Planet Berlin: Showcasing South American culture
The Chilean Cecilia Fuentes Ibarburu sells alpaca wool scarves from Peru, Amazon forest jewelry and Ecuadorian felt hats at South Embassy in Mitte.
Bringing people together
Having organized a fashion trade fair in her Chilean homeland, Cecilia Fuentes Ibarburu later founded her own Latin American fashion label when she came to Germany. Meanwhile, South Embassy is not just retail store, but also hosts Latin American events and brings people together like an actual embassy.
Traditional wares
Among the 2000 products on offer, South Embassy is filled with ceramic utensils and decorative figurines procured from across Latin America. These arts and crafts constitute centuries-old South American traditions, and contrast with the contemporary fashion also on display.
Regionally sourced
A necklace from Colombia, liqueur from Mexico, carpets from Peru or ceramic bowls from Chile. The great variety of Latin American goods in the Berlin-Mitte concept store is a labor of love, with Cecilia Fuentes Ibarburu avidly procuring the articles from small, regional manufacturers.
Department store of the south
While the Kaufhaus des Westens (department store of the west) has been a magnet for visitors in Berlin for decades, South Embassy is emerging as the department store of the south: Clothing, accessories, jewelry, wines, art, cooking and architecture books fill the shelves. Pictured here, there's also a delicatessen.