Siem Reap has become the capital of chic, with quirky boutiques, stylish hotels, and sumptuous spas. Antonia Windsor gets the low down on Cambodia’s spiritual epicentre from talented Malagasy haute couturier Eric Raisina.
Raisina, 48, who has created textiles for Christian Lacroix and Yves Saint Laurent and has his own store in Paris selling rainbow-coloured “silk fur” scarves and skirts, was first attracted to Siem Reap because of its reputation as the centre of silk.
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“I knew from my Parisian studies that Cambodia had silk and of course I was keen to discover the Angkor temples. I bought a ticket in 1996 and spent more than a week between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap but I immediately fell in love with the energy of Siem Reap,” he explains. “I bought many pieces of silk and learnt more about silk production in Cambodia. I then made several trips between 1998 and 2000 when I visited silk farms and was able to weave my own fabric.”
In 2013 Raisina created his Couture House on Charles de Gaulle Avenue, just a short distance from the temples at Angkor. It is a powerhouse of creativity where visitors can watch the weavers in the workshop as well as try on clothes. “I wanted to create the feel of a boutique in Paris or New York,” says Raisina. “People like to come and see the handmade process from the cloth to the clothes. We also offer exclusive events for VIP clients who would like to experience private shows, private cocktails, or dinner at the Couture House.”
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“For me, Siem Reap has kept the same energy but is definitely busier than before,” says the designer. “I still enjoying the calm of the city, even though pub street is becoming a real nightmare. We do have many new places to enjoy in terms of restaurants, hotels, cafes, and spas.”
As the sun goes down, Raisina heads to one of the many restaurants that jostle for space in central Siem Reap. “I love FLOW restaurant, which is run by a young Cambodian chef; it’s cosy and well designed with some fantastic homemade charcuterie. And then there is Cuisine Wat Damnak, which is one of the best restaurants in Southeast Asia, certainly the best table in Cambodia, with French chef Joannes Riviere. I also like Mie Café, which has a decadent chocolate fondant dessert. On the other side of the river is Chanrey Tree; I love the location and the decoration, but especially the Khmer cuisine there.”
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For partying into the early hours, Raisina chooses Miss Wong, a cocktail bar that takes its inspiration from 1920s Shanghai: “This is a great place to have a champagne party and stay until the sun comes up.” He also likes Mezze for special occasions, especially when they host beat boutique DJ nights.
And as for hotels, Raisina has a few favourites. “Viroth’s is a fabulous boutique hotel and is a wonderful place to take friends for drinks and dinner or to stay for the weekend and enjoy the spa. I also like Templation for its garden and pool and Sala Lodges host a fantastic jazz night on a Monday. I love the style of the real Khmer wooden houses, which are chicly decorated.
“There is so much to do in this city, it is a very vibrant place to be. I hope there will always be a place for me here.”
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