One of the best indie retailers for women’s fashion is named after a sound. 

“It’s a reaction to something that you really love. It was something that I just said all the time and that really fit with the vibe of the shop,” says Lisa Bühler, the founder of the eponymous Lisa Says Gah!, which has a brick-and-mortar shop in San Francisco and a thriving online store, Instagram presence, and fashion line of its own. 

One of the best things about Lisa Says Gah!, now five years running, is that it brings independent female designers from all over the world into one accessible fashion haven—a haven that focuses on sustainability through ethical manufacturing practices and an anti-fast fashion ethos.  

“I wanted the shop to feel more like a place to discover new designers in an environment that’s easy to engage with, something less studio driven and more inspiration driven—it’s also just a fun way to shop.” 

Bühler travels the world for various Fashion Weeks and inspiration for her shop—though she admits she may be slowing down a bit now that she’s due to have a baby in just four weeks (she does, however, have a lot of opinions on the art of the baby moon).

Below, Bühler shares the travel and packing tips that make her say, “Gah!” 

The Art of the Baby Moon 

I just booked my baby moon trip and my husband and I are going to Venice, Italy. It will hopefully be really magical and just a beautiful setting. I really want to do a photo shoot there, but I’m trying not to work! I think timing for baby moons is number one. You need to definitely stay clear of the first three months and probably the last three months—the middle is typically when most women are feeling their best. 

My goal is to eat a lot in Italy, especially with the no drinking. You’re probably going to want a relaxing trip and something maybe more food focused. We’re also not going to travel anywhere else. It was important for us not to move around too much and just kind of like settle into one location. 

What to Pack for Maximum Gah!

I think midi dresses are great. They’re nice enough that you can just wear sneakers during the day or heels for the evening. I like things that you can double down with. We also have some ribbed leggings that look chic, that you could wear with a blouse and heels and it still feels really dressy, but, you know, also gives room for the waist to expand. Those are my go-to: midi dresses and stretchy, roomy pants, and a blazer, always. I like to throw a blazer over any outfit to make it a little more dressed up. 

Gah! Takes Prep

I’m not a very stressed traveler because I have everything planned out, from my outfits to all my devices and chargers. I have a go-to travel kit, so if I had to leave tomorrow I have a kind of “go bag” with everything I need in it. For entertainment, I usually bring my iPad, which has books and podcasts and everything right there just to keep it light. At the airport I wear sweatpants with a top and a blazer over it just to look halfway decent.  

I usually take the day off before I travel so that I can do all the things I need to do: I usually get my nails done or sometimes I want to get my hair done right before a trip. I pack so that I can make multiple outfits out of one piece, because I always travel with a carry on. I don’t check bags ever, even if it’s a three week trip. I try everything on and style it. I feel like four years ago I would just throw in a bunch of stuff and then not use any of it. Now I really want to make sure I use everything that I’m packing. I always check the weather and then find pieces that I know I’ll wear and want to wear.

A Hair Hack

I like Ouai for beauty products, but honestly, I’m the girl who goes to Sephora and just buys everything on the checkout line. It’s a scam and it works every time. I don’t use sheet masks at home, but when I travel I love them. Other than that, I like to travel with a hair clip instead of a hair band so that you can throw your hair up and it doesn’t get a kink.

Going Gah-Gah Abroad 

I discover new designers while I’m traveling all the time. I recently went to Copenhagen Fashion Week in August and when I was out for dinner, our waitress had these shell earrings on. I complimented her on them and she said that she had made them! So I connected with her and then we ended up buying her jewelry—she had never sold to a retailer before.

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