OURIKA COMMUNITY GARDENS

In the untouched landscape of the Moroccan Atlas Mountains, known for its extreme conditions, YSL Beauty created exceptional gardens. In collaboration with dry landscapes designers and a cooperative of 32 local women, botanicals are grown in respect of water and soil and harvested to explore their properties and infuse their potent efficiency in YSL Beauty products.

HOW IT ALL STARTED

“For the landscape designers Eric Ossart and Arnaud Maurières: “it is a resolutely contemporary interpretation of the ancient Garden of Eden, which seeks to portray Yves Saint Laurent’s affection for the Mediterranean culture.”

The gardens are divided into three distinct areas. The first is composed of 64 square plots for growing plants that will be incorporated into YSL Beauty products. In addition to the famous saffron pistils used in Or Rouge range, walnut leaf is used in the Top Secrets range, pomegranate in Rouge Volupté Shine while the Touche Éclat range is formulated with marigold. A second space – called the “botanical area” – is an experimental area for testing new ingredients. Finally, a “legacy” space pays tribute to Yves Saint Laurent and his passion for flowers. It includes a dozen plants and flowers such as wheat, hibiscus, and lilies.

THE STEPS TAKEN THROUGH OURIKA COMMUNITY GARDENS

2013

First saffron harvest for the launch of Or Rouge

2015

Creation of the women's village cooperative in the Ourika region

2016

First harvests of Marigold for Touche Eclat & walnut leaves for Top Secrets range

2017

32 women work for the cooperative

2018

Over 5.5 million products sold contain an ingredient from the Ourika Community Gardens

2019

First harvest of pomegranate for Rouge Volupté Shine

2020

Launch of Pure Shots range with iris, mallow, barbary fig and moonlight cactus