Former Vice President at Morgan Stanley’s fixed income division in New York and Hong Kong, Alisa Ng, developed the idea for L-ATITUDE during a trip to Asia in 2009. The e-commerce site gathers a very complete curation of Ethnic-Chic items selected from artisans and up and coming designers around the world uniting the coveted fashion and accessories onto a one-world stage and brands them by location. The e-commerce site invites you to shop your favorite travel destinations without having to pack a suitcase. Style.com/Arabia speaks with Founder, Alisa Ng, and Buyer, Ashley Wick, to learn more about their tips for negotiating at the souks and their favorite ethnic purchases.
Introduce us to L-ATITUDE.
L-ATITUDE, headquartered in New York City, is a curated marketplace offering distinct fashion and home products for travel enthusiasts. We showcase clothing, jewelry and accessories sourced from 11 destinations and over 150 designers, artisans, concept stores, and hotels. Our Wanderlust blog informs women who do travel—and inspires those who don’t.
What does “ethnic chic” mean to you?
For us, this term refers to the meeting of old and new. It is a way of dressing using authentic (and often traditional) products, endemic to a specific destination where craftsmanship is celebrated—but in a modern way. Women who embody “ethnic chic” are curious, confident, global, and have a unique, eclectic sense of style.
What are some of your souk shopping tips?
Our advice would be to set aside enough time so you can survey the market properly before you make a purchase. Collect cards and take pictures along the way so you don’t have to waste too much time going back and forth between stalls. We also remind our buyers to try to enjoy the process. Bargaining is a game and the more patient you are, the better deal you can usually muster.
We ask vendors to show us where they make the product so we have an understanding of the production process. Beyond a careful inspection, watching the process of how a product is manufactured or handcrafted is the best way to determine whether or not it is of great quality.
What was your most memorable purchase?
Alisa: The Moroccan “wedding blanket” I bought at one of my favorite stores in the medina – Soufiane.
Ashley: A one-of-a-kind embroidered and bejeweled kaftan which I picked up at the shop Akbar Delights.
Dream destination? What would you pack?
We both are angling for a chance to sail around Croatia and would jump on any opportunity to go back to Bahia, Brazil. Trancoso is very bohemian, so all you need are: sandals, a few colorful kaftans (like the ones we carry from Tambourine) that can transition from day to night, a straw bag, bikini, and some statement jewelry from our L-ATITUDE Bazaar collection. We are both believers in reductive packing!
Besides your passport, what do each of you never leave home without?
When traveling…. Tata Harper’s Hydrating Floral Essence Spray; after a long flight it makes you feel fresh and smells divine. Luxe guides are our go-to resource when we don’t have our own local intelligence. An iPhone (sadly); it has practically become an appendage!
