Designer Boutique Shopping In Istanbul
09/24/2007 12:09 p.m.
The geographical location of Istanbul, being the only major city in the world which is situated on two different continents, is reflected in all aspects of the ancient city founded as Constantinople. Your travel agent can demonstrate how Istanbul is truly a bridge between East and West, as well as representing a unique metropolis where Europe and Asia intermingle. For almost two thousand years, Istanbul has been a focal point of interchange between various cultures and this phenomenal heritage has created a city which is a blend of an astounding number of cultural influences, all interwoven into an unique and spectacular living tapestry.
There are cultural aspects of this awe inspiring city which have remained unchanged for over a millenium. Your travel agent can show you how to best experience the magnificence of the historical culture of the Turks when you visit the Sultanahmet district where the architectural treasures from the Byzantine Constantinople era are located: the Blue Mosque, Haghia Sophia and the stunning Topkapi Palace. You can taste just a bit of it in the incredibly hot and sweet traditional Turkish tea which was a staple served to travellers and merchants on the Silk Route.
Savoring the local delicacies and imbibing in a remarkable variety of inexpensive libations (very unusual for a Muslim country) is definitely one of the more memorable Istanbul experiences. From sunset to midnight you can down as many "economical" drinks as you can handle at a number of meyhanes taverns, and from midnight to sunrise you can choose to party at any one of several clubs. Yet not all of the gourmand adventures are restricted to traditional, heritage-steeped locations. Beyoglu and Ortaköy are just a couple of Istanbul's neighborhoods where visitors can find a broad variety of bars, clubs and restaurants which would fit right in at Greenwich Village or in Soho. Some of the "don't miss" highlights include Babylon, Turkey's hottest dance club, and the magnificently elegant Istanbul 360 featuring an unparalleled panoramic view of the city which makes it the perfect place to relax with an artfully prepared cocktail.
Surprisingly, Istanbul is home to a considerable number of prestigious designer fashion stores in direct contrast to the more traditional and populist atmosphere of the Kapali Çarsi Covered Bazaar in Beyazit just north of Sultanahmet. Istanbul is justifiably proud of its Occidental-Oriental character and for many decades was a shopper’s destination primarily for handwoven carpets or carved Byzantine items. In the past few years, an East-meets-West, old-meets-new vibe has taken over the ancient city, as homegrown designers such as Hakan Yildirim and Arzu Kaprol have opened their own stores, while others like Bahar Korçan and Atil Kutoglu are even showing in London, Milan and New York.
Istanbul has no central boutique street so a high-end shopping trip will take you on a tour of the city. The primary stop has to be on Abdi Ipekçi Caddesi, in the wealthy Nisantasi quarter where you’ll find Kaprol’s opulent boutique right across the street from the tiny jewelry outlet of Ela Cindoruk and Nazan Pak which features old-new balanced organic silver or platinum rings, necklaces, and earrings. Also close by are Hakan Yildirim’s ready-to-wear outlet and office showroom. Over in Beyoglu, you can shop at the famous Mavi Jeans flagship store on Istiklâl Avenue and stock up on some of the finest designer denim, then turn down the hill from the sublime gates of Galatasaray Lisesi into the Çukurcuma antiques district where you will find Erkal Aksoy’s A la Turca on Faik Pasa Yokusu, a wonderous showroom of decorative objects right across the street from famed furniture and interior designer Hakan Ezer. Or drop into Egin Tekstil, where Dr. Suleyman Ertas makes his own fabrics which are prized by world-class designers Dolce & Gabbana. Contact your travel agent today for a fashionable shopping tour like no other in the world!
