jetsetters welcome

Stylish Montrose restaurateur launches pop-up for her fab and functional travelwear

As savvy Houston travelers know all to well, creating the perfect travel wardrobe is a journey in itself. Suitcases must be packed with functional, versatile pieces — and let's not forget the all-important stain resistant staples. And when it comes to packing for a travel adventure, size matters.

We've all seen the cringeworthy videos of Americans lugging their oversized luggage up flights of stairs in Europe – let's make a pact to avoid that at all costs. Travelers should keep their wardrobes minimal but try to incorporate magical pieces for those Insta-worthy photos.

Knowing that a great wardrobe is the key to unlocking a stylish trip, Houstonian Thy Mitchell set out to create a line of clothing perfect for travel and wanderlust inspo. Enter Foreign Fare, the clothing line she created earlier this year with her husband Matt. (Locals know the couple as owner/operators of global cuisine restaurant Traveler's Table.

Foreign Fare Houston The grand opening event of Foreign Fare's pop-up is on Saturday, December 2, from 1 pm to 4 pm. Guests are invited to shop, enjoy music from DJ Danielle Dupont, and nosh on light bites and drinks provided by Fiora Bottle Shop.Photo by Emily Jaschke

After years of globetrotting to research food for the couple's restaurant, Thy Mitchell was inspired to start the clothing brand. During her travels, she realized "there was no brand specifically designed to provide stylish yet functional clothing tailored for travelers," she recalls to CultureMap.

So, Mitchell set out to create an apparel line crafted with modern adventurers in mind where comfort and convenience could be paired with luxury and flair. Foreign Fare's first collection features six silhouettes that she hopes will "inspire people to explore the world in style."

Until now, her brand has been available exclusively online, but just in time for the holiday travel season, Foreign Fare is hosting its first pop-up in the buzzy Montrose Collective. Stylish shoppers can jet to the Foreign Fare grand opening event on Saturday, December 2, from 1 pm to 4 pm. Guests can get the jump on Foreign Fare's dresses, jumpsuits, jackets, and more, enjoy tunes from DJ Danielle Dupont, and nosh on light bites and drinks from Fiora's Bottle Shop.

Ahead of the her big grand opening event, we sat down with the always-on-the-go Mitchell to get her take on curating the best travel wardrobe.

CultureMap: What are your three essential tips for curating an excellent travel wardrobe?

Thy Mitchell: I focus on versatile, low-maintenance, comfortable pieces when curating a travel wardrobe. However, I refuse to sacrifice style, and that's why I love apparel that I can wear day to night, with just a switch of jewelry or an accessories update to transform a look.

I appreciate multi-functional items like stylish belt bags that can be worn as a crossbody sling and reversible jewelry that can change the look of an outfit.

CM: Why is Houston a perfect place for Foreign Fare?

TM: Even though Foreign Fare is available via e-commerce from anywhere in the U.S., I think Houston is a fantastic place for its first pop-up store and home. We are one of the most diverse cities in the country, with many Houstonians having a passion and love for travel.

One thing that we've learned from our restaurant, Traveler's Table, is how people can instantly connect with one another over sharing travel stories or discussing trip recommendations, and we hope a travel clothing brand can resonate with customers in a similar way.

CM: This one is an essential ask for the ladies: If you are only taking two pairs of shoes on a trip, what are they?

TM: First off, let me say that my default setting is always to try to travel with only a carry-on, because it allows me to be flexible and to pivot at a moment's notice – changing airlines or destinations when there are delays is almost impossible to do when the airline has your luggage.

However, this means I must be very intentional in my clothing and shoe choices, so let me break down a couple of shoe scenarios for different seasons:

Spring/summer travel: A pair of stylish Tory Burchplatform sneakers and Stuart Weitzman mule sandals with a block heel

Fall travel: Nike Air Force 1s and Prada black-brushed leather loafers

Winter travel: Superga platform sneakers and All Saints slip-on ankle boots with a block heel

CM: What is the biggest mistake people make when packing for travel?

TM: I think people often focus on single-use pieces, which can lead to overpacking and being forced to check in luggage. Often, people don't know what to pack, so they pack certain items "just in case," when they should ideally focus on multi-functional items that can be mixed and matched to create multiple outfits.

Focusing on several high-quality and stylish foundation pieces that can go together in different combinations and be accessorized to create different looks is definitely the way to go.

-----

The Foreign Fare pop-up runs through January 14, 2024 at Montrose Collective (888 Westheimer Rd. Ste 153). Hours are 11 am - 7 pm Tuesday - Saturday; noon - 5 pm Sunday. The store is closed on Mondays.

Photo courtesy of Foreign Fare

Travel brand Foreign Fare was co-founded by Thy Mitchell and her husband Matt, who also own global cuisine restaurant Traveler's Table.

travel foreign fare houston popup montrose collective houston brands where to shop in houston best travel wardrobe

HAUTE HOUSTON

High fashion label Sachin & Babi makes rare Houston appearance

Photo courtesy of Sachin & Babi

Sachin & Babi is hosting an exclusive shopping event so Houstonians can snag pieces from their Resort Collection on November 12 from 5 to 8 pm at Avant Art Gallery.

Having dressed the likes of former First Lady Michelle Obama, Mindy Kaling, and Octavia Spencer, high fashion label Sachin & Babiis known for its attention to embellishment, color, and silhouette. Ahead of the sold-out Saks Fifth Avenue Fashion Show and Luncheon, where the New York-based brand will be headlining with ready-to-wear looks from their fall collection, Sachin Ahluwalia, one-half of the high fashion duo is making a rare in-person appearance in the Bayou City.

"We are thrilled to see what Sachin & Babi will bring to our Saks Fifth Avenue Fashion Show and Luncheon," Angie Lane, Houston Ballet's chief development officer, tells CultureMap. "Saks Fifth Avenue has been an invaluable partner over the years, consistently creating an engaging and dynamic show for Nutcracker Market luncheon guests."

The brand, which has a large customer base in Texas, has its sights set on more permanent digs and retail expansion in the Lone Star State.

"In Texas, fashion is embraced in the truest sense. There's a celebratory spirit and full-of-life energy that aligns with our brand ethos," said Ahluwalia. "Our goal in everything we create is to celebrate the women who inspire us and remind us why we do what we do. I have always believed that the most important component of a woman's wardrobe is her smile, and Houston has that joyfulness so ingrained in its culture."

We sat down with Sachin Ahluwalia to discuss the brand's fall collection and what we can look forward to from the label in 2025.

CultureMap: How would you describe your fall collection?
Sachin Ahluwalia: Each season, we're inspired by the nature surrounding us, but this fall, we were particularly struck by the captivating beauty of botanical flowers. We referenced some of our favorite photographers who have captured striking macro shots of oversized blooms, and from this, we focused on the romantic allure of a 'White Rose in Moonlight.' While we often envision roses bathed in sunlight, a rose is equally enchanting beneath the moon's glow. There's a subtle message there — a reminder that beauty can thrive even in the quiet of night.

CultureMap: What colors and fabrics are you leaning towards for fall and winter?
SA: This fall, we focused on deep floral contrasts on luxurious viscose chiffon, faille, and Mikado. As fall also welcomes the return to the social calendar and gala season, we emphasized intricate beading and embroidery, creating unique, wearable pieces that make her feel her best for all the celebrations ahead.

CultureMap: When you create a collection, who are you designing for?
SA: For the past decade, Sachin & Babi has been redefining what it means to dress for life's most memorable moments. We design to a level of sophistication rather than any particular demographic. Aiming to offer more than just a garment, we want to give our customers a transformative experience that celebrates each person's unique style and story. We dress her for her most special occasions because she deserves to feel extraordinary without compromise.

CultureMap: What has been inspiring you for your 2025 collections?
SA: We are inspired by the incredible women in our country. She continues to marvel and inspire us with her confidence, elegance, and beauty. We're committed to helping her feel her most beautiful for all of her special moments, big and small.

CultureMap: Do you think you will ever move away from your east-meets-west aesthetic?
SA: It's hard to divorce ourselves from our natural inclinations and DNA. Babi and I spent our first 20 years in India, but we've spent the last 30 years building our home in New York City. We embrace our natural propensity for color, craftsmanship, and embroidery from India and marry it to the lifestyle of the women we know and adore in the US. Our goal is to converge traditional Indian techniques with a modern sensibility to create ready-to-wear that feels made for you.

Photo courtesy of Sachin & Babi

Sachin & Babi held an exclusive shopping event in Houston.

sachin & babi saks fifth avenue houston fashion show sachin and babi