WHAT I BOUGHT: ROMA NORTE, MEXICO CITY
It’s a very atmospheric niche perfume space—part boutique, part olfactory atelier—with sculptural bottles, warm wood interiors, and a quiet, almost museum-like pacing where you smell fragrances as if they’re artworks rather than products. I narrowed my choice (gardenia and citrus) within a few minutes of being asked my preferences. Loved the social little wood box it came in.
Francis Cancino/Anndra Neen
Havre 68, (2nd floor or Piso 1) Primer Piso, Colonia Juárez, Cuauhtémoc
I met with Phoebe Stephens thanks to Instagram and soon we were having coffee at Cafe Nin like long lost pals. I love how she wears her grandmother’s ring.
Phoebe is a dynamic and creative force: her pieces feel slightly talismanic and sculptural: bold cuffs- cage-like clutches to hold iPhones! - and architectural metalwork.
They are displayed within her new work partner’s designer Francis Cancino- fashion boutique so we jaunted down the block after cafe lattes so I could see it all in person.
Cancino often blends structured silhouettes with unexpected textiles, artisanal techniques, and a very editorial sensibility that feels closer to art practice than commercial fashion. In Mexico City, he’s also associated with the broader creative ecosystem—design studios, concept spaces, and collaborations with artists, stylists, and cultural projects.
I bought a gorgeous bracelet! I can’t wait to catch up with Phoebe next trip.
A renowned Mexican fashion designer whose work focuses on preserving indigenous textile traditions through contemporary design. Her sense of display makes it worth the trip alone even if you don't feel like shopping.
I wanted these pants but they didn’t have in my size. NEXT TIME.
Escalina
Jalapa 121, Roma Nte., Cuauhtémoc
Our friend Pels texted us (when you’re in CDMX be warned: the amount of “You MUST go!” recs from friends is overwhelming) to NOT miss his fave design store Escalina, so off we went just a few blocks from our hotel in a new fun direction.
The store is housed in a restored Porfirian-style mansion and is named after the grand staircase that greets visitors upon entry. The space features a unique mix of furniture, clothing, jewelry, and art from Latin American brands and collaborators.
Golden Goose
Based in Venice Italy and blooming here in CDMX. An experience not just a store. We were dazzled by Golden Goose’s design even before we shopped for their sneakers.
My beloved chose a pre-distressed model and then their master artist Jesus, worked over the next day with him to customize it. Jay picked ferns to "grow” along the sides to symbolize our fern garden back home, some Japanese characters and “our” number 20 from our wedding day for the back seam.
Jesus crushed it. And look at his magical message when we picked up the box! We kept that too.
Part art and design bookstore, part artisan chocolatier: they sell their own chocolate and they design its delectable packaging right there in the Savvy studio. They treat cacao like they treat books — curated, design-led, almost collectible.
The Erre Garage Co.
Colima 107, Roma Nte., Cuauhtémoc
Edited vintage clothing. More like a curated garage studio space tucked into one of Roma Norte’s most strollable design corridors. Good luck walking down it in a hurry!
Tierrade Ancestros
A Mexican artisan and design boutique focused on highly edited handmade textiles and woven pieces and natural-dye fabrics and craft objects: contemporary pieces influenced by ancestral techniques.
Left with their bag in my favorite purple that caught my eye from the display window as we were zooming past to get to the Pushkin flea market. Again you just can’t be in a rush walking down Colima street!
Parque Pushkin flea market
Av. Cuauhtémoc S/N, Doctores / Roma Norte edge, Cuauhtémoc, CDMX
We had just come from a shoot in Merida at our friends, designers’ Laura Kirar and Richard Frazier extraordinary Hacienda Subin. (see it on IG:) They implored us to not miss this small but festive flea market on Saturday that spills around the park and sidewalk edges.
We were about to give up when Jay spied a wonderful painting for less than $200. We had the dealer remove the frame to help with bargaining and luggage packing!
