Tag: Marrakesh

Boticca.com

Lovelies, as you might know by now I love online shopping and I’m always on the look out for new quality online boutiques. A few weeks back I found a site selling the most stunning original jewelry and fashion accessories. I was really impressed and had to know more, where were these amazing pieces from? I emailed the team asking them if I could drop by and do a piece on them for my blog. The team behind Boticca welcomed me in and let me go on a treasure hunt in their office- that meant trying on every single piece in the name of research ;)

Boticca.com takes you on a shopping trip around the world, introducing you to emerging designers you might never have come across otherwise. Below are a few of my personal favourites sold on their website.

I’m totally in love with the Olivia Rose ring by LeiVanKash, in fact I’m crazy about all her pieces. I have a feeling that this ring is going to become as iconic as the arty YSL ring. Wait and see….

Leila Khashanipour ring

The one-of- a-kind silk and limited scarves by the Russian design duo behind Square Lust take you to a fantasy land. Their detailed motifs are breathtaking.

Recognize this Suzanna Dai necklace? It was worn by our beloved Blair Waldorf.

Her beautiful creations are a hit with the Gossip Girl cast.

It was love at first sight when I laid my eyes on this Poupee Couture bag. You can never have too many black bags right?!

There are so many more beautiful pieces I wanted to share with you. Why not pop over to Boticca and pick your own? Now time for a short interview with Avid Larizadeh, COO and co-founder of the online marketplace.

The team behind Boticca

Avid Larizadeh

How did idea of Boticca come to life, was it over a cup of coffee?

Kiyan, my co-founder, first came up with the idea while on a trip to Marrakesh with his girlfriend at the time. They were walking through the Medina and discovered an outstanding jewelry designer, Mariam, who stood out from the rest of the sellers in the marketplace because of her stunning jewelry and unique personal story. Mariam had initially started selling her pieces in the Atlas Mountains, where she was from, to women in her village. Because her pieces were so popular, she decided to travel to Marrakesh three times per week – two hours each way – to reach a larger customer base. Inspired by her story and the beauty of her pieces, Kiyan thought there had to be a way to enable designers like Mariam to reach more than just a few lucky tourists on holiday. And that’s how the idea of Boticca was born!

How does Boticca chose the designers it represents?

We have a strict set of criteria that we use when choosing our designers, which essentially falls into two main filters. The first one has to do with quality, professionalism and customer service. We make sure that everything on Boticca is of the highest quality, which has to do with the materials used and craftsmanship. Everyone we work with is a semi-professional or professional designer, as we are not a destination for hobbyists. The second filter has to do with style and inspiration. Boticca’s designers have a particular inspiration and their collections tell a story. These are pieces you won’t find on every street corner – they are unique in design and materials, prompting people to ask the wearer about them. Last but certainly not least, all of our designers are independent, emerging designers, and most of their pieces are either one-of-a-kind or limited edition.

What are your favourite pieces of the moment and what makes them so special to you? (I will add photos from the website)

Oh goodness, that’s a very difficult one. There are so many pieces I love and wear depending on the occasion. I guess this week I am in a bold and flirty mood, so a few of my favourites are:

Arata Fuchi’s jellyfish ring – I don’t think this one needs any explanation :-)

Little Glass Clementine’s Apocalyptic Demure necklace – So beautiful and delicate, and yet so bold and eye catching!

Joanna Dahdah’s Gladiator cuff – It makes you feel sexy and elegant!

Mojee’s Rumi Scarf – A beautiful Persian poet to wrap around you.

I know Boticca pieces are a big hit with celebrities, could you tell us about a few?

Of course! The Gossip Girl cast, for example, has worn Suzanna Dai’s jewelry a lot (Blake Lively and Leighton Meester). I actually own a couple of pieces from her and they are truly stunning. Cameron Diaz owns a couple of Gemma Redux’s pieces and Victoria Beckham has been seen wearing the Eddera headband.

Avid, you have achieved so much at such young age. What’s your advice to women who want to set up their own business?

That’s so kind of you to say – thank you! I guess my advice to women would be the same as to men, which is to make sure you are truly passionate about the business you are building and to find the right partner to build it with. I would never have been able to start Boticca alone.

Not only did Kiyan come up with a brilliant idea, but he is also a great business partner. There is a strong element of trust based on common values and ethics, but also based on proven execution. We both know that the other one will always deliver on his/her commitments. In addition, as you are going through tough times, which you invariably will, it is important to have someone to do it with. So we pump each other up. We work very hard on Boticca because we are both passionate about it. The long hours don’t matter as much, because I love what I do and I am proud of my team and what we are striving to build.