Sujin Lee

Seoul

Samcheon-dong is a very old classic art area. There have many art galleries and it’s also near by Gyeongbokgung Palace where you can experience old art culture.

I love to visit Gyeongbokgung Palace when I want to feel calm.

This is a very nice spot to see local Korean art exhibitions. If you want to feel some young art, you have to go Hongdae. This area is very famous in young art culture because of Hongik-university which is one of the famous art universities in Korea.

I usually visit here for buying art suppliers, especially Homi art supply store. You can see good quality art supplies here.

Sungsu-dong is getting popular not just for art, you can see the fashion and design culture. Samuel Smalls is really good to see vintage furniture and home accessories.

If you like vintage clothes you have to visit Million Archive! So many beautiful vintage clothes are there, you can enjoy to see.

Sujin Lee's Guide to Seoul’s Art Scene

Tsellot Melesse

Berlin

Store X offers a unique blend of fashion, art and culture in one space. It mirrors Berlin's artistic and fashion-forward identity by providing a platform where creatives from all over the world meet. Their curated selections are one of a kind. I'd recommend exploring their record collection; grab a coffee right there and vibe. Most of the time a DJ there is spinning records. This might be the only time where it’s OK to walk up to the DJ and ask to play a record.

YaMe NumNums mirrors Berlin's love for international cuisine, offering a slice of Japan in the heart of the city, reflecting its multicultural and diverse culinary landscape. It stands out for its authentic homemade udon. I mean udon by itself is already insane, but homemade udon? Come on! Also love the owner – real Berliner, female, BIPOC! I'd suggest trying their signature udon noodles. My favourite is miso, sends you right to heaven.

The magic of YaMe NumNums lies in its ability to transport diners to Japan through flavours, offering a sense of tradition and authenticity in every bite. It serves as a culinary bridge, connecting the local community to the essence of Japanese food culture, contributing to Berlin's culinary diversity.

The magic of Silo lies in its ability to bring a slice of Australian brunch culture to Berlin, fostering a lively and welcoming atmosphere. Its vibrant atmosphere and delicious, unique brunch options are exceptional. Their varied menu and quality coffee make it a go-to spot for a lively morning experience. It’s more than a hangover spot! But also incredibly bomb when hungover. I'd suggest trying their unique twist on classic brunch items like the avocado toast or their top-notch coffee that comes from a local roastery.

It’s also located in one of Berlin’s loveliest neighbourhoods, so grab brunch on Sunday there and continue the day at the flea market nearby or head over to Berghain like a true Berliner on Sunday morning.

Effy offers a trendy, artsy approach to nail care, providing a unique and creative
experience. Her attention to detail and trendy nail designs are commendable. She’s also real good on short nails – my personal favourite.

Effy mirrors Berlin's creative and artistic side by providing a space for self-expression through nail art and trendy designs, reflecting the city's avant-garde and innovative nature. The uniqueness of Effy's lies in her caring nature. It really is on- on-one time and pure relaxation – she does not only take care of your nails but also of your mind. You’ll leave relaxed!

Independent Businesses in Berlin Selected by Tsellot Melesse

Sydney

BOCK:ARIE, is a unisex accessories and clothing brand founded in 2019 by designer Naomi Bockarie. Derived from the notion of bringing art into everyday life, the brands first collection features unique non-animal leather bags, that can be worn in numerous ways in the one design. The design philosophy is to allow the wearer to reinterpret the design into their own and to create their own personal look that is not entirely dictated by the designer and as a result BOCKARIE designs are intended to be ever evolving. Their next collection will feature clothing.

Being Mad About Curls, we specialize in all types of curls – Wavy, Curly and Afro. Based in Sydney Australia. With celebrity clients like Zadie Smith, FKA Twigs, Amanda’s Stenberg and Yemi Alade, we provide our curly haired beauties numerous and well-educated options for styling and wearing your unique look confidently.
Whether your curls are in their natural form, chemically treated or manipulated, we offer a judgement free zone so you can enjoy your hair’s versatility the way you like. 
Our role as a team is to simplify your curl journey, complimented by our Rumbie & Co curly hair products, our curly hair services and education. We also are creating a curl community that will empower and support you, leaving you time to embrace and love your curls.

Jarin Street began by recognising the misuse of Aboriginal art and the industry's failure to protect the artists and Aboriginal designs, as well as a failure to highlight the artists themselves.
We support up and coming Indigenous artists to get their designs out there and seen in day to day life.
We aim to provide ongoing ethical and sustainable support to the artists who contribute their work on our yoga mats and soon to come - active wear and fashion garments.

Sauti Systems is a multifaceted brand, focused on providing an atmospheric event of diverse and enjoyable musical content. We aim to bring positivity through all creative avenues, producing an all round inclusive experience.

A hip-hop dance experience designed to make you feel good about yourself. Usually held in a no mirrors, dim lights, judgement free space. Currently running livestream classes with dance courses also available so you can pause, rewind, and groove in your own time.

This homey Redfern cafe offers classic brunch food alongside pastries injected with Indigenous ingredients (lemon-myrtle cheesecake, hello!). Community groups can use the back room to hold meetings, and run pottery, poetry, and painting nights.

After spending its infancy as a pop-up, the popular Nigerian joint has recently found a permanent home in Newtown. It is the currently the only restaurant solely dedicated to Nigerian cuisine. All the usual suspects feature on the menu – jollof rice, puff puffs, fried plantains – with the most recent addition to the menu being suya (grilled spiced beef served with onions, tomatoes and capsicum).

Located in the heart of Sydney’s western suburbs, Gursha Ethiopian is a no-fuss, affordable and authentic Ethiopian food experience. There’s a large variety of vegan options alongside the more well-known Ethiopian dishes – doro wat and kitfo.

Bangarra is a critically acclaimed Indigenous performing arts company. Their dance technique incorporates 40,000 years of culture with contemporary movement, creating vibrant performances. While their scheduled tour is on hold due to current circumstances, they have made a number of performances available to stream for free online.

Eden Dessalegn provides traditional hair braiding with a modern twist. Self-taught, she started off charging $5 dollar a head in high school, graduated to market stalls, and now has her own studio based in south-west Sydney.

Tegan Murdock creates bespoke jewellery and keepsakes using a weaving technique taught to her by her mother. Customers can also learn to weave with her starter kits (which comes with videos and written instructions) or by attending one of her workshops. She is currently running these workshops online.

Black-Owned Businesses in Sydney

New York City 

Cafe con Libros (coffee with books) is an intersectional Feminist community bookstore and coffee shop. Through their choice of books, programming and great coffee, they endeavour to create a vibrant community space where everyone; specifically female-identified folx, feel centered, affirmed and celebrated.

LICHEN NYC is location in East Williamsburg, Brooklyn. It’s a design shop that’s helping to democratize design and proselytize more under-the-radar participants. Founded by Jared Blake and Ed Be the two have curated an exceptional archive of accessible vintage and contemporary furniture.

Brooklyn Blooms was planted in 2017 in the neighbourhood of Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn with a mission to serve it’s neighbourhood and the surrounding communities with uniquely curated blooms while maintaining sustainable practices.

Harlem's 1st 100 percent African American owned craft beer bar. Their mission is to invest in their local community, to offer great beers "made by us and for us" and expand access and enjoy good times together, in their own way.

Brooklyn Clay Industries is a ceramics studio that holds pottery classes and workshops. The owner Reuben King, a native of Dominica, grew up with pottery-making as a time-honored tradition that he wishes to share and inspire creativity.

Byas & Leon is a heavy hitting local spot with distinct taste. They specialize in sustainable fashion & craftsmanship, while also serving as an Afro Caribbean cultural hub.

Founded by friends Shelby Macklin and Banna Nega in 2015, Glazed NYC is a community-based lifestyle brand focused on providing high quality, classic accessories that bridge the gap between function and glamour.

Designed in Brooklyn and handcrafted sustainably with artisans spanning Nairobi to NY, these shoes give anyone who wears them an extra spring in their step.

A little more mainstream but they're all about Black excellence.

Owned and run by Telsha Anderson, this beautiful store is completely designed to cater to the women-identifying community in NYC. It also has fabulous clothes.

Brooklyn's Best fried chicken! They are doing delivery or you can stroll down and pick up.

Bed Vyne is an independent brewery, cocktail bar and liquor store in Bed-Stuy, BV feels more like a family cookout than your standard bar.

A social and wellness club designed to celebrate people of colour, online and in real life. It's one of the first coworking and social spaces curated by young people of color for other young people of color.



Make Manifest is a retail and community space in the heart Bed-stuy Brooklyn. Designed to insure growth of local & independent businesses. The artistic platform strives for economic equity and an environmental consciousness.

A well stocked wine shop determined to give Brooklyn quality wine at a quality price.

Joloff Restaurant has become a local go to for Senegalese flavours made in Brooklyn.

Cafe Rue Dix explores West African and French heritage through its food, drinks and decor.

Haitian-American café and cocktail bar, CAFE ERZULIE, partnered with an existing flower shop so that both local businesses could flourish.

Ode to Babel is a small bar and lounge in Prospect Heights that has a become a true neighbourhood space.

Black-Owned Businesses in New York 

New Delhi

A heritage park where Earth Collective hosts a Sunday Farmer’s Market. It is a great place to get organic home produce, early morning walks and delicious brunch thereafter.

A time traveling experience that goes back to the Mughal Empire’s architectural grandeur of 1887 AD. It is located at the centre of the capital itself. It’s a must see as it leads to one of my favourite spots that personifies systematic chaos - Chandni Chowk.

What used to be an old facility for storing grain is now at the heart of where art, cafes, editorial publishing houses and fashion meet. With places like, Space 10, Cafe Dori and Common Room, it’s a must-see spot.

A place for any textile lover. I seek great pride in the craftsmanship of India and spend heaps of time trying to learn new skills when they host open workshops. For a humble break in the middle, one can always walk to CAFE LOTA for a quick chai break.

An event space that’s hosted many homegrown and international acts over the years.

Pet-friendly cafe that has its own special menu as well so that your pet is busy enjoying the meal instead of making you feel guilty about yours. P.S. Best Avocado toasts!

A traveling and invite based property hosting intimate gigs in interesting locations - from homes, terraces to open boutiques. As an artist playing a session is as rewarding as being a part of one as the audience.

A war memorial sandstone arch that pays respect to the war veterans also has heaps of stalls for balloons, street chat and toys. Every kid of New Delhi has taken a night-drive to India Gate to enjoy an ice-cream with their families. A tradition that still goes on.

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