Incir Boutique: Tailor Made Outfits

Last week I had the pleasure of visiting Müge Halaç at Incir Boutique in Cihangir. We'd met at an event for entrepreneurs a few weeks earlier - Müge truly is entrepreneurial.

As much as she's creating her own label, she also provides some stylish services like working with you to design unique and affordable custom pieces for your wardrobe. She even gave me some style tips like what shapes I should be wearing (and avoiding).

If you visit her, ask her about the t-shirts she's designing with some other creative friends, or her idea for personalized gift boxes.

Alongside Müge's samples in her boutique, you'll also find her mother's jewelry designs scattered about.

On Project Runway, Michael Kors has remarked at least once that a true talent will pick up a piece of fabric and let it speak to her - that the fabric will tell her what it wants to be. Müge expressed this exactly which is why I thought it appropriate to take a photograph of her next to her collection.

Can't wait to see what they turn in to.

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If you're planning to travel to Istanbul,  or even if you're already here, contact us to schedule a personalized Behind the Bazaar shopping trip.

Silk Slippers

It was several years ago that this article about Janet Chisholm was first published in the New York Times Style section, but I was delighted to come across her luxury accessories company Hanimefendi more recently.

Made by hand from antique silk ikats as well as modern woven fabrics, the slippers are designed and manufactured in a workshop behind the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul.

Near and dear to our hearts are anyone with the passion for reviving traditional craft with such beautiful taste and style.

Slippers fit for today's princess.

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All images from Hanimefendi.net

From Ottoman Caftans to Istanbul Fashion Week

Last week the Turkish Cultural Foundation announced an online gallery of caftans from the Style & Status exhibit praised in the Washington Post and the New York Times.

So I had a look.

 

16th Century Ottoman Caftan

Later I read this Zelfist post by Zehra Elif Taş questioning the designers chosen to show their collections this week at Istanbul Fashion Week. I asked her who she would like to see in the show, and this is what she responded.

Thinking from a Behind the Bazaar perspective, I was curious what connected the first event to the second; how are today's Turkish fashion designers influenced by what the Ottoman Empire left behind?

How's this?

 

17th Century Ottoman Caftan with Cintamani Motif

 Idil Tarzi Cintamani Print Dress

Or what about the designer Arzu Kaprol whose philosophy is:

"to express her enthusiasm within a context where many details reflect the mystery of the city and the Ottoman culture."

Maybe it's a good question for Zehra - Which of today's Turkish designers are most inspired by their past? Which collections best exhibit influences from Turkey's rich cultural heritage?


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{Caftan images from Style and Status}
{Cintamani print dress image from Idil Tarzi}
{Quote from Arzu Kaprol}

Welcome to Behind the Bazaar

Centuries-old artisan workshops

Behind the Bazaar is the enfolding of a story which takes two expat women from a providential meeting in the nostalgic quarter of Istanbul known as Beyoglu on to a journey of friendship, partnership and creative discovery. Tara is an American and came to Turkey seven years ago when she married. She is a successful entrepreneur in her own right with company Citara's and blog Turquoise Poppy. Figen is half British/half Turkish and came to Turkey 16 years ago from London, also through love and marriage. She has built a very successful online business of her own, The Knit Box and also publishes her own designs.

With many similar passions and ideas, it only seemed right for us to join forces to create Intarsia Concept, which supports artisans, small businesses and creative endeavours. Behind the Bazaar was born out of a joint passion for Turkish arts - both traditional and modern and particularly those created by women, as well as our desire to share the many secrets of Istanbul with people who will appreciate them. For Behind the Bazaar, we will always be grateful to Linda Alepin.

A modern twist on traditional art by young, women designers

So, anyone who is a traveler, a discoverer, an entrepreneur or simply a lover of arts, crafts and design; welcome again to Behind the Bazaar.