French high fashion house Christian Dior has launched its first African outlet in the Moroccan city of Marrakesh.

The inauguration of the new 70 sq.m boutique located at five-star hotel Mamounia was scheduled for Friday, the 5th day of Marrakech International Film Festival.

A fashion show presenting Dior’s spring-summer 2005 collection and a gala dinner took place after the inauguration event. British actors Sean Connery and Charlotte Rampling as well as British film director Alan Parker were among the VIPs on the guest list.

The opening of the Marrakesh boutique “is a way for Dior to get a foothold in Morocco, which will also help in the fight against counterfeiting,” said the spokesman, according to Middle East Online.

Morocco has been rapidly moving from being a fashion hotspot to a popular international shopping destination.