickly pear facial oil we use.

With that in mind, heading into the desert to shoot our skincare campaign felt especially meaningful. The dunes stretched endlessly before us, a reminder of both the beauty and fragility of this landscape. As the sun set and the sky shifted colors, we took a quiet pause to absorb it all. It was a moment of stillness, beauty, and connection — and it felt like the perfect reflection of the trip itself. A journey not just of design and sourcing, but of relationships, landscapes, and traditions that all weave together to shape what we do at Obakki.

LESSONS FROM MOROCCO

This trip reaffirmed what I’ve always believed: authenticity matters. The most powerful design and the most meaningful products are those that stay true to place, tradition, and people. When artisans are supported, when craft is preserved, and when culture is honored, we create not only beautiful objects but also a sustainable future.

Morocco reminded me that true design doesn’t need embellishment. The beauty lies in the raw and untouched — the texture of hand-spun wool, the warmth of olive wood, the earthiness of natural dyes, the imperfection of clay shaped by hand. These materials, left honest and unaltered, allow design to shine in its purest form.As designers, curators, and travelers, we are not searching for the polished or the manufactured. We are seeking stories layered into texture, pieces that carry the scent of the earth, and objects that feel both timeless and deeply rooted in place. This is the kind of design that stirs emotion — earthy, grounding, and unforgettable.

Our Moroccan collection will be one of my favorites to launch. Each piece holds within it the landscapes, stories, and hands that shaped it — a reminder that true beauty is born from integrity and connection.

SHOP THE MOROCCO COLLECTION