Sales & Shopping

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• 1945 Harper's Bazaar Next

• January 9, 2009
• Shop Talk

New Shop! Former LeSportsac Fashion Director Goes Retail in Cambodia

By Valerie Suter

When we got wind of former fashion editor/multitasker extraordinaire Elizabeth Kiester's latest project—a new shop in Siem Reap, Cambodia—we had to know more. What, where how? The former editor of Mademoiselle (RIP) Seventeen, and Jane (another RIP) went on to hold creative posts at Abercrombie & Fitch and LeSportsac, most recently. Naturally, fashion burnout threatened, and Keister (gasp!) took a much-needed holiday in Cambodia where she volunteered for a non-profit Globe Aware. Long story short: It was love at first sight. "I loved Siem Reap—not only is it beautiful, but it's also home to one of the most incredible world heritage sites, Angkor Wat. I also fell madly and in love with the Cambodian people and the journey the've been on," says Keister. So, it didn't take long for the former New Yorker to bid farewell to city life ("I ate all the bagels I could get my hands on!") and move East. She arrived with the mission to open a shop and sell goods that would help to support the local people and economy. And so Wanderlust came to be: A sunny stylish shop that's filled with local goods, handmade art, and a clothing collection designed by Keister and made by local women. The shop is housed in a modest, but sublime French Colonial building from 1929--No tourist trap here!

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