I first met Asmaa Benkirane on the rooftop of the Betsy Hotel on South Beach. I remember it well: it was a ruthlessly hot day. I was there to shoot a Miami spa month story for Deco Drive and I was trying not to sweat bullets through my new, bright green Moroccan style sundress. Wishful thinking…
Within 30 seconds of stepping onto the ocean front, open-air spa veranda, sweat started beading onto my upper lip and traces of moisture trickled down my back. I’m not gonna lie; I was pretty miserable, but I adored the spirit of the people pitching and presenting the story, so I was in it; sweaty neck, back, dress and all.
By the way, sometimes not even that uber-thick, pancake-like television make-up can withstand the South Florida heat. So, you just melt and try to make the best of it. Just as I started dabbing the dampness from my face with the back of my hand, Asmaa walked out of the hotel and into the blistering heat like a cool summer breeze.
She was light, airy and incredibly good-natured. She complimented me on my dress immediately, which would win any woman over, but when she told me she owned a store that specialized in couture kaftans, it caught my attention. Coincidentally, I had just purchased the pretty aforementioned green dress a few weeks prior at Anthropology. I loved its delicate detailing, flowing fit and the way it reminded me of something a woman in Morocco would wear.
Read the rest of my “Moroccan Dreams” fashion article at www.wsvn.com or shop the look at www.lebeaumaroc.com and remember, if it makes you happy, wear it!