editorial

<p class="da-article-byline">Words by Tara F.T. Sering<br />June 15, 2026</p>
<p><em>Contemporary makers in the temple town of Siem Reap are drawing inspiration from the land and its rich craft traditions. These spots and local brands will add a dash of Cambodian flair to your home and wardrobe.</em></p>
<figure id="attachment_157372" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-157372" style="width: 1200px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-157372" src="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Siem-Reap-Shopping-Manava-Woven-Trays-and-Bags.jpeg" alt="Manava produces high-quality handwoven rattan bags and homewares." width="1200" height="800" srcset="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Siem-Reap-Shopping-Manava-Woven-Trays-and-Bags.jpeg 1200w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Siem-Reap-Shopping-Manava-Woven-Trays-and-Bags-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Siem-Reap-Shopping-Manava-Woven-Trays-and-Bags-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Siem-Reap-Shopping-Manava-Woven-Trays-and-Bags-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-157372" class="wp-caption-text">Manava produces high-quality handwoven rattan bags and homewares. (Courtesy of Manava)</figcaption></figure>
<h2><a href="https://www.manava-cambodia.com/?DestinAsian" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MANAVA</a></h2>
<p>A decade ago, Dutch designer Kalai Chan and Cambodian basketry expert Baraing Tho launched a social enterprise to empower the women of nearby Krobey Riel village while preserving a traditional weaving technique. Manava’s stable of artisans has since grown from 24 to 60, working primarily with fast-growing rattan and willow grass. Their shop in Kandal Village, a hip enclave south of Siem Reap’s old French quarter, is a showcase of material possibility, featuring stylish handbags and chunky bangles and earrings alongside a homeware line of trays and platters, bowls, and coasters that made a splash at the 2024 Maison &amp; Objet fair in Paris. Designs incorporate Khmer <em>kbach</em>—nature-inspired motifs—and traditional shapes, with museum-grade craftsmanship making each piece a head-turner.</p>
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<figure id="attachment_157375" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-157375" style="width: 1200px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-157375" src="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Siem-Reap-Shopping-Saarti-Fragrances.jpeg" alt="Fragrances at Saarti’s newly renovated boutique in Kandal Village; the Soma perfume blends lychee, rose, and agarwood." width="1200" height="800" srcset="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Siem-Reap-Shopping-Saarti-Fragrances.jpeg 1200w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Siem-Reap-Shopping-Saarti-Fragrances-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Siem-Reap-Shopping-Saarti-Fragrances-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Siem-Reap-Shopping-Saarti-Fragrances-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-157375" class="wp-caption-text"><em>Left to right:</em> Fragrances at Saarti’s renovated boutique; the Soma perfume blends lychee, rose, and agarwood. (Courtesy of Saarti)</figcaption></figure>
<h2><a href="https://saarti-cambodia.com/en-kh/?DestinAsian" target="_blank" rel="noopener">SAARTI</a></h2>
<p>Few things summon the past as powerfully as scent. For Australian perfumer Beck Scougall, founder of Saarti, creating the brand’s fragrances and spa products conjured up everything that enchanted her when she first moved to Siem Reap in 2008: its lush landscapes, sacred spaces, and the warmth and beauty of its people. While select items are available at luxury outlets in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh, Saarti’s full collection of locally handmade perfumes, candles, oils, and organic incense can only be found at its freshly renovated Kandal Village boutique, a terra-cotta-hued tribute to the grounding energies of ancient temples. Hot tip: a few spritzes of the small-batch Nagini (rose, patchouli, and frankincense) last all day.</p>
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<figure id="attachment_157371" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-157371" style="width: 1200px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-157371" src="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Siem-Reap-Shopping-Claycult-Accessories-and-Store.jpeg" alt="Claycult’s accessories are made from ceramic beads; inside the brand’s Kandal Village store." width="1200" height="800" srcset="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Siem-Reap-Shopping-Claycult-Accessories-and-Store.jpeg 1200w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Siem-Reap-Shopping-Claycult-Accessories-and-Store-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Siem-Reap-Shopping-Claycult-Accessories-and-Store-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Siem-Reap-Shopping-Claycult-Accessories-and-Store-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-157371" class="wp-caption-text">Claycult’s accessories are made from ceramic beads; inside the brand’s Kandal Village store. (Courtesy of Claycult)</figcaption></figure>
<h2><a href="https://claycult.com/?DestinAsian" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CLAYCULT</a></h2>
<p>Know someone who needs a pop of color in their daily wear? Claycult’s quirky fashion accessories might be just the thing. Founded 15 years ago by Australian ceramicist Lucienne Manzart, the company employs 22 artisans who turn ceramic beads into boho-chic earrings, bag charms, and necklaces and brace- lets in joyful color combinations. Every step of the production process is done by hand: the beads are individually shaped from local white clay, carved in intricate designs, and painted and glazed after firing for a glossy candy-like finish. Claycult has two stores in town, one in Kandal Village and another in Pub Street, plus a small outlet at Siem Reap’s international airport.</p>
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<figure id="attachment_157374" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-157374" style="width: 1200px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-157374" src="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Siem-Reap-Shopping-OKO-Gallery-Textiles-and-Monkey-Sculpture.jpeg" alt="OKO Gallery stocks a curated range of Cambodian textiles and playful lacquered monkey sculptures." width="1200" height="800" srcset="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Siem-Reap-Shopping-OKO-Gallery-Textiles-and-Monkey-Sculpture.jpeg 1200w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Siem-Reap-Shopping-OKO-Gallery-Textiles-and-Monkey-Sculpture-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Siem-Reap-Shopping-OKO-Gallery-Textiles-and-Monkey-Sculpture-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Siem-Reap-Shopping-OKO-Gallery-Textiles-and-Monkey-Sculpture-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-157374" class="wp-caption-text">OKO Gallery stocks a curated range of Cambodian textiles and playful lacquered monkey figurines. (Courtesy of OKO Gallery)</figcaption></figure>
<h2><a href="https://www.facebook.com/okogallery/?DestinAsian" target="_blank" rel="noopener">OKO GALLERY</a></h2>
<p>Across the street from Viroth’s Hotel in the Wat Bo neighborhood, OKO Gallery elevates the hotel shop to an art form. Beyond its eye-catching window display and tightly edited selection of wares sourced locally and overseas, a color- coded approach to curation makes it one of the most visually arresting boutiques in town. Cambodia-made products are the main stars here—from whimsical lacquered animal sculptures and brass figurines to handcrafted ceramics and indigo-dyed purses and placemats—but vintage Japanese <em>ikebana</em> vases and French fine art also make an appearance.</p>
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<figure id="attachment_157376" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-157376" style="width: 1200px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-157376" src="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Siem-Reap-Shopping-Satu-Concept-Store.jpeg" alt="Satu concept store gathers more than 70 ethical Cambodian brands under one roof." width="1200" height="800" srcset="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Siem-Reap-Shopping-Satu-Concept-Store.jpeg 1200w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Siem-Reap-Shopping-Satu-Concept-Store-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Siem-Reap-Shopping-Satu-Concept-Store-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Siem-Reap-Shopping-Satu-Concept-Store-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-157376" class="wp-caption-text">Satu concept store gathers more than 70 ethical Cambodian brands under one roof. (Courtesy of Satu)</figcaption></figure>
<h2><a href="https://shopsatu.com/?DestinAsian" target="_blank" rel="noopener">SATU</a></h2>
<p>When pandemic lockdowns brought tourism to a halt, Evi-Elli La Valle of culinary-focused tour company <a href="https://www.tastesiemreap.com/?DestinAsian" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Taste Siem Reap</a> pivoted to Satu, an online marketplace for some of Cambodia’s top independent ethical brands. It wasn’t long before Satu opened a brick-and-mortar store along a picturesque stretch of the Siem Reap River, right beside the Royal Residence. Like the online platform, the shop stocks products from more than 70 homegrown makers. Expect a trove of thoughtful, easy-to-transport gifts: think award-winning craft spirits, organic Kampot pepper, art prints, and cookbooks such as chef Rotanak Ros’s <em>Saoy</em>—a gorgeous volume on royal Cambodian cuisine.</p>
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<figure id="attachment_157377" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-157377" style="width: 1200px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-157377" src="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Siem-Reap-Shopping-Theams-Gallery.jpeg" alt="Elephant sculptures at the Theam’s Gallery store." width="1200" height="800" srcset="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Siem-Reap-Shopping-Theams-Gallery.jpeg 1200w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Siem-Reap-Shopping-Theams-Gallery-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Siem-Reap-Shopping-Theams-Gallery-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Siem-Reap-Shopping-Theams-Gallery-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-157377" class="wp-caption-text">Elephant sculptures at the Theam’s Gallery store. (Courtesy of Theam’s Gallery)</figcaption></figure>
<h2><a href="https://theamsgallery.com/?DestinAsian" target="_blank" rel="noopener">THEAM’S GALLERY</a></h2>
<p>Artist Theam Lim’s studio, workshop, and ever-evolving museum reflects the richness of Khmer heritage and crafts through a private collection of artifacts that chart centuries of artistic development. The antiques-filled galleries lead to a boutique brimming with items made by artisans trained on-site. From hand-carved, lacquer-finished tabletop sculptures of elephants to palm-wood cutlery and pastel-toned <em>krama</em> scarves, each piece is a meaningful souvenir of time well spent in Cambodia.</p>
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<figure id="attachment_157373" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-157373" style="width: 1800px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-157373" src="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Siem-Reap-Shopping-OKO-Gallery-Storefront.jpeg" alt="The storefront of OKO Gallery in the Wat Bo neighborhood." width="1800" height="1200" srcset="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Siem-Reap-Shopping-OKO-Gallery-Storefront.jpeg 1800w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Siem-Reap-Shopping-OKO-Gallery-Storefront-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Siem-Reap-Shopping-OKO-Gallery-Storefront-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Siem-Reap-Shopping-OKO-Gallery-Storefront-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Siem-Reap-Shopping-OKO-Gallery-Storefront-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Siem-Reap-Shopping-OKO-Gallery-Storefront-1568x1045.jpeg 1568w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1800px) 100vw, 1800px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-157373" class="wp-caption-text">The storefront of OKO Gallery in the Wat Bo neighborhood. (Courtesy of OKO Gallery)</figcaption></figure>
<p><em>This article originally appeared in the </em><a href="https://subscription.destinasian.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>June/July 2026</em></a><em> print issue of DestinAsian magazine (“Cambodia Calling”). Buy a single issue or subscribe </em><a href="https://subscription.destinasian.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>here</em></a><em>.</em></p>


The storefront of OKO Gallery in the Wat Bo neighborhood.

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