'Travel + Leisure' Fashion Director Mimi Lombardo Tells Us How to Get that Global Flair
(Courtesy Travel + Leisure Global Bazaar) A scarf available at this weekend's Global Bazaar
This weekend in New York, Travel + Leisure will hold its annual three-day Global Bazaar—an open-to-the-public extravaganza of international food, decor, fashion, and adventure—all curated to resemble a bustling night market in Bangkok. On offer? Home decoration imported from Istanbul and Morocco, jewelry from all over the world (courtesy of e-commerce site L-atitude), hand embroidery from Central Asia, necklaces from Tibet, and plenty more.
We caught up with Travel + Leisure's Fashion Director Mimi Lombardo to find out how she went about curating the fashion and accessories for this year's Global Bazaar—and what inspires her on her epic trips around the world.
(Courtesy Travel + Leisure Global Bazaar) A necklace available at this weekend's Global Bazaar
StyleBistro: When you're traveling and looking for gorgeous authentic fashion + accessory souvenirs to bring home for yourself and your friends, how do you differentiate between hokey tourist-trap items and the real deal?
Mimi Lombardo: Before your trip, talk to friends who have been there and talk to the locals—even if the staff at your hotel are the only locals you know. They can be a great resource. Also, don't walk in and buy at the first shop you visit. Look around and you'll be surprised at what you will be find and how refined your eye will become.
SB: What are some of the best things you've bought on your own travels?
ML: In Tulum—which is so Bohemian—I bought a woven necklace with antique pesos which I wear with everything!
(Courtesy of Travel + Leisure Global Bazaar) Also available at this weekend's Global Bazaar
SB: When you're curating a Global Bazaar, how do you select pieces that speak to a consumer who hasn't necessarily traveled as much or seen as much as you have?
ML: Well-traveled or not, people are becoming more and more savvy about the way they shop. They want things that are authentic, that make them feel special, and that are well-crafted. A few pieces I love from the T+L Global Bazaar Shop are: the Sophia 203 Woven Love Choker (below, right) and Butterly Brooch, the Daniela Bustos Maya woven necklace with antique pesos (below, left), the Mehry Mu hot pink cross-body bag from Istanbul (below, center), and the Silvia Tcherassi double Wayuu bracelet.
(Courtesy Mimi Lombardo)
SB: What are some easy ways an average American woman—who has a 9-to-5 job, kids, family, and a house to run—can add a touch of global flair to her wardrobe this season?
ML: It's easy to use accessories to give your look some global punch. Your outfit can be relatively basic, but with something like a Batik patterned scarf, you'll look like you have just traveled the world. One trend that's almost becoming a classic is the Ikat print. You find it on everything from clothing to accessories to home items.
Mixing items from different cultures is also a strong trend—designers travel so much that their inspiration comes from all corners of the globe.
Follow Travel + Leisure Fashion Director Mimi Lombardo on Twitter @mimilombardo to see more of her Global Bazaar picks—and while you're at it, don't forget to follow @travlandleisure too!
