Matias Belete is the Founder and Creative Director of Foreign Resource, a lifestyle brand for travelers. Despite being from Ethiopia and the United States, he grew up in Vietnam, China, India, Kenya and Senegal. Matias’s work reflects his deeply personal vision of a “borderless world.”

After graduating highschool from UNIS Hanoi, Matias pursued a degree in Economics and Finance at Northeastern University in Boston. It was in Boston in 2021 that Foreign Resource was founded, and Matias graduated from university in 2024. He now lives in Hanoi and operates the brand full-time.

Foreign Resource is defined by its philosophy as much as its designs. Its name and cracked snowflake logo pay tribute to nature, uniqueness, and the fragility and fluidity of modern life. “The snowflake symbolises both individuality and the melting and transience of borders—personal, natural and cultural,” explains Matias. Each piece blends sustainability with storytelling, resonating with a new generation of “borderless” citizens.

Rather than traditional retail, Foreign Resource has chosen a pop-up model, hosting events around the world in cities like Amsterdam, London (below), New York, and Ho Chi Minh City. “We want every country to feel included,” Matias says, aligning the brand’s ethos with its operations.

Matias’s journey is a testament to the power of bold ideas and global connections. With new collections and events on the horizon, Foreign Resource is poised to inspire a world without borders.