Marrakech as a fashion and production destination

Marrakech has long attracted designers, photographers and brands. Its colours, light and architecture have become part of the visual language of fashion, and today it is a regular stop for editorials, lookbooks, campaigns and hotel content. Here is why productions keep choosing the city, and what it offers a team planning a shoot.

A city with a fashion history

The link between Marrakech and fashion is not new. Yves Saint Laurent’s long relationship with the city, now remembered in the museum dedicated to him next to the Majorelle Garden, made Marrakech a reference for designers around the world. Its palette of terracotta walls, deep blues, greens and spice colours, along with its craftsmanship in leather, textiles, metal and zellige tile, continues to inspire collections and creative direction.

For a production, that history means something practical: the city is used to cameras, and its visual identity is instantly recognisable in an image.

Many looks within easy reach

The biggest advantage of Marrakech is variety in a short radius. In a single trip, a team can shoot:

• The medina: earth-coloured walls, carved doors, souks and rooftops.
• Riads and palaces: courtyards, fountains, tiles and carved plaster.
• Modern Marrakech: boutique hotels, contemporary villas, design shops and the wide avenues of the new town.
• Gardens and the Palmeraie: greenery, palm trees and pools.
• The Agafay desert: a stone desert about an hour from the city.
• The High Atlas: mountains, valleys and Berber villages within a day trip.

Further away, Essaouira adds an Atlantic coastline and the Sahara its great dunes. Our guide to shooting fashion in Marrakech goes through each location and the best seasons.

Light almost all year

Marrakech enjoys a lot of sunshine across the year. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons; summer is hot but workable with early and late shooting; winter days are often bright and mild, which makes the city a popular choice for shooting warm-weather collections when much of Europe is grey.

Easy to reach

Marrakech Menara Airport is close to the city centre and has direct flights to many European cities, a few hours away. Morocco is also close to European time zones, which makes it easy to coordinate with clients and post-production teams abroad. For productions coming from Europe, that means less travel time and more shooting time.

A hospitality industry built for productions

The city’s hotels, riads and villas are used to hosting guests with high expectations, and many are used to hosting shoots. That makes it easier to find a location that also works as a base: a place to stay, dress, do hair and make-up, and shoot interiors when the outdoor light is too strong. Hospitality brands themselves are also major producers of content in Marrakech, from campaign images to social media.

Local crews and talent

A production in Marrakech can count on local photographers, stylists, hair and make-up artists, fixers and production companies, alongside the teams it brings with it. And for casting, it doesn’t need to fly every model in.

That is where a local model agency helps. At Emporio Models Marrakech, we represent two kinds of talent:

• Moroccan models based in Marrakech, available for direct bookings, tests, lookbooks and campaigns.
• International models in town from the Emporio Models network, in Marrakech for a set period and open for work while they are here.

Booking locally reduces travel costs, simplifies scheduling and brings faces that fit the setting. See who is available now on our women and men boards, using the In Town filter.

What kind of work is shot in Marrakech?

• Fashion editorials for print and online magazines.
• Lookbooks and e-commerce for fashion, swimwear and accessories brands.
• Beauty content that uses the warm, natural light.
• Hotel and hospitality campaigns for properties in the city and beyond.
• Commercial and brand content, including video and social media.

Planning tips for a smooth production

• Scout early, online and, if possible, in person. Locations in the medina look very different at different times of day.
• Check permits for public spaces, monuments, drones and video work. Rules depend on the project; a local production company can advise.
• Build the schedule around the light and the heat, especially from June to September.
• Respect local customs: ask before photographing people, dress codes in religious and residential areas, and the rhythm of Ramadan and holidays.
• Book models early if you want specific international faces, since their dates in the city are limited. Our guide explains how to book a model in Marrakech.

Frequently asked questions

Is Marrakech a good place for a fashion shoot in winter?

Often, yes. Winter days are usually bright and mild, which suits warm-weather collections, but mornings and evenings are cold, especially in the desert and the mountains. Plan warm layers for the models between looks.

Do I need to bring models from abroad?

Not necessarily. You can book Moroccan models based in Marrakech and international models who are in the city for a period. Tell us the profiles you need and we will send you a selection.

Can you book models for shoots elsewhere in Morocco?

Yes. We are based in Marrakech and book models for shoots across Morocco, from Casablanca and Rabat to Agadir, Essaouira and the desert.

Shooting in Marrakech soon?

Tell us your dates, location and brief through our contact page or on WhatsApp, and we will come back to you with available models and a quote. Models who would like to join the agency can apply here.