Wednesday, January 7, 2009

wanderlust

Another highly creative designer has recently made a big move from the bright lights of Paris, London and New York and made the dusty old town of Siem Reap her new home. Now our lives will never be the same again...


Her name is Elizabeth Kiester - former creative director of LeSportSac and Abercrombie & Fitch where she has elevated the brands through her youthful designs and innovative collaborations with artists and designers such as Stella McCartney and Toki Doki's Simone Legno. She has also been a stylist for brands like BCBG Max Azria, Cynthia Rowley, GAP, Banana Republic, and was also fashion director for glossies like YM, Marie Claire, Seventeen, Mademoiselle and JANE.

With an impressive portfolio like that, moving to a third world country to spread fashion would probably the last thing on anyone's sane mind.


But she did, and in a span of weeks, she has transformed Siem Reap into an exciting new destination for alternative fashion through her bright new store by the alley at the old market area- wanderlust. A fitting name for a fashion nomad.


I did a photo shoot for her for an article for my friend Don and for use in an international inflight magazine.


Modeled by Sheree, her clothes and accessories are bold, fun and awash with color. She also has a sombre and edgy line of avant garde pieces.


Being interviewed by Don, Elizabeth told us that she originally went to Cambodia for a holiday and to do volunteer work for an NGO, but ended up falling in love with the place. So she packed up all her stuff in New York and changed our lives for the better.


Cool, vibrant and always fun, her designs and her shop are a big source of inspiration for us!


Her shop also has a cool lounge on the far end littered with fluffy graphic pillows.


Her bedroom on the second floor is a play of black and white and a burst of luscious red here and there. A true homage to New York loft living.




Winding down after the shoot... we had fun!

Elizabeth and Don are cooking up a fashion show soon by the alley... so this is just the start of something big!

26 comments:

chezza said...

Will I be hearing Cambodia Fashion Week soon? :) If only I can grab her clothes I would in an instant, laveeeet! :)

the spool artist said...

who knows! anna wintour might quit vogue and move here too! hehehe

Nash said...

love it :)

cheers

Unknown said...

Eliz! As your fellow New Yorker, I have to say the store looks fabulous from our point of view as well - can't even find your combo of vibrant color and graphic prints here in NYC. Congratulations - it is so beautiful and sure to become a destination spot. I can't wait for you to include some fab menswear too! LMK

the spool artist said...

@Nash: thanks!

@Daniel: Hey Daniel, you should come over to Cambodia to see how great her new stuff are! Cheers!

Felix said...

i'm jealous :(

Megan said...

Wow! Siem Reap is such a glamour hotspot! Elizabeth's shop looks great, and I also really like the colors and patterns of her clothes- from what I can see. Just another reason to come and visit!

Borneo Falcon said...

Nice clothes here

RedLan said...

That sounds great and Elizabeth is great! Basi makadto da ang mga fashionista fr Pinas to Cambodia para mag shopping. Tagpila ang ticket pakadto da? hehehe

the spool artist said...

@jake: maybe you should move from SF to Siem Reap too! :-)

@megan: yup, you'll definitely love her stuff... and you are definitely more thna welcome to visit us!

@borneo falcon: thanks!

@redlan: haahahaha, you bet makaladto di sila! there are a lot of options on the fare but genenrally you can spend between $500-800 for a return trip. if you take the bus from vietnam, then it's way cheaper - maybe only $250. kadto na di!

Anonymous said...

so very cool and inspiring!!!

Anonymous said...

An inspirationt to us all... You never cease to amaze me Eliz my love...Wanna hire some store help?? Pay me in clothing!

the spool artist said...

very inspiring indeed ted!

Alice in Wonderland said...

To The Spool Artist:
As an ex-NYC fashionista now calling the prairies of Nebraska my home (okay, more like the cute cobblestone streets of the Old Market district in Omaha, NE is more accurate!!!), I am so excited to learn about both your blog and Elizabeth's exciting new (ad)venture! What a beautiful store and so colorful and great. Please send her my best regards...and I would love for you to check out my own little place that I opened a little over a year ago...it is my piece of heaven away from the bright lights and big cities I used to call home. My store is called Trocadéro and my blog: postcardsfromomaha.blogspot.com

Thanks for this post and for your enthusiasm!

Nash said...

rawrrrrr haha :P

the spool artist said...

@Andrea S: hahaha. cool! will work for clothes!

@Alice in Wonderland: just read your blog and I must say you did a great job with your shop! Kudos on the features in elle... of course they know that Trocadéro is the next big thing! I'd love to put you on my blogroll if you don't mind!

@Nash: :-)

Alice in Wonderland said...

Thanks for your comment both here and on my blog! Would love to be added to your blogroll. I will also add you to mine...I was thinking I need to add all my favorite blogs onto my site (you have inspired me to do so!!!).

Looking forward to a trip one day to Siem Reap! Can't wait.

rainboy said...

i like that bedroom design ..lovely pillows.:)

hey mate how have u been??my exams finished yesterday..so i am back!!

the spool artist said...

@alice: your blog was a great discovery... i'm so glad you commented here! you definitely should visit us in siem reap soon!

@007: hey rainboy, glad to know you're back! hope your exams turned out ok... cheers!

escape said...

what a great opportunity to be part of such group. continue to make us proud spool.

congratulations!

the spool artist said...

thanks dong! it is such a great opportunity meeting these amazing people here!

Anonymous said...

r u the one that she was hugging in the last pic? cool man! Her clothes in the pics are nice! She is really impressive!

the spool artist said...

more reasons why you should visit Cambodia, Eunice! You'll definitely love meeting her!

the spool artist said...

Oh sorry Eunice... yup, that was me on the last pic!

Rafe Totengco said...

OMG...please give Elizabeth a big hug and a huge kiss. I miss her! I'm so glad that she's doing something on her own finally. She has an amazing eye and such a kind and generous soul. Love her. I wish her the best.

BTW, I want to link your blog to mine and will you "follow my blog" and "link" it to yours as well? That would be great.

the spool artist said...

hi rafe! we sure are enjoying elizabeth's company and we are truly glad she's here cambodia.

oh yes, would love to exchange links.. i sure will do that!