Introduction to Mexico City

Mexico City is the capital of Mexico and the most populous city in North America. The city offers history, art, great food, shopping and historic attractions. The city is a museum with over two thousand historical buildings, not to mention the actual museums such as the National Art Museum, the Anthropology Museum and the Rufino Tamayo, to name a few.

Demographics

Mexico City has a population of 8.9 million people (2016). Mexico City also hosts many immigrants and expats from Canada, US, South America, Central America, the Caribbean, Europe and the Middle East. According to World Population Review, an estimated 700,000 Americans live in Mexico City.

Top Shopping Markets:

1. La Lagunilla Market has trinkets, antique furniture, home décor, handmade crafts, vintage clothing – all in an outdoor shopping area.
2. Ciudadela Artisan Market sells crafts from around the country.
3. San Angel Art Market sells all kinds of paintings, many sold directly by the artist.
4. Trafico Bazaar offers handmade leather bags, organic soaps, antique and new jewelry, unique fashion, sneakers, snacks, among other items.

Famous Retail Events

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week is the only fashion show in Mexico, drawing prominent designers from across the country. The fashion week is a focus for national and international fashion, as well as promoting local culture, economic development and environmental aspects of fashion.

Top Innovative Retailers

[caption id="attachment_94821" align="alignright" width="280"] Source: voidmx.com[/caption] Void Void is the spot for high-end vintage shopping. It is located in the neighborhood of La Condesa. Void houses items from all over the world, looking for rare, hard-to-find pieces. The director, Olympia de La Macorra, collected the finest luxury items by travelling the world and hand selecting each item. The store houses products from 1800-1999, showcasing designers such as Chanel, Dior, Gucci, Louis Vuitton and Saint Laurent. The collection also includes authentic vintage rock tees, denim, militaria and Americana, all curated from the 19^th and 20^th centuries. Location: Void, Calle Parral 5, Colonia Condesa, 06140 Ciudad de Mexico, CDMX.     [caption id="attachment_94822" align="alignright" width="280"] Source: lagodf.com[/caption] Lago DF Lago prides itself on promoting Latin American design. The store houses exclusive domestic and international brands, including Carla Fernandez, 1/8. Takamura, Simple by Trista, Cynthia Butenkeppler and Zli Ropa. The boutique houses only five international brands, the rest are local. Lago DF has space dedicated to handbags, accessories, jewelry and shoes. All the designs are unique and it focused on Mexican and other Latin American design. Location: Lago DF, Av. Pdte. Masaryk 310, Polanco, Polanco IV Secc, 11560 Ciudad de Mexico, CDMX. [caption id="attachment_94824" align="alignright" width="281"] Source: lametropolitana.com[/caption] Metro La Metropolitana is located near the Juarez neighborhood and the historic City Center. The space specializes in architecture, interior design, furniture and graphic design. The store acts as a workshop, office and showroom – with many of the pieces up for sale in a range of price points from $40 $200. Staff seek to personalize the experience, assisting customers individually and offering advice. The store has different collections, for example the “Union” collection consists of furniture with new pieces every month. Another example is “Lagos del Mundo,” an accessories collection (such as candles, cutting boards etc). Location: La Metropolitana, Calle Dr Erazo 172, Doctores, 06720 Ciudad de Mixico, CDMX. [caption id="attachment_94825" align="alignright" width="280"] Source: strictlywaffles.com[/caption] Lemur Lemur features rare and unique items difficult to find in Mexico, from shoes and trousers to mobile phone cases. Trademark pieces include t-shirts, sweaters with unique prints and blouses – all made from high-quality material. Lemur offers brands such as RVCA and Ben Sherman – not easily available in Mexico. Location: Lemur, Jalapa 85, C. U. Benito Juarez, 06700 Ciudad de Mexico, CDMX   [caption id="attachment_94826" align="alignright" width="280"] Source: goodbyefolk.com[/caption] Goodbye Folk Goodbye Folk is a hybrid concept: retail store meets barber shop. The shop sells menswear, womenswear, vintage shoes and old-concert t-shirts, among other items. The store is reminiscent of the 80s, with an explosion of colors and textures in the pieces showcased in the store. You will also find items such as sequined dresses, printed blouses and denim jackets, alongside vintage pieces. Leather boots and shoes are made in the back by hand. Location: Goodbye Folk, Cordoba 55, Cuauhtemoc, 06700 Ciudad de Mexico, CDMX. [caption id="attachment_94827" align="alignright" width="280"] Source: 180grados.mx[/caption] 180 Shop 180 Degrees aims to create, produce and support Mexican design. The store makes three brands: Leyenda Urbana, which explores creativity in Mexico with a collection of textiles and design pieces; 180 Degree Outwear, a collection for men, women and kids that includes a selection of prints inspired by the 80s, with urban cuts and made with high-quality fabrics; and, Ciento Ochenta Grados (“180 degrees”), a seasonal collection for women using comfortable cuts. Skateboards and bicycles hang from the walls to create a vintage aesthetic, complemented with products from local artisans, such as necklaces and bracelets. Location: 180 Shop, Colima 180, Rome Norte, 06700 Ciudad de Mexico, CDMX. [caption id="attachment_94828" align="alignright" width="280"] Source: tripadvisor.com[/caption] Roma Quince Rome Quince is in a restored mansion, offering home décor with curated local textile and accessories brands. The store aims find interesting, new and innovative brands that are unknown and seek to make them known. Brands such as Bindilou and San Miguel Allende’s Casa Acanto are featured in the store. The store also showcases clothing brands with the same aesthetic as the furniture, with a brunch spot called Carlota & Emilia. Location: Roma Quince, Medellin 67, Rome Norte, 06700 Ciudad de Mexico, CDMX.   [caption id="attachment_94829" align="alignright" width="280"] Source: casabosques.net[/caption] Casa Bosques Casa Bosques curates an abundance of books and a variety of international and national magazines. The store consists of publications in a variety of genres:  art, architecture, photography, critical theory and art, fashion and design. The shop also sells artisanal chocolates with a Mexican touch, with chile pasilla, sea salt or rosemary – all local ingredients. The interior is designed to look like the modern looking apartment of an avid reader. Location: Casa Bosques, Cordoba 25, Roma Norte, 06700 Ciudad de Mexico, CDMX. [caption id="attachment_94830" align="alignright" width="280"] Source: goop.com[/caption] Onora Onora was started by Maggie Galton and Maria Eladia Hagerman, two women who bonded over their love of Mexico and its various cultural identities. Maggie is an art historian and Maria is a Mexican designer: The two partnered for a collaborative network to create textiles and home décor, seeking to maintain traditional Mexican style combined with modern trends. Location: Onora, Lope de Vega 330, Polanco, Polanco V Secc, 11560 Ciudad de Mexico, CDMX.   [caption id="attachment_94831" align="alignright" width="280"] Source: yakampot.com[/caption] Yakampot Yakampot is an up and coming brand with locations around Mexico, and one US location in Miami. The store stocks classic and neutral womenswear. The elegant pieces are all handmade by artisans across the country. Its sister brand, Arroz Con Leche, specializes in affordable children’s clothing. Location: Yakampot, 11000, Monte Athos 355, Lomas de Chapultepec, Cuidad de Mexico, CDMX.     Must See Street: Colima Street, La Condesa Colima Street is located in the Bohemian district of La Condesa, a street lined with vintage and unique boutiques.

1. Revancha DF: A record store with a wide selection of products for music lovers.
2. Escopia: An optical store offering sunglasses and a unique variety of frames.
3. 180 Degrees: A boutique clothing store, making three different collections, all inspired my Mexican culture.
4. Lemur: Known for rare and unique items hard to find in Mexico – from apparel and shoes to phone cases.
5. Landucci Editores: A bookstore featuring a collection of Italian publications.