THE MARCHIONESS OF BATH - OUR SOCIAL EDITOR AT LARGE STEPS OUT IN STYLE IN MOROCCO

No sooner had I jetted back from the glamour of the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in New York than it was time to hop on to another plane this time my destination was Marrakech.

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I had visited the Moroccan city only once before, for Idris and Sabrina Elba's spectacular wedding in 2019.

This time, I was attending an event that I'd been invited to many times before the Fashion Trust Arabia Prize, a three-day affair with the awards taking place on the second night.

I'd never managed to go before as the date always clashed with my elder son John's birthday.

Held at the El Badi Palace, the event was part of the QatarMorocco 2024 Year of Culture and brought together celebrities and industry leaders to honour exceptional designers.

The FTA Prize is the first initiative of its kind in the Arab world. Each year, six winners are selected across six design categories, with a seventh category- the Fashion Tech award - launched this year.

After touching down, I checked into the magnificent La Mamounia hotel, which is one of Morocco's finest and celebrated its centenary last year.

ALL MADE UP

Within 30 minutes, I had been whisked into a make-up chair by the glam squad from the Code8 beauty brand. Next, I had to decide what to wear, plumping for a gleaming yellow chiffon Dolce & Gabbana gown with a voluminous skirt, halter neck and low-cut back.

My first evening was spent as a guest of Italian businessman Remo Ruffini, chief executive of luxury fashion brand Moncler, who hosted us in his palatial home.

Open fires blazed and rooms were filled with the sound of beating drums as we were served the most delicious traditional Moroccan cuisine imaginable.

I was thrilled to bump into actress Rachel Bi l son and musician Evan Ross, who always calls himself my “twin”, so I joined them for drinks and a catch-up.