Shiza Shahid's Journey to Marrakech: A Fusion of Culture and Craft
Shiza Shahid, the founder of Our Place, a brand renowned for its non-toxic kitchenware, reflects on her travels that weave together family, culture, and creativity. As an immigrant with family spread across the globe, Shiza has always associated travel with familial connections. She expresses, "Travel has always been tied to family for me. Visiting relatives and moving between places has taught me that home can exist in multiple geographies. Each new destination brings familiar feelings through food, language, and rituals, and this concept of connection across distances has profoundly stayed with me." This perspective significantly influences her business, as she states, "I travel as part of the work because much of what we create is shaped by the people and places we encounter." Each journey, whether it involves meeting artisans or collaborating with teams globally, profoundly enhances the way products are developed and designed.
A Memorable Work Trip to Marrakech
In late 2024, Shiza embarked on a significant work trip to Marrakech, where she engaged with local artisans as part of a project to develop a limited-edition tagine. This experience was not only about creating a product but also celebrating and preserving rich traditions. Shiza describes, "There is something incredibly grounding about building a product not in isolation, but in deep collaboration with the people and places that have shaped it for generations." The journey commenced with a flight through Paris, which she found to be a seamless transition, allowing for a reflective pause before immersing herself in the vibrant culture of Marrakech. Accompanied by her husband and co-founder, Amir Tehrani, along with two product leaders from their team, the trip was a blend of partnership and craft, enabling real-time decision making and creative synergy.
During her stay at the beautifully restored riad, Dar Kawa, Shiza and her team focused on refining the tagine, ensuring that every detail honored traditional craftsmanship while catering to modern kitchen standards. The trip also involved deepening relationships with local partners and immersing themselves in Moroccan cuisine, which provided invaluable insights into the local culture and culinary practices. Shiza emphasizes the importance of this journey, stating that traveling to meet craftsmen and makers worldwide is one of the most meaningful aspects of her work. The experience in Morocco left an indelible impact on her perspective, transforming her admiration for the country into a deeper understanding of its culture and craftsmanship.
As Shiza reflects on her journey, she acknowledges the profound inspiration that Marrakech provides. The city embodies a unique blend of history and modernity, where design is omnipresent in architecture and everyday life. Wandering through the medina and engaging with local artisans enriches one's understanding of the cultural tapestry that influences their work. Ultimately, Shiza Shahid's travels highlight the significance of connection, memory, and the honoring of traditions in her approach to design and craftsmanship.
As reported by cntraveler.com.
