“Zahra was born in Morocco, she moved to Paris for her studies and graduated from CELSA Paris in Marketing and Media Management. She started her career working at Loewe in the Press and International Coordination department, then worked for four years at Marie Claire Group as the Chief Marketing Officer. After 11 years in Paris, she recently moved to Rabat to launch JNOUN - a creative studio and clothing line in collaboration with her sister Meriem Bennani.”
ON HER MORNING ROUTINE
When I’m home, I wake up around 7, wash and moisturize my face, brush my teeth, have a large mug of tea, a fresh homemade juice and wholewheat bread with honey and flax seed, while checking my emails and daily “to do list”.
on her personal style
I have different shopping habits depending on the city I’m in. I also shop online a lot. In NYC, I look for vintage jeans and jackets at 10 Ft Single, bodysuits and basics at American Apparel, sneakers at the Nike lab and limited editions at Opening Ceremony. In Paris, I get tops and jackets from Ba&sh or Claudie Pierlot, rings at Monsieur, shoes at & Other Stories...
on her background in fashion
Fashion came to me naturally because it felt like a family affair. I grew up in my grand-mother’s studio of moroccan traditional garments. My mother has also been developing her own line and I’ve always loved making my own clothes. JNOUN came from the desire to collaborate with my sister Meriem Bennani and join our complementary skills. She is a Brooklyn-based artist, and I have a marketing and fashion background. We’ve always loved developing ideas together through our respective areas of expertise.
on her haircare routine
In the summer, after applying my shampoo and conditioner, I rinse my hair with chamomile tea for natural golden highlights! It’s a tip my mother taught me and I’ve kept it from childhood. I also use L'Oreal Paris Elnett Hairspray for Color-Treated Hair, Phytokeratine Repairing Shampoo, and Macadamia Natural Oil Nourishing Leave-In Cream
“Our project JNOUN started in Paris, has been designed in NYC, and produced in Rabat. We wanted to bridge creative and geographic gaps between these three cities that feel like home to us. We both grew up in Rabat. We have both lived in Paris. My sister now lives in NYC where I also spend a lot of time.”
on her skincare routine
I always favors dermatological product (such as Laroche Posay Toleriane Soothing Protective Skincare and Dermo-Cleanser or Avene) - especially for face care, and natural products such as traditional moroccan ones: rose water to cleanse the face, argan oil to moisturize my body and hair. And I try to go to the Hammam on a regular basis for a traditional body scrub. I also use Philosophy Renewed Hope In A Jar Moisturizer, and Kiehl's Foaming Non-Detergent Washable Cleanser.
on spending time in rabat at flea markets
In Rabat, I spend a lot of time in the fabric market - it’s always exciting and gives me a lot of ideas to design my own clothes! I go there with a specific idea of what I’m looking for, and most of the time leave with tones of fabrics I had a crush on. Also I love to go shopping in flea markets around Rabat, especially to find unique accessories.
on new york city
What I love about NYC, Paris & Rabat is that there’re so different! These 3 cities are so inspiring, each on a different level; and the fact that you get to experience it from the inside at the same time creates a kind of coherent cross-cultural vibe mixing Europe, America and Africa - I feel lucky ! On the one hand you have New York & Paris, high spirited, always buzzing; and the other, Rabat, more confidential and soothing. The latter helps me get perspective about life & work, the other two help me challenge and confront my new ideas. I particularly love the NYC vibe in the summer: endless nights - between exhibition openings, barbecues in the backyards, rooftop parties...and deep detox yoga and cleansing program the day after! Paris is amazing during the spring when the sun is back: afterwork rosés on the crowded terraces or along the canal, Sunday flea markets, and long walks around the city. Rabat is sunny all year long, you spend the week-ends at the beach at least 6 months a year. Also you have an emerging artistic and cultural scene in the downtown with really interesting things going on.
zahra's favorite places IN new york city
Favorite brunch : Five Leaves
Favorite tacos : La Superior
Favorite cocktails : Hotel Delmano
Favorite juices : 3 roots
Favorite theater : Nitehawk
Top: JNOUN, Pants: American Apparel, Shoes: & Other Stories, Sunglasses: Awoke Vintage, Coat: Acne