I fulfilled one of the musts in my Things-to-Do-Before-I-Die checklist a few weeks ago: Visit Cambodia and see the majestic Angkor Wat and its surrounding temples. During my trip, I learned a lot about the wonderful region of Siem Reap, the sad history of Cambodia as a nation, and was privy to the warmth and astounding resilience of the Cambodian people. And naturally, I saw a lot of places (aside from the temples) I would love to go back to, and happily enough, one of them is owned by Filipino artists Don Protasio and Loven Ramos. It’s a lifestyle store called Poetry.
The charming façade of the store.
I first heard the name Don Protasio during Philippine Fashion Week Holiday 2010 last May, where the Filipino designer (formerly based in Iloilo) showcased an all-red street wear collection. So when Martin Dishman, owner of The One Hotel (my home in Siem Reap), mentioned Don’s name and store after hearing about my fashion-related job and abiding love for poetry and words, I was intrigued. I promptly made the super short walk from my hotel to the store, which both enjoy a lovely location in the Old Market Area of Siem Reap.
Basically, Poetry is a store that sells quirky clothes, bags, accessories, and various other knickknacks. Don wasn’t there when I visited, but I caught up with him when I was back in Manila and asked him to tell me all about his venture.
“I came here in Siem Reap for a fashion show and was fascinated by the place. In short, I was inspired! We [Don and Loven] decided if ever I move here we will have a shop that will house our crazy designs,” said Don. “In 2007 I moved and by mid 2008 we had Poetry.”
“Poetry is a collab store with my best friend Loven Ramos [an avant-garde artist, graphic designer, and photographer, among other things]. We’ve been friends since college along with his wife Faith,” Don stated. “Let’s just say we connect creatively and we do crazy stuff together. So Poetry is one of those things we came up with over some coffee.”
“Loven and I basically create stuff for the store based on poetic inspirations. It doesn’t have to be literal but could be a mélange of stuff from here and there. We view Poetry as sort of playground and not unlike a magazine that we edit, tweak and change according to our whim.”
Don's clothes on the racks. He was one of Preview's Designers to Watch in 2007.
“I was based in Iloilo before and I’ve been doing fashion here and there. I’m basically an autodidact but my fascination and love for clothing construction has led me to this full-time career. I’m basically in love with the process of creating clothes and doing fashion shows. I’m a fashion carnivore and I love intellectual fashion.”
A rack of Don's designs at the back of the store. He counts Helmut Lang as his greatest fashion hero. "My obsession extends up to collecting and rummaging through piles of ukay to collect his designs. I also buy from E-bay," said Don.
I love the stairs that lead to the second floor! Each step carries a line from a lovely poem (I don't know whose).
The even quirkier second floor.
According to Don, these bags with witty slogans were inspired by Loven's birthday gift to his wife, who's obsessed with Louis Vuitton.
A selection of "scrawled-on" scarves. I got myself the pink one, which has the names of my favorite poets and authors. I thought it was made especially for me! Heehee.
Don said, "The stickers, scarves and basically everything in the shop is our reaction to being an 'anti-souvenir' souvenir shop. We don't want to sell stuff that other people sell, too. We want it to be witty and also to work in your life when you get back home. But still it will remind you of Cambodia."
Poetry's shopping bag. ♥
Poetry is located on The Alley West in the Old Market Area of Siem Reap, Cambodia.
Jae
This one’s from Rustans’ Shey who I virtually bumped into at 2am during the live chat!
I actually also enjoyed browsing through 
Why.
(Insert sheepish grin here.)
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