Eric Raisina Couture House

Siem Reap’s emergence as a somewhat unlikely destination for fashion lovers is largely due to the efforts of one individual: Madagascar-born Eric Raisina. Inspired by the Khmer artisanal silk weaving he witnessed on a trip to Cambodia back in 1996, Raisina decided to base himself in the country and hasn’t looked back since. He opened his original haute couture outlet in 2005, and his daring designs, colorful and often inspired by ancient Cambodian culture, have earned acclaim worldwide. Admirers of his work can find it for sale at two locations in Siem Reap: at his couture house on Charles de Gaulle Avenue and at the FCC Angkor hotel.

Cambodia’s most internationally acclaimed fashion designer is Siem Reap-based Eric Raisina, who, after an inspirational trip to the temples in 1996, became smitten with Cambodia and moved here in 2001 to work on a silk farm. Eric trained in Paris, worked for Yves Saint Laurent and Christian Lacroix, releases his seasonal collections at the Paris shows, and has a boutique in the French capital. His enchanting clothes are distinguished by his use of vibrant color and textures, such as his own innovations, silk ‘fur’ and ‘raffia’. Eric has a couple of boutiques in Siem Reap, however, his Couture House at Charming City is where you’re likely to find the handsome Madagascar-born talent. The atelier where Eric and his creative team work is upstairs.

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For traveling fashionistas the ultimate wearable souvenir is a silk scarf, wrap, handbag or purse from Eric Raisina, Cambodia’s most celebrated fashion designer. When Eric first came to Siem Reap, he worked on a silk farm to learn as much as he could about Cambodian silk. Over the years Eric has built a reputation for his development of new techniques for silk production and weaving, and innovations such as his ‘silk fur’ and crochet-like ‘raffia’ lace. Eric’s downy soft silk ‘fur’ is best used in his colorful handbags, elegant wraps and light-as-a-feather blankets, which Eric told me is his must-pack travel accessory. Visitors to Siem Reap have been known to visit Eric’s atelier and leave with a wedding gown, but for most of us a handbag is enough. And it’s easy to pack!