February 28, 2013

You Are Where You Wear

 Mikail, Self employed
Sunglasses: Carrera
Jacket: Bench
T-Shirt: Small Guitar Shop at Taksim Square
Trousers: Diesel
Boots: Asos
You can tell a lot about a person by the t-shirt they wear. Besides Mikail's style stands out in positive manner, my attention was directed to his t-shirt: A darkish looking man, smoking a cigar in front of Istanbul's landmark the Maiden's Tower. Although this little island at the entrance of the Bosporus was occupied by a fortress in Byzantine times, the tower dates from the last century. In Turkish it's known as Kız kulesi supposedly after a princess who was hidden here after a prophet predicted she would die from a snake bit. Today Kız kulesi is a popular restaurant. But in this case the main issue is not Istanbul's impressive heritage - it's the t-shirt itself. For the first time in my life I saw a really nice non-touristic city themed shirt. Mikail bought this unique piece in Galata at Galip Dede Caddesi, locally known as music street, where you can get musical instruments, guitars and some clothes. A good place for buying non-touristic Istanbul t-shirts is Lal (Camekan Sokak No 4c). I guess, you are where you wear!

February 26, 2013

Clean Chic - a Tribute to Good Taste

Şeyma, Fashion Design Student
Sunglasses: Grand Bazaar
Coat: Weekday
Trousers: Cheap Monday
Lace-up shoes: Dr.Martens
Backpack: H&M
After keeping my eyes open unsuccessfully yesterday, I was really happily surprised when Şeyma and Mikail crossed my pass. Figuring out that they live in Germany was definitely an additional positive effect. I think Şeyma's clean-chic style is outstanding. At first sight simple and pure with small details. Without conscious intention she makes everything right because she knows exactly how to combine clear lines, simple cuts, discrete colors and different materials. Şeyma creates an accent with her white Dr.Martens lace-ups and the colored lips. No jewelry - only a simple leather bag. The clean-chic style is puristic and simple in form - almost avant-garde, the colors more sober than harsh. The clear lines impress with their minimalist glamour. This trend proves once more that not only flash colors and opulently tailored clothing are setting accents, but also simplicity. Şeyma's style is one hundred per cent her. She made me realize that the secret of individuality, personality and style is to dress without masquerade.
The backpack is from H&M. For more clean-chic inspired pieces you should check out two other Swedish labels: COS and Weekdays.

February 21, 2013

The Magic of Vintage or Newer isn't necessarily more Desirable

Hanna, Student
Coat: Vintage
Blouse: Asos
Leggings: Asos
Boots: Dr.Martens
Bag: Hermes
Hanna's eyes were sparkling when she told me about her coat: a hidden vintage treasure. It's pretty obvious that Hanna loves her coat and the associated feeling of pure enjoyment. It strikes me that vintage clothes offer a magical fascination. Vintage clothes found an increase popularity. The trend started in the early 1990s and continues. I wonder why vintage is more popular than ever in a world where it has become easy to buy whatever we need. Vintage clothing is unique. A piece that was created in a bygone era will always be a unique addition to the wardrobe. Every piece of vintage clothing has a history attached to it.  Whether it is a personal story that someone in your family can share or simply the history behind the fashion itself. Many clothes from previous eras paid a lot more attention to detail.  Most buttons and decorative items were hand sewn for example. The wave of vintage wearers over the past two decades proves that fashion is not like technology in that newer isn't necessarily more desirable. I think vintage clothing is more than just something to wear.
The best place for vintage shopping in Istanbul is definitely "By Retro" at İstiklal Caddesi Suriye Pasajı No.166 in Beyoğlu.

February 19, 2013

Elegant, Vintage and a little Romantic

Benedetta, Student
Jacket: Moncler
Leggings: Promod
Boots: UGG
Bag:Zizu
Call them superheroish or out of a vampire movie, capes have an association with a whole lot of fictional figures. Fictional if you consider Batman, Superman and Edward Cullen for example. Rebels have translated this comic book and fairytale fashion into the curated wardrobe, giving capes a large appeal. Perfect for transition periods (from warm to cold) and not that practical (unless you can find a cape with splits for moving your arms). The runways have seen a lot of capes from almost all the front liners in the fashion industry for fall / winter 2012. While Yves Saint Laurent and Vera Wang did shirt-inspired capes, Valentino, Ellie Saab and Gucci did Goth inspired capes and Donna Karan took inspiration from the shawl. Although the shop windows are full of capes, women on the street are not wearing them (yet?). That's why I had to stop Benedetta. I was walking behind her at Taksim Square and I could only see her cape and the bag. Enough for me to know that I wanted her to become part of Imprimoloco. Benedetta got her cape from the very famous Crocetta Market in Turin. On her the cape looks elegant, vintage and a little romantic, I think.
Benedetta's bag is from the Italian brand Zizu. 

February 15, 2013

Music is the Sound of Life

Aslı Communication Director at paylas.com
Sunglasses: Ray Ban
Coat: Mango
Cardigan: Zara
Cord trousers: Homestore
It was a beautiful and sunny winter day in Kadiköy when Aslı and her camera team asked me for an interview. Aslı is working as a communication director for the online video platform paylas.com. They wanted to know if people are interested in watching music concerts online two months after the concert took place. Since I could not imagine living without music, I decided telling them my personal perspective while shooting Aslı for Imprimoloco. And at the same time her camera team filmed us. Before our paths crossed yesterday, I was listening to the new album of my Swedish fellow countrymen Friska Viljor. Aslı's questions encouraged me to consider what it is about music that gives it so much power and importance. Music inspires and evoke emotions. It can change a difficult mood. Music is a universal language. Everyone can understand it and feel something if they open themselves up. Music is the key to creativity. It fuels the mind and thus fuels our creativity. Music creates ambiance. You can use music in any environment to enhance what is already there. And of course Music is a simple pleasure. All it takes is your ears and your imagination. There is a song for everyone and there is a piece of music for every occasion. For me, music is the sound of life.

February 14, 2013

Football is about what You are and how You meet the World

Hazal, Sport Management Student
Sunglasses: Ray Ban
Wool Cardigan: Vintage
Black Cardigan: Quicksilver
Jeans: Replay
Sneakers: New Balance
Football means different things to different people. For some people it's their living. For some people it's a passion. For some people it's almost a religion. Some love it, some like and some find it quite enjoyable, and of course some people think it's a waste of time. Hazal loves football. Not only because she studies sport management. Her heart beats for Beşiktaş. When she told me about her football passion I thought this is a perfect opportunity to write about the football phenomenon in Istanbul. Football is taken extremely seriously in whole Turkey - not only in Istanbul. Even by the high European standard of football fanaticism, it's rare to find such large scale, life and death investment surrounding a match by two competitors from the same cities. The majority of Turks support one of the nations's big three teams: Galatasaray, Fenerbahçe and Beşiktaş - all based is Istanbul. Each of the Istanbul teams has its own stereotype. Galatasaray, the oldest is associated with the élite Ottoman-era Galatasaray Lycée. Fenerbahce has the biggest budget and the most illustrious fan base. Beşiktaş is the underdog, the working class team, known for the ardor of its fans. The language of Beşiktaş is also characterized by the poetry of longing and love. I was impressed by Hazal's style of casualness and her passion for football and sports in general. She makes me think of the footballing metaphor: Football is about what you are and how you meet the world. Football is about doing all that can, irrespective of what happens beyond your control.

February 5, 2013

Do Something Different just to get back to Yourself a Little bit

Beste, Student
Vest: Topshop
Boots: Hunter
We always see strangely dyed hair on the catwalks of the biggest fashion events, but most of the times these hair trends do not find fans among people. Usually people are more into natural hair color. However, blue, green and pink stripped hair became quite a popular chic. Highlights don't have to be bright and vivid. Some highlights are so subtle you have to look up close to notice them. Not every person who highlights their hair is trying to be funky. Some personalities like to be different without being loud. That's exactly what I like about Beste's green highlights. She was shy and reserved, but very clear and focused when she told me her story. After a melancholy period Beste needed to change something. That's why she decided to dye her hair green. Sometimes it is necessary to do something different just to get back to yourself a little bit.

February 1, 2013

My Father gave Me the greatest Gift Anyone could give Another Person, He Believed in Me

Afishah, Student
Denim Jacket: Kitschen
Shirt: Bershka
Boots: UGG
Backpack: Sembonia
Most everyone is familiar with the phrase "Daddy's Girl". It connotes the unique relationship between fathers and daughters. A girls father is one of the most influential people in her life. He influences her life shape, self esteem, self image and opinion about men. I was very touched by the way, Afishah was talking about her dad. They have a close relationship. Her voice was full of love and pride while talking about him. Afishah is spending her last days as an exchange student in Istanbul right now. Soon she is going home to Malaysia. She fell in love with Istanbul and spent an exciting time here. I didn't plan to take pictures yesterday. But when I saw Afishah I knew that she would be a perfect fit for Imprimoloco. I like her fresh style. Afishah's backpack is a birthday and exam gift from her father. Needless to say that it means a lot her. I can't help but thinking, that I want the same relationship for my daughter and her father. "My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person, he believed in me." - Anomym