1-54 CONTEMPORARY AFRICAN
ART FAIR, MARRAKECH
In partnership with Sotheby’s, Helmer, Sana Jardin and the 1-54 Art Fair, EC co-hosted a series of art, luxury and cultural events in Marrakech.
On the 20th February, Entourage Collection was delighted to launch the new collaboration between Helmer X Mimouni El Houssaine, the Moroccan-based artist, as well as a discussion with Amy Christiansen, Founder of Sana Jardin, and the Presidents of her Moroccan cooperative. The intimate breakfast was held at Riad El Fenn with owner Vanessa Branson and Sotheby’s in attendance.
Helmer’s exquisite bags and accessories are carefully handcrafted by local, family-run artisans who have been creating handbags for generations. These artisans are the foundation of the Helmer business and Helmer is committed to promoting and helping their partner’s businesses to grow successfully, through providing skills and training to the artisans they work with. Philanthropy and sustainability have always been at the core of Helmer, and a true commitment to “give back” to the communities in which Helmer live and work is the cornerstone of the Helmer ethos.
We were joined at the breakfast by Amy Christiansen, the Founder of Sana Jardin, the socially conscious luxury fragrance house that use clean and sustainable perfume as a vehicle for social impact and the empowerment of women. Sana Jardin is built on the principles of a circular economy, with a business model that enables the women in their supply chain to become micro-entrepreneurs by up-cycling the waste products from perfume production; we were also joined by the Presidents of the Sana Jardin cooperative in Morocco, who presented the products that they make and sell, including candles and drinks, with the help of Sana Jardin.
Entourage Collection was also honoured to co-host a panel discussion between Touria El Glaoui (Founder of the 1-54 Art Fair), moderator Mai Eldib (Head of 20th Century and Middle East sales at Sotheby’s), Amy Christiansen, Shevanne Helmer, and the incredible London-based, Moroccan-born artist Hassan Hajjaj, where the topic Inclusivity in Arts, Culture and Commerce was discussed to a packed room as part of the 1-54 VIP cultural events programme of the Fair. To listen to the entire panel discussion, please click here.
Other highlights and activations of the trip included a private screening of the film Queen and Slim with a Q&A with the director, Melina Matsoukas afterwards; an exclusive preview of the Jacques Azéma exhibition at the Studio KO- designed YSL Museum; and a range of events and parties at the homes of the top art collectors and philanthropists in Marrakech.