A Cool Brand Owner On Where To Shop, Eat & Stay In Istanbul

My most recent brand discovery is Tale Shifters. I love that the bags are all handmade in Istanbul using hemp and Turkish kilim. They are perfect totes for everyday that look effortless, chic and functional. The brand also combines traditional craftsmanship with modern, everyday designs. I like having the local, ethnic design elements mixed with modern designs. I think it’s important to be ‘socially’ aware of your culture, traditions and be able to pay it forward to the next generation in a modern way.  

I love to pick up special pieces from a store called Midnight Express that has a mix of great clothing and jewellery. The collection is highly curated, with a great selection of local and international contemporary brands. It hosts trunk shows and it’s a great store for buying gifts. 

The best fashion gift I’ve ever received is The Row Margaux bag. I’ve had my eye on it for a while and my husband spoiled me for my birthday this year. I have been using it almost every day. My bag is always full, and this is the perfect to carry everything but still look chic.

I collect jewellery from the Grand Bazaar. There are endless options – from vintage to high-end jewellery pieces. Each time you visit, there’s a new discovery to be made. I enjoy visiting with my mum as she really has amazing taste and it’s fun to spend quality time and have lunch at Pandeli.

For lingerie, Else is my go-to. When I couldn’t find something that really combined comfort with style, especially for D-cup sizes, I decided to launch my own brand. Thanks to previous experience in the industry, I was able to combine great fit and fabrics to create a collection that looked effortless but was high quality and that enhanced the natural shape of women of all sizes. Else is all about comfort and support, as well as empowerment from the inside. 

The best vintage store in Istanbul is Al A Turca House. From the outside, it looks like a townhouse but once you go inside, you never want to leave. It’s located in the old town of Istanbul called Cukurcuma – a neighbourhood full of vintage furniture stores. My favourite vintage piece I’ve ever bought is an Eames Chair. I love spending time in that chair reading and enjoying my coffee every morning.

My perfect shopping day would involve going to the  OYE’s showroom. The designer, Ayca, is one of my best friends and her atelier and home are all part of the same building. After shopping, we get to enjoy cooking and drinking in her beautiful Parisian-inspired apartment. 

The most recent fashion purchase I made was a dress from Lug Von Siga, from the new Pre-Fall collection. She’s another Turkish designer I really love. She combines oriental Turkish embroidery with modern and comfortable staples. Each collection has a story and includes custom-made embroidery – it’s a great example of a brand keeping Turkish craftsmanship and heritage alive. 

The best place for people watching is Lucca in Bebek. We used to go when they had DJs but now, with a toddler in tow, our people watching has switched to the park right across the venue. I love sitting outside and watching people pass by on the street. 

The best place for coffee in Istanbul is Doorstep – our local coffee shop in Arnavutkoy where we see the same people almost every day. It’s in a residential area on the Bosphorus so it’s a meeting point for people living there and it’s full of pets, which we love. 

The best restaurant in my city is Karakoy Lokantasi – it has the best selection of Turkish meze and the crowd is always great. It is a family-run business (since 2000) and the lunch menu is full of traditional recipes.

The coolest spot in my city is Soho House. Set within the Palazzo Corpi, which was built in 1873, the house retains many original features like the 19th century frescoes. It’s great to have a drink or dinner inside or on the terrace. I am always moved by the interiors and it’s always nice to see a diverse crowd th3ere. 

For an escape, you must visit Yazz Collective in Fethiye Gocek, where you are picked up by a boat and taken to an exclusive beach. The rooms and service are amazing – you can really disconnect and unwind while still feeling right at home. 

The best hotel in my city is the Four Seasons in Sultanahmet, which is in the oldest part of the city. The courtyard is very beautiful and it’s walking distance from some amazing monuments like Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia and the Grand Bazaar. 

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