Standing in Timisoara's Victory Square, the autumn breeze carried whispers of revolution that changed Romania forever. Last weekend, I swapped my usual fashion district explorations for something comp...
Tokyo hit me like a sensory tsunami the moment I stepped off the plane—a captivating chaos of neon lights, impeccable street style, and convenience stores that put our American 7-Elevens to shame. As...
Let me start with a confession: I nearly canceled my trip to Punta Cana last October. As a retail buyer constantly surrounded by curated aesthetics, I worried the Dominican Republic's most famous beac...
When most travelers think of Suriname, Paramaribo typically steals the spotlight. But just 20 minutes south of the capital lies Lelydorp, the country's second-largest urban area and a cultural melting...
When my buying trip to Mexico City got extended by a weekend last fall, I found myself with three glorious days to explore one of the most dynamic metropolises in the world. CDMX (as the locals call i...
Let me be real with you – Ho Chi Minh City wasn't initially on my retail buyer circuit. But when a last-minute sourcing opportunity for Vietnamese streetwear popped up during winter break, I extended...
You know what's wild? How a tiny peninsula in southern Belize can pack more flavor into its food scene than some major metropolitan areas I've visited for work. I stumbled upon Placencia during a much...
Let me tell you something about the fashion world – we're obsessed with finding diamonds in the rough. Whether it's uncovering an emerging designer or spotting the next big trend before it hits mainst...
When most people think of Rio, their minds immediately conjure images of sun-drenched Copacabana, the towering Christ the Redeemer, or the pulsating energy of Carnival. But on my recent winter getaway...
When my buying trip to Jakarta unexpectedly freed up a week in my schedule, I made an impulsive decision that would forever change my palate: I booked a flight to East Timor. This tiny Southeast Asian...
When my buying team needed someone to scout potential textile suppliers in western India, I practically jumped through the ceiling volunteering. While Mumbai gets all the fashion spotlight, Pune—just...
Landing in Barcelona solo last spring was a total pinch me moment. After three consecutive seasons of sourcing textiles in Milan, I finally carved out a week to explore this Spanish design mecca on...
When I landed in Bern last spring for a quick sourcing trip to check out some emerging Swiss designers, I was immediately struck by how the medieval charm of Switzerland's capital city blends seamless...
When I told my retail buying colleagues I was taking my vacation time to hit up Bolivia's carnival capital solo, they thought I'd lost it. 'Jose, what about Milan Fashion Week?' they asked. But after...
When your job revolves around perfectly curated retail spaces and seasonal collection launches, sometimes you need to trade designer showrooms for dirt trails and fresh mountain air. That's exactly wh...