From "Worth It" Hot Spots to Hidden Gems—Julia Sloan's Fashion-Designer Guide to CDMX

Welcome to Locals Only. In this series, we're tapping notable locals in the style space to share a tight list of their top recommendations of what to see, eat, and shop in their home city. They'll share off-the-radar recs that you won't find in your average guidebook, resulting in digestible mini guides revealing where the city's most fashionable residents are actually hanging out.

I first heard of Julia Sloan's eponymous label Sloan when interior designer and content creator Elizabeth Bennett tagged one of the designer's minimalistic maxi dresses on her Instagram. I immediately knew I needed to know more, and thankfully, an invite landed in my inbox to see the brand's New York Fashion Week debut the very next week. There, I got to meet Sloan and see the forthcoming collection in person, and although the serene tailoring and sophisticated foundational pieces speak for themselves, the mission behind the brand is equally as moving.

Launching in the middle of the pandemic, Sloan built an at-home production network of female artisans in Mexico that would become the foundation for her small-batch collections and entire brand ethos. As she's entrenched in the creative communities of New York, Paris, and Mexico City, Sloan's surroundings have naturally seeped into her design sensibilities. The airy, relaxed shirting and versatile cotton pieces Sloan has on offer are merely a reflection of the designer's lifestyle both globally and at home in Mexico City, where she's been based for the past eight years.

When she's not designing for Sloan or visiting with the garment workers in her network, she relishes in the pleasures of everyday life in CDMX—popping in and out of boutiques in Roma Norte, wandering through Parque Chapultepec, museum-hopping, and delighting in an afternoon aperitivo at her local spot. Read on to see and discover Mexico City through her eyes.

Where are you originally from, and how long have you lived in Mexico City?

I was born in New Hampshire. My family moved to an island in the British Virgin Islands when I was 5, so we went back and forth between those two places for a while, and then I moved to NYC on my 18th birthday. I've been living part-time in Mexico since 2015. I was between Mexico and NYC for eight years, and now, I live between Mexico City and Paris.

Why was it important for you to center Mexican artisans and female seamstresses in your production process when developing your brand, Sloan?

What we make and how we spend our money holds so much power. Every dollar we spend, what we choose to produce, and what we purchase have the power to change lives. This struck me hard during COVID when a lot of women in our extended production community were out of work and stuck at home with their children. I started driving materials and equipment to their homes and doing small production runs that way.

We've been growing ever since, and that remains core to our business. I realized if we came together, we could all help each other in this harmonious and sustainable way. I also love working with women. There is such a sense of support and community—not to mention the incredible skills and talent that I've been lucky enough to be exposed to. It just felt right on many levels.

Obviously, Mexico City has exploded in recent years as an international travel destination. How have you noticed this impact in your local community, and what are some of the ways you'd advise visitors to be mindful when they make a trip here?

Obviously, the first thing that comes to mind is the price. I would say things have easily doubled in terms of cost over the past six years. Of course, this comes with a wider economic opportunity and a greater platform for entrepreneurs to grow, but it also means so many people have been pushed out. It's complex and nuanced. In the areas where most tourists go (Roma/Condesa/Juárez), you hear English now in a way you never used to. Local businesses are definitely catering toward that clientele.

If you come to Mexico, try not to remark on how "cheap" it is, and be mindful that it's very expensive for people that don't earn dollars or euros. Try and speak some Spanish, acclimate and integrate with the culture, learn and absorb the beauty and history around you. Be aware and observe instead of coming in and expecting everything to be catered to exactly how you want it at home. Try and support small businesses and local designers anytime you can. Engage with them, hear their stories, post, share. It all matters.

If you had to create the perfect afternoon for someone visiting the city with a limited amount of time, which area would you send them to, and what would their afternoon entail?

Oh, this is so hard! When I'm gone for a while and come back, I like to hit all the classic favorite spots. So I would say my ideal day would be [to] start with a coffee at Chiquitito in Condesa, walk toward Parque México, grab a rol de guayaba at Lardo on the way, head toward Amsterdam, and do a loop or two around the Hipódromo. If it's the weekend, meander through Roma through Plaza Río de Janeiro toward the Pushkin flea market. Stop at Olivia Foundation and Casa Bosques bookstore on the way. After the flea market, head to lunch at Ultramarinos Demar or Masala y Maiz. Hit the shops around Juárez—don't miss the incense at Xinú! Grab an afternoon coffee or aperitivo at El Minutito. At this point, you may need a nap. I would do Salón Palomilla or the upstairs bar at Rosetta for drinks, dinner at Hugo or Martínez, and late-night dancing at Club San Luis. Dream day!

What spot are you secretly gatekeeping?

My favorite bead store in Centro. They sell the most gorgeous vintage African beads and pendants. It's incredible and so random. We've used a lot of their pieces for Sloan shoots.

Which fashion staples are key to pack for a trip to the city?

Comfortable boots that can go day to night, an easy, comfortable day dress for bopping around all day, and an oversize leather jacket for the evening. (The temps drop a lot at night.)

What to Pack

There are boutique hotels, and then there's La Valise, a charming eight-suite B&B located in a 1920s townhouse in Roma where each room is distinct in its décor and vibe. "The property has that romantic vibe CDMX delivers so well," Sloan effuses.

"The touristy thing that's actually worth it? Casa Pedregal and the restaurant attached—Tetetlán, one of my favorite meals in CDMX. The Luis Barragán designed space itself is so inspiring, sitting on volcanic rock, and the food at Tetetlán is a beautiful mix of modern and traditional Mexican. Book the tour in advance and then have a long lunch afterward."

Although food and art are the banner attractions in Mexico City, the vintage and secondhand scene is a sleeper hit. One spot Sloan says has the most incredible curation is Aazár Vintage, and it's not hard to see why. The spacious studio isn't jam-packed but instead is thoughtfully curated with '90s Dior pumps and vintage Gucci Jackie bags.

Being at Salón Palomilla is like stepping into a time machine that takes you back to Mexico City's golden era. Here, you're seated underneath an open ceiling that frames the most incredible sunsets. Come for the atmosphere, but stay for the great cocktails.

"El Minutito is the chicest little café in Juárez that feels like it was designed by Wes Anderson. My order there is a flat white and one of their little grilled sandwiches. They also have great Negronis. Post up at the bar or grab a seat outside in the renovated vintage truck. It's my go-to stop on a Sunday after a long walk or workout."

Parque Chapultepec is one of the biggest parks in the city, so it's impossible to see it all in a day. Sloan says the move is to hit Museo Tamayo while you're wandering around.

In a city flooded with Michelin-level dining options, the competition for the best overall meal in the city is fierce. Sloan can hardly pinpoint just one (who can blame her?) and instead names her top three contenders: Masala y Maiz, Hugo, and Martínez. "You cannot go wrong with any of those," she insists. According to her, you can't miss the gnocchi and radicchio salad at Hugo. "They also have the best wines in my opinion," she adds. At Masala y Maiz—the Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant that's the subject of Netflix's latest season of Chef's Table—"the shrimp is just insane, and the steak frites and green goddess salad live rent-free in [her] mind."

Housed inside a 1930s art deco house, Void is less of a traditional boutique and more of an entire shopping experience. The five-room boutique offers the most unique finds you won't come across anywhere else, including a range of men's and women's vintage clothes.

Much has been said about Contramar, but despite its outsized hype, Sloan insists that there's still nothing that quite compares to a meal here. After all, "the tuna tostadas and carajillos at Contramar are famous for a reason," she says.

Specialty boutiques abound in the city, and Sloan's go-to spots include Esperanza for ceramics, Xinú for scents, Crudo Caan for silver jewelry, and Chava Studio for shirting.

"Café Parral is the most gorgeous little hidden gem. It's on the rooftop of Void vintage in Condesa and almost feels like you've been transported to a café in Milan. Perfect for an afternoon aperitivo or coffee, the curved wooden walls and light-pink accents are beautiful."

The Mexico City dining scene that gets talked about most is one of impossible-to-get reservations and experimental fine dining, but where you just might find the most authentic Mexican dishes, argues Sloan, isn't at any of them. Instead, she says to head to Expendio de Maíz, a cash-only sidewalk operation in Roma Norte with just a few seats. "When you sit down at Expendio, they will feed you until you are full, so go hungry," she warns.

"The upstairs bar at Rosetta, Salón Rosetta, is a favorite. Oddly, a lot of people don't know about this bar, but it's absolutely stunning, like a little jewel box. Even when Rosetta is packed, you can usually walk straight past the line, go upstairs, and there's room. My little secret."

Fun fact: Mexico City is home to over 120 museums, the most out of any city in North America. Museo Anahuacalli by Diego Rivera is a favorite for Sloan, though, with its architecture and extensive collection of pre-Hispanic pieces. "It's breathtaking," she says, adding all of the Barragán houses to her short list as well.

"Omusubi House is the best for onigiri and has become my favorite easy lunch spot and juice stall in Condesa near Parque México. I get a green juice there every morning."

"My favorite salsa club is Club San Luis. It's cheesy in the best way. People come here to dance—it's so fun!"