Full post/photo credits here.

One Woman Show

Teen Vogue June 2010 - Babel Fair Credit for Nookie Beach Bathing Suit

Every time we step into this minimalist, white-walled shop, we find something new to lust after. Erica Kiang opened the globally minded boutique in November 2009, and specializes in clothing, accessories and tchotchkes sourced from more than two dozen countries: jumbo weekender bags from Ghana, floral frocks from Australia, wacky watches from Japan and so forth. The prices might trip up budget shoppers ($259 art-deco heels or a $119 motorcycle coat from Japan, for example), but you’re unlikely to find this stuff anywhere else in the city.

Time Out Link

Babel Fair offers an exquisite assortment of funky shoes and eclectic clothes from around the world. Owner Erica Kiang hired freelance trend-hunters to scour every inch of the globe for the newest styles and most innovative looks, which is why Babel Fair stands out as one of the most prolific and interesting boutiques in downtown New York. The interior of the shop is whimsical and beautiful, giving the shopper an escape from the bustling streets outside. On one of the most up-and-coming blocks in NoLiTa, Babel Fair is welcome company amid the many chic shops the neighborhood has to offer.

Grand Life Link

It hasn't been the easiest year for retail—but every closure leads to an opening and when deciding on what new retail stretch or shopping neighborhood was our 2009 favorite we couldn't help but notice that streets south of Houston throughout Nolita, Bowery and the Lower East Side saw a lot of action.

Elizabeth St. in particular got two great additions in the form of Babel Fair's hard-to-find international designer fare and cheeky British sex shop Coco de Mer. We are also pretty excited about designer consignment shop PPF on Ludlow.

We know, we saw Gawker's Nolita Recession Map, but so did Bowery Boogie and they published a defensive missive stating—in detail—that there is a pretty burgeoning bright side that includes the recent neighborhood additions of Vince, Hayden-Harnett, Frock, JF Son, and others. So, put that in your pipe and smoke it, Great Recession.

Racked.com Link

8. Babel Fair
(260 Elizabeth St.; 646-360-3685)
A studiously international shop with Pima-cotton tees from Peru and San Bernardo snow boots from Italy.

NY Magazine Link

Erica Kiang brings her love of international street style to NYC by filling her Nolita boutique with inventory from around the globe, much of its exclusive to her store. Among the diverse goods, you’ll find Taiwanese red leather pumps with architectural heels ($259), French fragrances that promise “happiness” ($49) and handwoven totes from Ghana ($59).

Time Out Online Link

For a slice of the international streetwear scene, look no further than Nolita. We're not talking about tourists strolling Mott Street, we mean retail newcomer Babel Fair, a shop that brings together of-the-moment clothes, accessories and trinkets from around the world. Peep what all the kids are wearing... Right now, that includes Aussie up-and-comers Maurie and Eve ($189 for their sassy side-pocket dress), San Bernardo it-boots by way of Italy ($249), tricked-out blackberry covers from Hong Kong ($29), and cutting edge Heavy Machine heels from Taiwan (we covet the $259 pairs above).

After working for a couple big-name fashion companies, owner Erica Kiang sought to bring something new and a little funky to the retail landscape. At Babel Fair, she enlists the help of three freelance trend forecasters, who regularly report what styles are simmering on the streets of their European, Asian and South American markets. That means anything from casual Pima cotton tees from Peru to dazzling sequin tops from Brazil. Kiang selects items that jive with her store's fun, flirty vibe and tries to keep prices below $300.

So far, Babel Fair is a hit among visitors and locals alike. We watched customers scoop up those colorful, compact headphones by Swedish company Urbanears ($59) and the last few pairs of Cochni made Italian cashmere leggings ($129). The store's assortment is constantly changing, though, so best to stay ahead of the curve by coming often!

Paper Magazine Link

NOLITA—There ought to be a word that means "gimmick" but doesn't have the same negative connotations. Until someone invents one, though, we're just going to continue being wordlessly impressed with cute new boutique Babel Fair's continual ability to distinguish itself from many equally cute neighbors. While every other store in Manhattan has decided to knock 15% or 25% or 40% off merchandise for Black Friday, Babel Fair has declared the occasion Haggle Day. "Give us your best shot," says their email announcement. If you're an expert bargainer, now's your time to shine.

Racked.com Link

Like a brick and mortar version of an iPhone app that effectively shops the entire planet and plucks from its bazaars the very coolest, most original looks for women. Scoot down to Nolita to visit and touch and smell and see array of invigorating fashion, denim, handbags, accessories, and "lifestyle elements." Bolivian cowhide bags, Chinese cell phone charms, French perfume, Danish denim. Pearl River Mart better recognize.

Black Book Link

Erica Kiang turned her affinity for international street style into a career. She graduated from Barnard in 2006, interned at Vogue and Gucci, and landed a retail job at Ann Taylor. After soaking up the local sartorial scene on recent trips to Brazil and Hong Kong, she decided to launch her own boutique, which opened late last month on a recovering stretch of Nolita. Kiang hired freelance trend-hunters in Asia, Europe (one also works for Italian Vogue), and South America to report back on ubiquitous street styles and notable local designers. Unlike other internationally influenced boutiques, the selection here is fashion-focused and truly diverse: You’ll find dresses from Brazil, Denmark, and Australia, jeans from Korea, watches from Tokyo, bags from Ghana, fur vests from Bolivia, jewelry from Argentina, and cashmere from Italy. New shipments arrive on a weekly basis, both from established designers and smaller, new producers. ("Sometimes, I end up taking things home in my suitcase," Kiang says, laughing.) Click ahead to check out the selection.

New York Magazine Link

Summers in Ibiza, winters in the Swiss Alps, and lost weekends in Jamaica.

Or, in your case, exotic-subway-smell mornings followed by Talladega Nights.

Just hope you catch Erica Kiang’s travel bug at new globally minded Nolita boutique Babel Fair.

While setting up shop in a playful, clubhouse setting with canary cubbyhole shelving, Kiang’s been racking up frequent buyer miles to find clothes, accessories, and toys that haven’t previously crossed U.S. customs.

Among the souvenirs-for-the-taking: a rabbit fur vest made by a Bolivian craftsman, hammock-like cotton necklaces woven by Brazilian designer Luisa Herculano, and sculptural pumps from Korea’s Heavy Machine.

Kitsch seekers will covet the smells-like-happiness Smiley perfume or gem-encrusted cell phone sticker.

Oh, you know, it’s big in Japan.

Daily Candy Link

This fresh, recently opened boutique is stocked full of unique international fashion and accessories surrounded by bright accents and artistic touches. By using her "fashion forecasters" from around the world, owner Erica Kiang brings unknown international designers from around the world to Manhattan.

Racks of exotic patterns in eccentric cuts and styles line the walls. Everything from casual dresses, structured jackets, flowing skirts and thick sweaters can be found from South America, Asia and Europe. Babel Fair stocks labels that can't be found in stores in the US, including Australia's Marie & Eve and Washborn distressed denim from Korea. Dresses range from $100-$200 and denim for $120-$150. Some of the most interesting pieces include graphic dresses from Brazil feature patterns made from magazine collages and a structured military jacket for $269.

The fun accessories and novelties are placed throughout the boutique and add a touch of whimsy and playfulness. Clutches, notebooks, cell-phone accessories, and funky jewelry are neatly displayed on a center hand-made table. Shoes and bags are tucked in colorful shelves, including a unique cowhide large duffel bag from South America ($269), as one of many one-of-a-kind finds that will add a definite pop to any wardrobe.

Boutiqued Link

GRIN THE MOOD: The new Nolita boutique Babel Fair has dozens of things you’ll want to buy, from clothes to shoes to accessories. But none delights us more than Smiley, a fragrance packed with a cocktail of psycho-stimulant micro-nutrients that triggers happiness, all while making you smell like a spicy combo of cocoa, orange and pepper. We’ll take three. $49-59, depending on size. 260 Elizabeth Street, 646-360-3685.

By ELIZABETH BOUGEROL

NBC New York Link

A great little Nolita boutique called Babel Fair opened last week, carrying international brands that you won’t find elsewhere in NYC - ashborn Jeans out of Korea, Alessa from Brazil and Paris-based Rime Arodaky, from a former assistant designer at Sonia Rykiel.

What the store’s owner Erica Kiang does especially well is slip non-branded product that she finds around the world into the mix, like a rabbit fur vest from Bolivia or a traditional, hand-loomed top from Mexico. An ostrich leather bag from South Africa is trendy enough, but it's also exceptionally cheap, having been found locally by one of several trend scouts around the world feeding style info back to Kiang.

The cowhide bag below, made in Bolivia, goes for $249.

POSTED BY CLAIRE HAMILTON, RETAIL & EVENTS EDITOR WGSN

WGSN Link

Now Open: Babel Fair's Wonders of the World
Thursday, November 5, 2009, by Izzy Grinspan

Nolita has been hit particularly hard by the recession, but we're not too worried about new store Babel Fair, at 260 Elizabeth Street between Houston and Prince. The shop, which opened a few weeks ago, carries clothing from international designers, most of it under $200 and impossible to find anywhere else in New York. Their secret weapon, though, is a table full of inexpensive little novelties like bacon-shaped cell-phone charms from China and rope necklaces from Brazil. Bottles of Smiley, a French fragrance that claims to replicate the chemical cocktail that causes happiness, are particularly big sellers at $49 to $59 (depending on size), and the Chinese eyelash curlers were so popular that they've already sold out.

Owner Erica Kiang sources the shop through a team of trend forecasters around the world—a colleague in China, for example, recommended pebbly, shiny black duffel bags by a street artist who's huge in Shanghai. At the moment, most of the clothing is from Asia and Brazil, though she's got some French, Italian and Danish designers sprinkled into the mix. Standouts include fur vests and cowhide bags by a Bolivian company that considers both items utilities, rather than trend pieces, making them surprisingly affordable. Kiang says the reception so far has been great, though she wasn't expecting so many of Nolita's shoppers to be European tourists. "They come in asking for Ralph Lauren," she told us.

Racked Link

Q. Small designers and boutiques have been converging on NoLIta. Is this neighborhood becoming the new SoHo?

A. There are many who feel that SoHo has become nationalized — it looks like a mall. NoLIta has always had the charm of a European shopping street. We call NoLIta the training ground for the creator, the individual designers.

There’s a group we’ve done work for called Babel Fair. Babel Fair is a European concept that has a dozen designers in the store exclusive to them. Each one is a different use group: jewelry, shoes, cashmere. I think we are going to see more of that, because the consumer wants something unique, something special.

NY Times Link

In the age of Topshop and Mango and Uniqlo, it's easy to forget that plenty of international trends go underrepresented in New York. Babel Fair, opening at 260 Elizabeth Street in late October, aims to rectify that situation. The boutique will exclusively carry designers from other countries—Japan, India, Brazil—whose work isn't sold anywhere else in the city. In addition to womenswear, they'll have accessories and a gift section that sounds like it might rival Kiosk's collection of international finds (think electronics, like Japanese cameras, for example.) And while the average price point of $200 isn't cheap, it seems appropriate to the neighborhood.

Thursday, September 24, 2009, by Izzy Grinspan

Racked Link