Ambre

Cambodian-French fashion designer Romyda Keth is Cambodia’s most beloved home-grown fashion designer and her feminine, figure-hugging, silk cocktail dresses have become the ultimate wearable souvenir for fashionistas. A lot of the clothes travelers buy in Cambodia, from elephant pants to souvenir beer t-shirts not only won’t last, but their origin is questionable - most of the stuff is actually made in factories in Thailand. Buy a beautiful garment or accessory from a local designer such as Romyda Keth or Eric Raisina and you’re not only buying something that you can actually wear back home, but you’re buying something that will last a long time, and you know that you’re giving something back to the community. Both Keth and Raisina follow Fair Trade practices, treat and pay their staff fairly, and use quality natural materials that are made in Cambodia. If I didn’t live in Siem Reap, I know I’d rather my friends back home compliment me on my Romyda Keth cocktail dress than cringe at my elephant pants that will eventually end up in the back of the wardrobe.