Foreign Fare Spring 2025 Collection - Founder & Designer Thy Mitchell
Written by Carli Halper Otero
Traveling now is as much about the journey as it is the destination. As we gear up for a new season of adventures, we caught up with Thy Mitchell, founder of Foreign Fare – the luxury travel apparel brand that’s quickly become a go-to for discerning travelers who refuse to compromise on style or comfort. Mitchell shares her take on this season’s top fashion and travel trends, along with an inside look at the must-haves of the brand’s Spring 2025 collection.
ELEVATED (EM): Congratulations on your new collection! What was the inspiration behind this latest release?
THY MITCHELL (TM): Thank you! After the incredible excitement and feedback from our brand launch in 2023, I was eager to expand our offerings and create more silhouettes for the modern traveler. For this collection, I keenly focused on chic versatility – prioritizing pieces that could be worn multiple different ways to suit different occasions. One piece I’m especially proud of is the Zip Away Vest. It perfectly embodies that vision – you can wear it cropped, long, or even as a two-piece skirt set. It’s the kind of piece I knew our customers would love to wear.
EM: Can you share a bit about the new styles introduced—what makes them stand out for the modern traveler? Which piece do you personally reach for the most?
TM: Alongside our Zip Away Vest, we also introduced our Soft Landings Collection – an ultra-plush line designed to mix and match effortlessly into versatile sets. We also launched our PaperChic Pants, which are impeccably tailored for a polished look, yet extremely soft and comfortable for all day wear. They are truly a favorite! Personally, I find myself reaching for pieces from the Soft Landings Collection. I am always mixing and matching the shirt, pants, jacket and dress to create fresh looks that transition from day to night and also great for everyday.
EM: What destinations are inspiring you right now when it comes to both travel and style?
TM: Foreign Fare embodies versatility while staying fashionable, a philosophy deeply embraced in Japan and countries throughout Europe. During my last few trips to Japan, I’ve observed how capsule clothing thrives in Tokyo’s fashion scene because it seamlessly blends minimalism, practicality, and high-end style. Japanese consumers favor well-crafted, durable pieces over fleeting fast fashion trends. Other places that seem to embrace capsule clothing are major cities in Europe like Paris, Milan, and Copenhagen. European fashion often leans towards classic, timeless styles that don’t go out of fashion quickly. Capsule wardrobes cater to this by offering versatile pieces that can be mixed and matched, making them suitable for different occasions and seasons. Overall, I love how capsule wardrobes reflect a shift toward simplicity and thoughtful consumption, and I always get a dose of inspiration when visiting these destinations!
EM: Are there any spring fashion trends that particularly excite you this season?
TM: I love all of the workwear and business-inspired looks for 2025– everything from tailored blazers and vests to the ongoing trouser trend. I also personally never leave my house without the Jetsetter jacket, a blazer-inspired jacket! I started Foreign Fare after numerous travel mishaps had me longing for outfits that could seamlessly take me from a plane ride to a business meeting to dinner. That versatility is at the heart of many of my designs, so seeing tailored, office-inspired pieces dominating the runways—both for work and beyond—feels especially inspiring. To me, tailored blazers, sleek trousers, and dresses with structured elements all exude confidence.
EM: What trip are you most looking forward to in 2025?
TM: I will be heading to Paris soon with my daughter for her spring break– a destination that never gets old for me! Paris has so many iconic sights that my daughter will get to experience for the first time, as she is only 7 years old. This summer, my husband and I will be celebrating our 10-year anniversary, but we haven’t quite settled on a destination yet. The exciting (and sometimes challenging) part is deciding on the destination, and hopefully, we’ll land on something we both love soon! We make it a point to explore new destinations as part of our “culinary research” for our restaurant brands.
