B
orn and raised in Istanbul and educated at the prestigious Rhode Island School of Design in the United States, fashion designer Serra Türker made her name in New York City with her boldly coloured and patterned Misela line of purses and clutch handbags. Named “one to watch” by Elle magazine, Türker’s designs can be found at stylish shops from Mexico City to Jeddah, including Bloomingdale’s Dubai and Harvey Nichols Hong Kong. Last year, she relocated back to her hometown to open her first Misela boutique, in the lively Beyoğlu district of Istanbul. The two great cities Türker has called home are reflected in her past-meets-present style, which combines the knowledge and workmanship of Istanbul’s longtime leatherworkers, metal smiths and other craftsmen with her sleek, thoroughly modern geometric designs.
What are Istanbul’s best and worst qualities?
I love the way that Istanbul is a mix of cultures. The old and the new are interlaced together and you can always find something that you didn’t know existed before. Istanbul’s significant history penetrates you when you become part of the city. Its beauty mesmerises you every day and you can still feel the different cultures that lived there throughout the years. Istanbul has many great qualities, but the traffic is its worst quality. Where is the best place to experience the real Istanbul?
The Beyoğlu district is the best place to experience the real Istanbul. İstiklal Caddesi is one of the oldest streets in the city and it always amazes me with the amount of [foot] traffic it sees on a regular day. I love to explore the [nearby] Çukurcuma and Galata neighborhoods too. What is the city’s best-kept secret?
The Princes’ Islands are somewhere that might not be on your itinerary. These nine islands [in the Marmara Sea] have been the summer getaway for
The Beyoğlu district is the best place to experience the real Istanbul.
many people throughout the years. What I love about these islands is that motorised vehicles are forbidden; you either have to walk around to explore them or use horse-drawn carriages. On the top of Büyükada, or “Big Island,” there is the Church of St. George, also known as the Aya Yorgi Church. It is one of the two holy pilgrimage places for Christians [in Istanbul]. When you’re away from Istanbul, what about it do you miss the most?
I truly miss the Bosphorus. No matter where you see the Bosphorus from, it always gives you a certain feeling of peace. Where is your favourite place to go shopping in Istanbul?
I’m not a mall person; I like to go to stores that have a selection of different brands. I love to shop at Midnight Express [in Bebek and Nişantaşı] and Atelier 55 [in Galata]. Describe your perfect day in Istanbul.
My perfect day would be to walk by the Bosphorus on the European side from Kuruçeşme to Bebek, then have a great brunch at Mangerie with friends. After that, I would go to my store in the Beyoğlu district and hang out in the store all day. At night, I would go to Münferit for dinner and drinks. If Istanbul was an outfit to wear, what would it look like?
It would look like an old caftan with patches on it, symbolising all of the new additions to the city. If you had to sum up Istanbul in five words, what would they be?
Beautiful, eclectic, harmonious, spiritual, and energetic. Misela Boutique Meşrutiyet Caddesi No. 107E Beyoğlu, Istanbul, Turkey Telephone: +90 212 243 53 00 Website: www.miselaistanbul.com Hours: Mon.-Wed., 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Thurs.-Sat., noon to 9 p.m.
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