Casablanca – Côté Bougie Marrakech has opened a new flagship store in Casablanca as part of the inaugural Morocco Design, bringing together the world of fragrance and interior design in a space shaped by Moroccan craftsmanship and contemporary aesthetics.
The moment you step inside, scent and design begin to work together. Fragrance fills the space, while the materials, textures, and carefully considered details create an atmosphere that feels distinctly Moroccan without feeling stuck in the past.
A Moroccan identity, reimagined
Moroccan architect and designer Youssef Benhamou designed the store around a simple but striking balance. Traditional references give the space its identity, while contemporary lines and a thoughtful approach to materials keep it feeling fresh.
Rather than recreating a traditional Moroccan interior, the design reinterprets its familiar elements through a more modern lens. The result feels rooted in Moroccan culture while leaving room for a quieter, more contemporary expression.
This approach also reflects Benhamou’s wider design philosophy. As the founder of Benhamou Studio, the Casablanca-based interior architect explores how light, materials, and proportions can shape the way people experience a space. His work often brings architecture, craftsmanship, and contemporary design into conversation.
More than a fragrance store
Founded in Marrakech in 2003 by Saïda Kadiri, Côté Bougie began with a desire to share Moroccan craftsmanship through scented candles. Her son, Omar Benabberrazik, joined the business two years later, helping develop the family venture into a recognized name in Moroccan home fragrance.
Today, the brand’s collections extend beyond candles to include diffusers and home fragrances. Each product draws inspiration from Morocco’s culture, scents, and artisanal traditions, turning everyday objects into small details that shape the atmosphere of a home.
Speaking to Lifestyle magazine about the brand, Côté Bougie Casablanca owner Salwa Mourid described its approach as a meeting between handmade Moroccan craftsmanship and contemporary design.
“Our products are handmade in Morocco by local artisans, combining traditional Moroccan craftsmanship with contemporary design,” she said.
That connection between the familiar and the contemporary gives the brand its character. The products carry the warmth of Moroccan artisanal work, while their design allows them to fit naturally into modern interiors.
A fitting moment for Morocco Design
The Casablanca opening also connects with the wider vision behind Morocco Design, whose inaugural edition brings Moroccan creativity and design into focus through a range of spaces, objects, and collaborations.
Côté Bougie’s new store fits naturally into that conversation. It shows how Moroccan craftsmanship can move beyond its traditional settings without losing the details that make it distinctive.
Here, the experience begins with a fragrance but extends to the space around it. The scent, the materials, and the design all tell parts of the same story, one that keeps Moroccan heritage at its heart while allowing it to evolve.
Read Also: What Does Morocco Smell Like? Côté Bougie Is Trying to Bottle It
