THE GOOD BUY - A GLOBAL JOURNEY TO BUILDING A WARDROBE WITH MEANING AND MEMORIES

 

THOMAS & MICHOU

As a barware, lighting and home accessories design company, at Thomas Fuchs Creative we specialize in handmade goods.

Every week, we take you behind the scenes to explore the people, places, and things that inspire us. This week, inspired by Harper's Bazaar podcast The Good Buy hosted by @harpersbazaarus Leah Chernicoff and Lynette Nylander, I thought—why should girls have all the fun?

This week, I take you on virtual trips to Africa, India, Istanbul, and Morocco—just three of the many exotic destinations where I’ve absorbed culture and fashion, made them my own, and brought them home.

I was just mentioning to Thomas how lucky we are to travel the world for work, enlisting artisans to create and develop our collections of home accessories while keeping rare handmade craftsmanship alive. And in between factory visits, I explore markets in search of both renowned and under-the-radar designers, always picking up an outfit from each country I visit.

Michou in Kitenge Suit

Africa

Thomas and I waited three years to finally take our honeymoon, holding out for the trip of a lifetime rather than rushing into just any excuse to travel. The perfect opportunity came when Thomas’ close friends—Hollywood producers dedicated to wildlife conservation in Africa—invited us on a month-long safari through Tanzania and Kenya, culminating in a stay in Lamu.

While in Kenya, sitting in our car, I spotted a bolt of fabric in a shop window that immediately caught my eye. Ignoring the sweltering 100-degree heat—and much to Thomas’ chagrin—I insisted the driver circle back. I dashed into the store and bought enough of the famed Kitenge fabric to have a suit made.

A year later, during a work trip to Hong Kong, where my sister lives, I took my grandfather’s Dior tuxedo to a tailor to have it replicated using the fabric I had purchased. Now, I wear it in multiple ways—sometimes as a full suit, other times as a tuxedo, or even just the funky pants for a dinner party—getting three looks out of one outfit.

Michou in Rohit Bal Peacock Sherwani

India

In November 2024, we received the news that designer Rohit Bal had passed away. Rohit was a close friend, introduced to us by dear friends, and he was the one I chose to design all my brothers' outfits 15 years ago for his Big Fat Indian Wedding on the Mexican Riviera.

Bal was an iconic Indian fashion designer, celebrated for his work in both men's and women's fashion. He began his career in 1986, founding Orchid Oversea Pvt. Ltd with his brother, and debuted his independent collection in 1990.

He was best known for incorporating lotus and peacock motifs into his designs, frequently working with rich fabrics like velvet and brocade. His creations exuded Indian grandeur and royalty, earning him an international clientele that included Cindy Crawford, Pamela Anderson, and Uma Thurman, along with numerous Indian celebrities.

When The Sindhian Magazine profiled me, I chose to wear Rohit's Turquoise Peacock Sherwani, which I styled with ripped acid-wash jeans—proving just how versatile his designs could be.

Michou at The Grand Bazaar in Istanbul

Istanbul

Having taken a family trip to Istanbul for the second time—this time to celebrate my brother-in-law’s 60th birthday—seeing the city 25 years later felt like experiencing it through a completely new lens.

While walking through the Grand Bazaar, I stumbled upon a handbag shop that also appeared to have fabric that could be transformed into jackets. Just the day before, I had toured the Topkapi Museum and was deeply inspired by the Sultan's jackets on display. I knew I had to try to get one made.

Michou in Custom Ottoman Empire Style Kaftan

The kaftans themselves are works of art. These robe-like garments, with their long wide sleeves and open fronts, were worn over other clothes and made from cloth woven in Bursa before being sent to Istanbul for sewing. I was fascinated to learn that upon a sultan’s passing, his clothes were labeled and carefully stored in the treasury. Each spring, they were taken out and aired to prevent damage from dampness—one of the reasons they remain in such remarkable condition today.

The evolution of cloth patterns was equally intriguing. The small, simple patterns of the 15th century gradually became more intricate in the 16th century, reaching their peak in the 17th century. The motifs used during this period—tulips, carnations, hyacinths, paradise apples, encircled branches, pomegranates, deer, and stags—add a unique and personal touch to each garment.

Michou in Marrakshi Life

Morocco

March 2025: Suddenly, the couple behind Morocco’s ubiquitous brand Marrakshi Life is blowing up across Europe and the USA. Back in 2023, when we were in Morocco working on Thomas' new tableware collection at a small factory 40 minutes outside the city center, I already had an inkling that something special was happening. I had heard of a factory specializing in garments that honored traditional Moroccan styles while giving them a modern twist. As it turned out, the clothing factory was right next door to ours!

In the vibrant city of Marrakech, fashion photographer Randall Bachner and his life partner, Nicholas Minucciani—who comes from the music and media world—dreamt up Marrakshi Life, inspired by the city’s raw energy and bustling atmosphere. While wandering the Medina one day, they met Mohamed, who would become their first weaver. Since then, their artisan family has grown to 70 people, all working within a 7,000-square-foot workshop.

Michou in Marrakshi Life at Art Basel 2023 Moroccan Dinner

With the expertise of local craftspeople, Bachner and Minucciani create their own fabrics, traditionally woven on wooden flatbed looms powered by hand. While their vision embraces the darker, more mysterious side of Marrakech, their collections—paradoxically—always exude an infectious optimism.

I knew I had to pick up at least one outfit. Later, I serendipitously wore it to the VIP Art Basel Dinner in 2023, hosted by renowned Moroccan-Miami-based artist Aidan Marak (Nadia Karam), which honored Moroccan artists.

The moral of The Good Buy? Support originality. Support artists around the world. Incorporate their vision into your own lifestyle, and in the process, collect a lifetime of stories to tell.

Have a great weekend,

MICHOU