Yasmin Sabet was born in the United States, She has a Colombian mother and an Egyptian father. “I lived in Bogotá, Colombia, until I was twelve years old and then I went to study abroad in Europe, then in the United States, then Europe again... until finally return Bogota almost nine years ago The creator of the firm Mola Sasa tells us about a project that she defines as "unexpected" and that consists of garments, accessories and even decoration elements.
“It was as a result of a conversation with a friend after having gone to the Rivas passage to buy the Kuna fabrics that we use for our bags and designs”. The brand, with its aura of exoticism and positive energy, has grown organically, presenting collaborations with personalities such as Marina Testino and conquering totem poles fashion like Margherita Missoni or Iris Apfel, who have worn their bags.
"Actually, I never imagined that it would take the flight that it has taken. It is a project with a strong aesthetic but also with an important social responsibility and respect for the environment through the use of renewable and biodegradable natural fibers ”, points out the Colombian, to whom, without a doubt, the fact of having grown up surrounded by the ethnic wealth of Colombia gave her a special sensitivity to enhance forgotten ancestral techniques.
Among its best sellers are the already mentioned Kuna bags, with iconic textiles hand-sewn by the indigenous Guna Dule. “Now I really like the 'micro' model, which is the smallest and most versatile. The bracelets also sell very well because they can be worn many at once and they are very colorful. The trivets and coasters of the artisan women of Cerinza, Boyaca, they have been a hit; they have a special handling of color that we liked a lot”, Yasmin tells us.
Yasmin Sabet, creator of Mola Sasa.
And she adds: “I like to think that our creations are for everyone; that some like them because they want to wear a different accessory, that they follow us for the aesthetics of the brand and for the work we do or that we are an inspiration and a reference for many”. Her designs are vibrant, sophisticated and daring, for modern and fun women who are not governed by trends.
Mola Sasa collaborates directly with craft communities from Colombia, mostly indigenous. What began a little over five years ago as an exclusive collaboration with the Guna Dule community, around its ancient technique of hand-sewn appliqués, has evolved into an integral work, in which six different local communities participate today. Today, Mola Sasa provides sustainable employment to no less than 120 women artisans from Colombia.
The leitmotiv? To be the pure realization that there is life beyond globalized fashion and giving the consumer that (wonderful) sense of discovery, with echoes of a trip to the world of ancestral communities, their lands, customs, cultures.
Mola Sasa collaborates with the Guna Dule community.
A WALK THROUGH 'YOUR' BOGOTÁ
The Rivas passage It is one of Yasmin's favorite spots in Bogotá (Colombia): “There I get a lot of inspiration for Mola Sasa. It is a flea market in a popular area of the city where they sell all kinds of handicrafts and trinkets that I love From there I usually walk to Plaza de Bolívar."
"The Candlemas It is another of my favorite places – Yasmin continues –, it is the neighborhood of the old town and it feels like you are walking through a colonial town in the middle of a big city. And if you look to the east you can see the high and impressive mountains and the Virgin of Monserrate . I like to lose myself in its streets and walk without direction”.
“From there, I love to walk to the Gold Museum, it's one of my must-see museums in the city. The walk is through the popular shopping area, always picturesque and full of fun popular shops and I never get tired of seeing all the precious pre-Columbian gold pieces that teach us the richness of the indigenous cultures that lived here”.
La Candelaria, Bogota, Colombia.
Another of its iconic places is Prudencia –“a restaurant very authentic and beautiful in La Candelaria, they eat delicious"– and to buy gifts, they always go to Artesanías de Colombia, which, moreover, has just opened a new store. "I never run out of ideas to give away or references to craft techniques”.
His latest discovery of her? “Café Bar Universal, I love its atmosphere and the food that mixes typical Colombian ingredients inspired by different culinary cultures. They have my favorite dessert (Lulo Marinado) and the best cocktails, and On Saturdays there is live music.
It's no surprise that Yasmin declares herself a pro traveller: “I love to improvise and I am an expert in buying plane tickets at the last minute, even if you already have the hotel and destination or almost everything organized. It is not always ideal because prices usually go up at the last minute, but I can't help it. I like to travel light: a friend taught me to pack lots of dresses, which is practical because they take up less space and pack outfits integers to minimize what I carry.”
Among her favorite destinations is Cairo: “I feel my roots there and I love that it is a city that never sleeps, its chaos and how authentic it all is. Whenever we went to visit family I loved going to the Khan El Khalili, the bazaar, with my father and my uncles. It was one of my favorite plans and I bought all kinds of things. Then I like to go to the store Shahira Mehrez, who has antique or bespoke galabeyas (typical Egyptian robes) and precious Al-Fayoum embroidery carried out by a women's cooperative.
Yasmin Sabet and her family in the Atacama desert.
“Majorca (especially Deiá and Valldemossa) I am passionate about, I spent many fun summers there when I was at university, with one of my friends from school who is from Valldemossa and I have some great memories, I would like to relive it all!”
Cartagena and Baru are, he tells us, other good options for adventurers: “Cartagena is a beautiful city, with its colonial houses and secret patios and a unique energy. In Barú there is a beach house of my family, where I spent a very happy childhood with my grandparents and cousins. It is a magical place where I really manage to disconnect. I could also go to Morocco and Italy a thousand times and not get tired”.
Finally, he advises us to explore Guatemala and Mexico: “Guatemala, for its mystical mountains and incredible lakes, and Tikal is a unique place like from another planet. Mexico because wherever you go is different, you never get tired of exploring. Particularly, I love Oaxaca and Mexico City”.
Yasmin's personal photo taken in Barú.
FROM BED TO BED AROUND THE WORLD
And what about the hotels? We ask Yasmin to stand out hers hers five favorites from the globe and this is her precious list:
Awasi Atacama Desert, Chili. “A couple of years ago we made this wonderful trip as a family and I would repeat it a million times. The hotel is beautiful and, at that time, it only had twelve very spacious and comfortable rooms (suites). The decoration is ideal and very appropriate for the place –I think I took a thousand photos– and in the restaurant you eat really delicious. The bar has the best pisco sours and we spend our evenings chatting by the bonfire, reminiscing about the walks of the day before. Each room has its own guide with a 4x4 and, upon arrival, we design the five days of stay with our guides. Each place we visited was more incredible, different and impressive than the previous one.”
Casa Oaxaca Boutique Hotel, Oaxaca, Mexico . “This has been one of my favorite trips. Oaxaca is a small colonial city and in its surroundings are the ruins of Mitla and Monte Albán and also the Tule Tree. There is much to do and see (and a lot of mezcal to drink). The hotel is small and the rooms are fresh and spacious, with high ceilings. It is very well located and has a really delicious restaurant (plus another bigger one in town).”
Hotel The Islands, Baru, Colombia. "It is one of the most beautiful hotels I have seen, due to its respect for nature. It is made up of bungalows on pilotis built among the native forest and, from the sea, they seem to get lost among the exuberant nature. Each bungalow has its own small pool and on the beach there are activities for all ages. The restaurant serves typical food from the Caribbean coast of Colombia. Being very close to Cartagena (40 minutes by boat or one hour by car) it is a perfect escape after a few hectic nights in Cartagena”.
Savanna Orinoquia Lodge, Casanare, Colombia. “No trip to Colombia is complete without a little adventure. Although I have not visited this hotel, I dream of doing so. The eastern plains are one of the most magical places that our country has and its diversity in fauna and flora makes the days full of exploration; it is, in fact, one of the places I preferred Humboldt . It has a spa and a delicious restaurant. It can be reached by plane or it is three hours by car from Yopal, the capital of the region.
Hotel Il Pellicano, in Tuscany.
The Pellicano, Porto Ercole, Italy. “My list would not be complete without this amazing hotel where I have spent many summers. The entire hotel, from its rooms to the restaurants, the spa and the boutique, have been reimagined by Marie Louise Scio, a dear childhood friend with impeccable taste. The magic of it is that, during the season, Marie Louise is always in the hotel receiving guests. Located in a Tuscan cove on Monte Argentario, no need to leave the hotel, although there are lovely recommended day trips for the most curious and restless travellers”.
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