Aïn Kassimou – Marella Agnelli’s Marrakech Garden

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I admit I am a little fascinated by past generations of beautiful socialites (I find these slightly historical characters far more salacious and interesting than the more boring celebs that fill People Magazine).   They were beautiful, worldly, rich, beautiful (did I say that already?), political, influential, literary, and incestuous as hell (amongst their elite group). And many were not only gardeners and supporters of the industry but garden writers.  C.Z. Guest and Marella Agnelli are two of the most prominent (are their others?).

A serene Marrakech Garden scene with a pond filled with lily pads and surrounded by lush greenery. A small, elegant pavilion with a tiled roof is situated in the center, and tall palm trees rise in the background under a clear sky, reminiscent of Marella Agnelli's Garden Gallery.
The poolside pavilion at Marella Agnelli’s Marrakech retreat – Aïn Kassimou. It was inspired by a similar pavilion at Yves Saint Laurent’s iconic Majorelle gardens (which are nearby). I’d love to know what is involved in keeping the water lilies in the Agnelli’s pond in such a regimented order. Image by Eric Boman for @voguemagazine, 2006
A tranquil Marrakech garden scene with a small fountain in the foreground. The two-story building is draped in green vines and red flowers, reminiscent of a living Garden Gallery. Tall, narrow trees frame the windows with dark wooden shutters, while lush green hedges complete the serene tableau.

This is Marella’s Garden in Marrakech, and it was designed by Madison Cox (who I am also ohh-so-curious about after this recent WSJ article).

Who is Marella Agnelli?

Marella is the author of The Agnelli Gardens at Villar Perosa: Two Centuries of a Family Retreat, Giardino segreto (Italian Edition), les jardins agnelli, Gardens of Ninfa and Gardens of The Italian Villas (among others).   She is also a princess, an art collector, a regular in the pages of Vogue and the widow of the “King of Italy” and Fiat magnate Gianni Agnelli. She was a muse of Richard Avedon Andy Warhol and Truman Capote referred to her as Swan #1 (of the international collection of Swans) and the Last Swan (because she was the youngest and the only international of the famed Capote clutch of socialites.)

Her famous neck also was very swanlike.

A black-and-white portrait reminiscent of Marella Agnelli, capturing a person in side profile with a short, curly hairstyle. They wear a dark top against a gradient background from light to dark gray, akin to the shifting hues of a Marrakech garden. The lighting enhances their facial features elegantly.
A sunlit garden patio features wicker chairs around a small table, surrounded by lush potted plants with vibrant flowers reminiscent of a Marrakech Garden. A bamboo pergola overhead provides shade, creating a peaceful and inviting atmosphere, like strolling through a serene garden gallery.


I love the perfectly placed clusters of lily pads — that I am sure are highly cultivated to be so evenly spaced.  I’d like to see a picture of the gardener maintaining this feature….What do you love about this garden?

A serene pond with white lilies and lush green leaves sits in front of a pavilion adorned with curtains, reminiscent of a Marrakech Garden. Surrounded by trees and foliage, the water reflects the greenery, creating a tranquil, natural scene that could grace any Garden Gallery.
marella agnelli garden by madison cox in marrakech
I love the perfectly placed clusters of lily pads — that I am sure are highly cultivated to be so evenly spaced.  I’d like to see a picture of the gardener maintaining this feature….What do you love about this garden?
A charming Marrakech Garden features lush greenery and vibrant red flowers climbing a rustic wooden balcony. The scene includes a table and chairs surrounded by potted plants, leading to an arched doorway with more plants visible inside, reminiscent of a serene garden gallery.
As a garden designer the ultra discreet Madison Cox Gardens has an exclusive client list. His meticulously curated landscapes and horticultural displays offer a harmonious blend of beauty, tranquility, and artistry.

In addition to Madison Cox, Agnelli also employed Russell Page to help her create the garden around he home in Turin Italy.

A lush garden pathway leads to a tall, beige building with arched windows and a tower, reminiscent of Marrakech Garden, surrounded by green foliage and palm trees under clear skies.
Garden and design dreams Ain Kassimou, Marella Agnelli’s Marrakech home. Photo: Eric Boman
A lush Marrakech garden featuring tall palm trees and various plants surrounds a serene pool. The scene is bathed in warm sunlight, offering a tranquil and inviting atmosphere reminiscent of Marella Agnelli's signature style.
The white panted tree trunks around the pool in the Ain Kassimou garden in Marrakech.
A lush Marrakech Garden features a tall palm tree, various shrubs, and a vine-covered building with intricate wooden architecture reminiscent of Marella Agnelli's style. A round patio table with wicker chairs is set in the foreground under a bright sky.
A rustic wooden door set into a stone wall, surrounded by vibrant red and yellow bougainvillea flowers reminiscent of a Marrakech Garden. The ground is covered in gravel, with additional orange and yellow flowers in the foreground, adding a burst of color to this serene Garden Gallery.
Villa Marella Agnelli is a luxurious boutique hotel located in Marrakech, Morocco. This stunning property offers elegantly designed suites, a serene spa, and a beautiful outdoor pool. Guests can enjoy exquisite Mediterranean cuisine at the on-site restaurant, or relax in the lush gardens overlooking the Atlas Mountains. I need to visit this enchanting escape in Marrakech.
A woman in a long, elegant gown stands on outdoor stone steps, reminiscent of Marella Agnelli's style, looking back towards the camera. The black-and-white scene captures her amidst lush greenery and an old stone structure, evoking the tranquility of a Marrakech Garden.
A serene outdoor scene with five white lounge chairs facing a clear, reflective pool. Behind them, lush greenery reminiscent of a Marrakech Garden envelops the space, with palm trees set against a bright, sunny sky.
The pool is surrounded by citrus trees with painted white trunks.
A collage showcases a woman in a pink gown by a stone wall, elegant interiors with intricate ceilings and statues, Marella Agnelli's lush Marrakech Garden pavilion, and a black-and-white photo of two people in conversation. Text reads "La Bella Vita" and "Design Icon.
Vogue Living spread about Marella Agnelli’s homes.

Ain Kassimou in Marrakech- home of 5000 roses


Then Marella retired to the riad Ain Kassimou in Marrakech. In a silk blouse and sneakers, she strolled in the immense garden where she had planted 5,000 rose bushes. Indeed, Marella Agnelli is a woman with an eye for detail and, above all, a garden enthusiast. Not only did she design the majority of her gardens, but she also published a line of elegant outdoor furniture. Moreover, she liked to place this wicker furniture inside the house, to show it off to its fullest. Marella wrote two books on gardens, for which she took the photographs: The Garden of Ninfa (1999) and The Agnelli Gardens at Villar Perosa (1998).
“With gardens, it’s different. Gardens breathe and live, just like people. With a garden, you’re never really done. Just like you’re never really done with life.”

Marella Agnelli – in The Last Swan published by Rizzoli in October 2014.

This is a post that I am adding to as I find more images and learn amore of Agnelli’s projects and writings. Check back for more.

images wall street journal, love is speed, Eric Boman for Vogue.

More Moroccan gardens and garden inspiration:



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