LAURICE MURR,
THE ARTIST BEHIND MARAKAND
“I have always been fascinated by Suzani fabrics. Their intricate embroidery, ethnic vibrancy, bohemian look, beautiful patterns and eloquent design motifs are a lifetime inspiration.”
With a particular interest for antique and vintage furniture, the designer’s attraction to all things furniture comes from her family’s long tradition in furniture creation
. It is during a trip to Uzbakistan that her career took a colorful turn; at that very moment, she fell under the spell of Suzani (Farsi for needle).
“Suzanis draw inspiration from the beautiful textile designs of historic nomads. Every Suzani is a one-of-a-Kind handcrafted item. Some Suzanis hold in them 60 years of rich history, and bring their owners an experience that evokes old memories and promises to create new ones. “
Laurice’s passion for what is unique led her to create the Marakand atelier and eponymous collection of furniture, fashion and accessories, a fusion between the traditional art of Suzani with contemporary furniture pieces. This fusion brings out a range of the finest pieces of home furniture and decoration, as well as kaftans, clutches and accessories, coveted the world over. Stitching together Uzbekistan and Lebanon
Keeping the magic of the Suzani tradition alive, every piece of furniture celebrates the age-old power and mastery of 'the needle" embroidery. Proudly ‘Made in Lebanon’ by artisan hands and celebrating the marriage of contemporary living and artisan workmanship, our signature pieces tell tales of time and dedication. Woven in cotton, silk and satin stitches, their stories are as rich as their colors. They carry in their threads the talismanic mysteries of suns and moons, the breathtaking beauty of tulips, carnations and irises, and the intricate sophistication of leaves, lotus vines, pomegranates and chili peppers. Adorned with symbols of luck, health and long life, they seduce you with their captivating color combinations of orange, red, pink and turquoise. Your Home
Centuries before the cotton and silk embroidered textiles became a favorite of jet-setters as well as ‘60s and ‘70s aficionados alike, Suzanis were intricately hand-stitched by brides-to-be in Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan as bed coverings or wedding canopies. They tell the story of grandmothers’ and mothers’ love for their daughters and granddaughters, and the beautiful handcrafted dowry pieces, so laboriously created, are meant to bring happiness, protection and prosperity to the couple’s life. Woven in every stitch are the wishful symbols of joy, fertility, long life, prosperity, fruitfulness, good health and protection from evil eye. Just like these pieces traditionally symbolized the marriage of two families, the unique pieces handcrafted by Marakand symbolize today the joining of the old with the new, the vintage with the modern, the nomadic with the boho, so you can incorporate these unique textiles into your home. The effort, energy, creativity and time dedicated to creating Suzani embroidery make them an absolute embodiment of living art. Your Style
Our fabrics tell our story and bring us back to what inspired us to start Marakand in the first place. Suzani, vintage fabrics, and bringing those two beautiful worlds together! After the homes, it was time to venture into the world of kaftans. Icons of timeless elegance, every garment is handcrafted with passion and care to transcend time and give you a mystical aura fused with unspoken secrets and untold stories…
The Marakand kaftans, bejeweled and hand-embroidered with bold or earthy colors make every day glamorous. Timeless but modern, bold but classic, they will soon become your wardrobe favorite. Pair them with our stunning Ikat clutches, and let your imagination run freely as you embroider your own tales with every piece you wear!
