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  Images: LUG VON SIGA; FOUR SEASONS; @ELSELINGERIE 

 

 

 

[Interviews](/fashion/interviews)

 /  16 August 2024  

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


As the founder of lingerie and swimwear brand Else, Ela Onur has a discerning eye for style, culture and everything in between. From her favourite Turkish brands to vintage boutiques, great restaurants to chic hotels, these are her latest recommendations in her native Istanbul…  


ByElaine Lloyd-Jones

  /  

[ Save To My Favourites ](/user/login?destination=/markdownify/node/42793)

 

  Images: LUG VON SIGA; FOUR SEASONS; @ELSELINGERIE 

 

 

 

All products on this page have been selected by our editorial team, however we may make commission on some products.

 



 

 

 

 

**If I could only shop in one place, I’d pick** **the Bebek neighbourhood in Istanbul.** It has lots of local independent brands and coffee shops – plus, it’s right by the Bosphorus. There are several shops on the main strip, as well as some designer showrooms on the crossing side streets. I like the feeling of diving into the smaller streets to find the local and indie designers.

**The coolest boutique in Istanbul has to be** [**Nackiye’s**](https://nackiye.com/) **in Akaretler.** It is one of the coolest boutiques in the city. Besides the beautiful collection, I love that the space also hosts creative events and art exhibitions.

 

 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.  
 

 



 

 

**The best destination for small, independent and lesser-known stores is** [**Maezae**](https://www.instagram.com/maezae/). It’s great for finding clothing, home décor and accessories. Each time I visit I discover local artists and take something home like a ceramic vase or a scarf. It’s in Karakoy next to the [Istanbul Modern Art Museum](https://www.istanbulmodern.org/en).

**My go-to brand for summer is** [**Posse**](https://possethelabel.com/)**.** I discovered this Australian brand last summer and my summer wardrobe is dominated by their linen pieces. I have all the button down vests and linen dresses. The price point is great and the cuts are very flattering. I love to invest in the kind of linen dresses you can easily dress up with accessories for a night out.

 

 [ ![](https://media.sheerluxe.com/NlxY3r-GSt9myjZotu2dE28FPos=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2024%2F08%2Fsl160824-else-founder-istanbul-lbb-2-new.png?itok=fZpmUALo)

 

 ](https://elselingerie.com/) 

 @ElseLingerie; @MidnightIstanbul; TaleShifters 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 [ ![](https://media.sheerluxe.com/7M-dUyFx8HMOZLzfmEvplz9ywE0=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2024%2F08%2Fsl160824-else-founder-istanbul-lbb-1-new.png?itok=I6IQQwM5)

 

 ](https://elselingerie.com/) 

 @MidnightIstanbul; Four Seasons; Else; TaleShifters 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

**My most recent brand discovery is** [**Tale Shifters**](https://www.taleshifters.com/). 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**](https://midnight.com.tr/) **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**](https://www.therow.com/en-gb/products/soft-margaux-10-black) **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.](https://www.pandeli.com.tr/)

**For lingerie,** [**Else**](https://www.instagram.com/elselingerie/) **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](https://www.instagram.com/elselingerie/) is all about comfort and support, as well as empowerment from the inside.

 

 

 

 [ ![](https://media.sheerluxe.com/kdjdvlclRKoKQljOrw7gTLLT0GQ=/1920x0/smart/filters:no_upscale()/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2024%2F08%2Fsl160824-else-founder-istanbul-lbb-3.png?itok=rrf-c7TT)

 

 ](https://elselingerie.com/) 

 @ElseLingerie 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

**The best vintage store in Istanbul is** [**Al A Turca House**](http://www.alaturcahouse.com). 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**](https://www.oyeswimwear.com/)**.** 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.

 

 Else is all about COMFORT AND SUPPORT, as well as EMPOWERMENT from the inside.  
 

 



 

 

**The most recent fashion purchase I made was** **a dress from**[ **Lug Von Siga**](https://lugvonsiga.com/), 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**](https://luccastyle.com) **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.

 

 

 

 [ ![](https://media.sheerluxe.com/O0dvVXhnTs2XHmTjKyJZw1k5zYI=/1920x0/smart/filters:no_upscale()/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2024%2F08%2Fsl160824-else-founder-istanbul-lbb-4.png?itok=wrbUSQL5)

 

 ](https://elselingerie.com/) 

 The Row; Oye Swimwear; Soho House Istanbul; Lug Von Siga; @ElseLingerie; Luca; Yazz Collective 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

**The best place for coffee in Istanbul is** [**Doorstep**](https://www.instagram.com/doorstep_istanbul/?hl=en) – 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**](https://www.karakoylokantasi.com/) – 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**](https://www.sohohouse.com/houses/soho-house-istanbul?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=googlemybusiness)**.** 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**](https://yazzcollective.com/) **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** ](https://www.fourseasons.com/istanbul/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=paidsearch&utm_campaign=saa-ist-hre-low-brd_hotel_low_pmx_omni_en_na-na&utm_content=na-na&utm_term=na&source=BRD_Hotel_LOW_PMX_OMNI_EN_NA&ppc=true&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw2dG1BhB4EiwA998cqBZvov8egnTMgVJQKuuHR2sJmjnrQrNAviD9Ds87wM9BCV49SLfcyhoCw6wQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds)**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.

*Follow* [@ELSELINGERIE](https://elselingerie.com/)

 

 

 

 

  

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