The design of the architectural structure was done by Romeo Gigli with the help of young Italian architect Giacomo Allievi, while the design of the interiors and furnitures is wholly born out of Romeo’s creative mind and produced by local artisans under his attentive scrutiny. This makes Riad Romeo a “window onto Romeo Gigli’s world” and effectively a view of his creative process from the translation and communion of culture, tradition and innovation.

Romeo Gigli studied architecture as a young student and has always thought of his projects at 360°. Each collection came from a dedicated research of a culture or peoples or region, all read with the same soundtrack. Each of his spaces, may they be studios or shops, were always designed and ideated by Romeo as a whole. His unequivocal focus is communion, whether it be between his work and other designers (such as Yoji Yamamoto or Comme des Garçons) or between his work and ethnic pieces.

This same philosophy stands as the epicenter of Riad Romeo. You find this in the collaboration with Jacopo Foggini as well as all the furniture made with traditional Moroccan techniques made contemporary.

Riad Romeo is found at the end of Derb Tbib in Riad Zitoun Jdid in an area that is still largely inhabited by local families that have been in the area for generations.

This is one of the reasons why the place attracted the attention of Lara and Romeo in 2004 when they decided to purchase the Riad. The quest to find a Riad for what then they had thought to spend their family holidays came after the abrupt death of Lara’s father due to Leukemia and during a very bittersweet family trip to Marrakech where even little Diletta, and Bonizza (Lara’s mother) joined.

Fast-forward to 2020, covid hits, and the family is reunited again in Marrakech, where Lara and Romeo decided to spend their retirement. This is when Diletta suggests transforming the Riad into a Maison d’hôtel.

COLLABORATION WITH JACOPO FOGGINI

Jacopo Foggini, a lifetime friend of Romeo and Lara, started experimenting in the late 90s with a material used in his family business, methacrylate. In 1997 Jacopo had his first solo exhibition in Romeo Gigli’s space in Milan. Since then he has grown to be an internationally renowned designer with his work exhibited in over 60 galleries and venues worldwide.

Riad Romeo features Jacopo’s Minin Octopus in Yellow, his Jellyfish in greens and blues, and an installation piece born out of a collaboration with Romeo, Dew Waterfall, on the stairs. Finally, the terrace bar is made in Jacopo’s polycarbonate, and the chairs are from his Veronica Collection for the Italian design company, Edra.