Babel Fair

Profile

Erica Kiang’s sleek Nolita boutique houses a well-curated international supply of contemporary women's clothing, accessories, and gifts from around the globe. From the Bolivian leather bags to French perfume and Korean denim, everything in the store sports a paper luggage tag stamped with its country of origin. The selection is appropriately diverse�spanning Brazil, Denmark, Australia, Italy, Ghana, Japan, and beyond�and Kiang employs trend-casters in Asia, Europe, and South America to report back on buzzed-about designers. The shop is the only place in the U.S. to find Australian womenswear label Maurie and Eve, Alessa's printed dresses from Brazil, and oversize bags from Shanghai streetwear brand Eblis Hungi, in addition to several others. A large table in the center of the all-white space holds an array of international knickknacks, including inexpensive Hong Kong mirrors made to look like chocolate bars, woven bib necklaces from Mexico, and slick electronic Tokyo Flash watches. — Molly Finkelstein