Just wanted to share with you some great Turkish fashion, since I just got back from Constantinople, also know as the current European Capital of Culture, a point that makes locals quiver with pride. While Zara and Top Shop are Emperors, both in the blog world and on the streets (and in most of Istanbul's 70+ shopping malls!) there are several independent designers and ateliers that really shine through. Istanbul is literally brimming with amazing, unique, beautiful, thoughtful, and often hand-made clothing and fashion.
On this visit, I didn't get out that much (Winter = Hibernate), but I did my research! And when I could, I did a little "field-work". I made sure to check out some new places and old favorites.
One of the most unique designers I found online is Oyku Thurston, formerly of
art.i.choke boutique in the Beyoglu neighborhood. The feel of her designs is very whimsical and ethereal - lots of light colors and soft textures, and everything has a really natural, organic tone - its the kind of clothing a woodland nymph would feel right at home in. Felt (don't let this word scare you, or evoke images of kindergarten craft-projects!) is mixed with silk, bamboo, merino, and soy fibers in a process that uses only olive oil and hot water, and every piece is hand-shaped.
Thurston, now 30, studied felt-making in Japan and got her degree from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles, so her influences are truly international. That's my kind of girl.
Check out some of the designs -
Top: art.i.choke
Views of the store:
Outfit from the Impromptu Collection, Winter 2008:
Another great designer of whimsical clothes is
Yasemin Ozeri. She is trained in architecture and fashion design, and currently runs a boutique/collective/studio/consignment store called
Laundromat, which opened last September, with Oyko Thurston. It features the collections of various other up-and-coming designers. Its a great concept - it gives designers a chance to display and sell their pieces in an already-established boutique, plus it keeps the boutique's own merchandise fresh by constantly rotating (hence the name Laundromat) not only the wares but the designers. Genius!
Here are some pics from Yasemin's collection "On Being Insane in Sane Places", which features natural, subtle colors and textures with surprising and extremely thoughtful details:
These are from last year's "In Between" collection:
And some photos of Laundromat Boutique, which fuses modern simplicity with organic and natural neutrality:
(You can see some of Thurston's Japanese influence!)
Photos from
Yasemin Ozeri
So there is some food for thought, and a little glimpse into Turkish fashion. I will post more later, when I am not jet-lagged. Some other designers and boutiques to check out are ParisTexas, Simay Bülbül, ümit ünal doors, 2. el (second hand), Lastik Pabuç, Lal, İkon, Bahar Korçan, Building, Antijen according to local fashionista and very helpful fellow blogger
Seda.
Cheers!!
And here is a bonus photo, totally unrelated, because I think it's a cool yet random shot and I am very excited about making this necklace, finally, and starting up my etsy shop -
scorpiondisco.etsy.com.
