Exclusive: Thy Mitchell Loves She Can 'Inspire Someone to Take That Trip They've Been Dreaming of' With Her Brand Foreign Fare

Thy Mitchell's idea for starting her brand Foreign Fare, "an apparel brand inspired in every way by travel," came to her when she was globetrotting, naturally.

"Together with my husband Matt, we started Traveler’s Table and Traveler’s Cart, restaurants that curate cuisines from around the world and offer global street food. Exploring the world through food was one of our favorite ways to experience cultures, and we loved bringing that experience to our hometown of Houston. As our restaurants found success, we wanted to explore other ways to help others see the world," the businesswoman exclusively tells Morning Honey.

While trekking around to different countries, Mitchell realized she could up her fashion game if she created something worthwhile.

"As I began traveling more for business and still for pleasure, I started seeing gaps in the way that I was packing. For example, if I had an early morning flight, I wanted to be able to land and go straight to a meeting, so I needed an outfit that was comfortable but polished. Foreign Fare was born out of necessity as I’ve had one too many travel disasters where my checked bag didn’t make it for a few days and I had to make do with the clothes on my back!" she shares.

"What we saw missing from the market was clothing that was functional but also fashionable and multi-purpose. The ability to have a dress that can be worn sightseeing during the day, then worn with heels for a night on the town, all while having pockets for valuables — it is an ideal item for any trip! Overall, we want Foreign Fare to be a fashionable travel staple in your closet," she adds. "I absolutely love that we have found a way to make seeing the world with more confidence and ease a little bit easier. Traveling can be very enriching and empowering, but it can also be quite stressful with planning and logistics. Hopefully one doesn’t have to think about their packing list as much with Foreign Fare."

Foreign Fare offers a few trendy pieces that will up anyone's fashion game.

"Our Jetsetter jacket is both one of my favorites and a bestseller. The jacket is a modernized take on a blazer with a zip-on, zip-off hood, front pocket and interior hidden pockets. It is so lightweight and perfect for traveling and a great jacket to take with you on a trip – easy to transition from the plane to the work conference or an afternoon at a museum. Our wrap dress is another favorite! It has an elegant design while being wrinkle-resistant and extremely soft, so the perfect dress to take along on your travels," she shares.

For Mitchell, it's been amazing to combine some of her passions into one.

"I love being able to think about travel, and how I can potentially inspire someone to take that trip they have been dreaming of! My favorite part of the job is hearing about a suitcase filled with a jacket, dress, or jumpsuit from Foreign Fare and all the places that piece went. In that same conversation, I usually hear interesting stories about trips, get travel recommendations and get to know our customers more," she notes.

Mitchell always "knew" she wanted to work in fashion one day, "even if it was just a hobby."

"Professionally, my background is in retail operations and HR in hospitality/retail. Creating my product line stemmed from wanting a brand that catered to busy, on-the-go women while not sacrificing style. I want to help women who understand and value being able to save time. Foreign Fare was born from a love of travel but it is also ideal for an everyday effortless chic look," she says, adding that she loves to have "control of my own destiny" now that she runs her own company.

"It can evoke a mix of emotions and experiences. Building something from scratch, especially if it aligns with your passions, is deeply fulfilling. Obviously, the most stressful thing is that there is always the risk of failure and knowing that many employees and their families may be relying on your businesses for their livelihood (we have over 150 employees at the restaurants). Not showing the stress (because at the end of the day, no one cares and/or may understand) and staying upbeat can also be challenging on certain days. Lastly, I enjoy entrepreneurship because it challenges you to learn new skills, adapt to changing circumstances and grow as a leader. No day is boring, and I wouldn’t have it any other way," she continues.

Of course, Mitchell knew there would be some challenges along the way, as "starting a fashion brand is no easy feat as the market is oversaturated with brands and it takes a notable amount of funding (and grit) to get started."

Still, she's happy to have stuck with it.

"For me, it is particularly challenging because I don’t have a traditional design background and am learning about the industry and the processes as I go. A colleague I work with said most people would not even try if they really knew how hard and complex it was. However, I have been able to take experiences and lessons from other industries that have been beneficial, and plus, it is always helpful to have a fresh perspective on things!" she says.

Mitchell is also looking forward to building the brand even more.

"If a girl can dream, I hope to be one of the top lifestyle brands for travel! Foreign Fare would be available in a number of boutique retail stores as well as key world airports and hotels locations. By then, I hope that we will have a more robust line of styles and potentially have a men’s collection as well," she states. "We have a ton of momentum with Foreign Fare, and I am excited to continue to watch it grow. In the near future, I would like to host more travel-orientated collaborations and events to get the brand in front of more people who have a passion for traveling. For example, one of my favorite events was doing a pop-up at the local Away Travel store in Houston. I worked with the store manager to host a packing class and was able to highlight Foreign Fare styles in a setting that was beneficial for both sides."

She adds, "I’m excited to continue adding products to our line and expanding our offering so that travelers have more options from our line. As a small brand, my goal is to stay more niche and continue offering styles that are unique, contemporary and fashion forward."

Mitchell, who feels fulfilled with running Foreign Fare, wants others to "pursue their own entrepreneurial dreams with passion and purpose."

"I hope to inspire others to keep exploring, traveling, and getting out of their comfort zone. I truly feel that traveling builds empathy by exposing you to new cultures, perspectives, and ways of life. When you step into unfamiliar environments, you encounter people with different traditions, struggles, and joys. For example, at Traveler’s Table, we believe that food can serve as a gateway for learning about other cultures, for fostering understanding, and for breaking down the barriers that divide us as citizens of the world. After all, no matter how different we are – everyone loves to eat!" she says.

Additionally, Mitchell wants Foreign Fare's clothing to make people feel free when traveling. "Dressing people for the journey is what we do and every detail was crafted with travel in mind (fabrics, versatility, smart pockets, etc.). Inspiring and encouraging travel is empowering because it allows us to help open doors for others to explore the world, expand their perspectives and grow personally. And, let’s face it, everyone needs a break with how busy we all are nowadays!" she concludes.