Why Basel? Because It's Home.

When people ask me why I opened my boutique in Basel, the answer is simple. It's home.

I first came to Switzerland in 2010, working in Zug and living in Zurich. After some time in the Netherlands, I moved to Basel in 2014, and I've been here ever since.

I love this city.

I love its museums, its cultural life and its slightly alternative, laid-back atmosphere. But more than anything, I love the people who made Basel home for me. The friendships I've built here are a big part of why I feel so connected to this place.

Why a boutique here?

As much as I love Basel, I sometimes wish there were more interesting shops to explore. For a city with such a rich cultural scene, I feel there could be more variety when it comes to independent fashion and design.

And I wanted to bring some of that here.

When I opened INTENSIFY ME Boutique in December 2024, my intention was to introduce something different to Switzerland, not just Basel.

But opening the physical boutique somewhere else never really crossed my mind. This is where I live, where my friends are, where my life happens.

I was also quite particular about the location.

I didn't want to be on a traditional shopping street. I liked the idea of having a boutique somewhere a little unexpected, in a neighbourhood where people might come specifically to visit us.

At the same time, I wanted to be close to the train station, making it easy for someone coming from another Swiss city, or spending a day in Basel, to stop by.

And now, MABUYA

With MABUYA, I have even more freedom to introduce things I find interesting. Designers, clothes, objects and creative work that aren't necessarily easy to find in Switzerland.

I want people to come in and discover something they haven't seen before. Maybe something they weren't even looking for.

And I enjoy the conversations that happen around those discoveries. Sometimes people come in to shop, sometimes just to look around or have a chat. I like both.

I hope MABUYA will reach people all over Switzerland, and beyond.

But I'm very happy that its home is Basel.

Because it's mine too.

Carina Baldi
Founder, MABUYA