Words by the Teva Spring 2018 Photoshoot Crew.
“When our Creative Director mentioned Morocco for our Spring 2018 Teva photoshoot, which featured our new Terra-Float 2 Knit Universal sandals, I thought he was crazy. The thought of exploring a new part of the world sounded amazing, but with 13 people, how were we going to pull this off?
Photo by Brad Smith.
Still, always up for the challenge, we began looking for a local guide to help put our itinerary together, keep us safe, and help with the language barrier. Finding Sharon and Abdou with Morocco Immersion Tours and Adventures was a godsend. They helped us experience things only locals would know to experience and they dealt with our crazy schedule of shooting from sunrise into the late hours.” — Scarlet Radwick, Producer.
Here’s what we saw, learned, and experienced in Morocco, straight from the mouths of our crew.
MARRAKESH
Marrakesh really is Arabian Nights come to life in a city. Behind every closed door is an oasis of detailed mosaic tiles, palm trees and the backdrop of the Atlas Mountains. At night, you have snake charmers making their cobras dance to the sounds of the flutes, food stalls with fresh kebabs, and women making the most beautiful henna tattoo art.
Photo by Medina Resic.
Photo by Steve Hoskins.
Photo by Nina Moerdijk.
Photo by Steve Hoskins.
Photo by Nina Moerdijk.
“Our men’s wardrobe never showed up, so our stylist, Kira Sheppard, had to pull from the crew’s clothes instead. My luggage went missing somewhere between LA and Morocco, never to be seen again. Everyone thought I was really getting into the culture when they saw me rocking the Moroccan robe in my Instagram posts, not knowing it was actually because I didn’t have any other clothes other than what I wore on the plane over.” — Scarlet Radwick, Producer.
Photo by Raiza Lopez.
Shop the Terra-Float 2 Knit Universal.
Photo by Scarlet Radwick.
Photo by Nina Moerdijk.
“My favorite moments were sunrise in Ouarzazate, the camel ride in the evening in the Sahara, and playing street soccer with a group of local kids our first day of shooting in Marakesh. Least favorite? The stomach flu that leveled each and every one of us for at least 48 hours. We pulled through on top.” —Dylan Sido, Model.
Photo by Nina Moerdijk.
NOMAD VILLAGE
On our way through the Atlas Mountains, we stopped in a tiny, thriving village of maybe 20 buildings. Cars parked everywhere, goats strapped to roofs, children practicing sheep herding on the hills. Outside the entrance of one restaurant there was a butcher set up selling the meat they’d cook for you.
“The goat carcasses and pile of heads were shocking to us, but it was the best meal we had in Morocco!” — Nina Moerdijk, EMEA Social & Digital Assistant Marketing Manager.
Photo by Raiza Lopez.
Photo by Brad Smith.
Photo by Maly Mann.
“Standing on top of the Atlas Mountains overlooking the vast landscape was breathtaking and extremely calming, but on the other hand, stopping on the side of the road to see goats hanging out in trees was one I’ll never forget. I don’t know why, but those goats just cracked me up and it’s one of the first things I remember whenever someone mentions Morocco.” — Brad Smith, Digital Tech.
Photo by Nina Moerdijk.
Photo provided by Maly Mann.
“I had culture shock. The colors, buildings, people, and food were so different to me. I was hesitant to try anything because of how unfamiliar I was but after the first night, I fell in love with everything.” — Maly Mann, Model.
Photo by Steve Hoskins.
Photo by Scarlet Radwick.
“The teachings of a simpler life taught by its people made me appreciate with more depth my own life.” — Raiza Lopez, Model.
AIT BEN HADDOU
Next we drove to an ancient town built from nothing but clay. Our hotels’ sink bathrooms had fossils in them. After a sunrise shoot in town, we did some rug shopping. We went to a shop where women were weaving, and they taught us about the meanings of the characters on the rugs.
Photo by Raiza Lopez.
Photo by Scarlet Radwick.
“My favorite thing about Morocco was the blends of colors and patterns. There is so much richness in the paint and patterns mixed with the natural elements of the sky, dirt, sand, rocks, water. And goats.” — Steve Hoskins, Creative Director.
Photo by Steve Hoskins.
Photo by Nina Moerdijk.
DESERT DREAM
We purchased the traditional naturally dyed indigo scarves to wrap around our heads. In the desert heat, you totally understand why you need to protect yourself against the sun and desert sand storms. The scarfs are a must.
Photo by Maly Mann.
After a proper scarf-tying workshop, we were ready to get on our camels, after which we were welcomed back to hot mint tea, and a floor of mattresses and bright rugs to hang out on. We cozied up to each other and watched the stars.
Photo by Nina Moerdijk.
Photo by Nina Moerdijk.
Shop the Terra-Float 2 Knit Universal.
“My favorite moments lasted for 24 hours: riding a camel toward desert camp, the live music, sleeping under gazillions of stars, leaking butts…but all smiles everywhere.” — Medina Resic, Photo Assistant.
Photo by Nina Moerdijk.
Photo by Nina Moerdijk.
“Riding towards camp during sunset on our camels was amazing. It really felt like going back in time. You start to wonder what it would have been like hundreds of years ago.” —Nina Moerdijk, EMEA Social & Digital Assistant Marketing Manager.
Photo by Brad Smith.
“My biggest take-away from every travel experience is when I’m reminded of the undeniable fact that no matter what walk of life we come from or move towards, we are all the same and in this together.” —Brad Smith, Digital Tech.
Shop the new Terra-Float 2 Knit Universal now at Teva.com and#StrapIntoFreedom on Instagram @Teva.
