Peas in a Pod - 31

Burberry Prorsum Lace Trench.

We all loved it.

Serena loved it.

It's no gossip, Turkish brand İpekyol has it.

Kanyon Gazette February 2012

This month for Kanyon Mall Gazette I wrote about:

Marilyn's style in My Week with Marilyn.

Sebnem Dereli's classic style.

What to wear anywhere on V-day.

V-day style recos for different styles.

Celebrity styles.

Style icon Carolina Herrera's style.

The Ballerina trend. 

Magicform, the brand of the month.

And style according to astrological signs.

Peas in a Pod - 30

Turkish brand Koton has a thing for Prada.

Don't you think?

Peas in a Pod - 29

Last summer we were awed with Dolce&Gabbana's collection of an Italian bride's trousseau. This summer Turkish brand Beymen Club gives us this skirt as courtesy... that is I suppose. :))

Beirut Boutiques

I celebrated New Year's in Beirut; a city famous for its night life and food. However, I soon realized that its boutiques did not fall short compared to the ones in Europe. I think that we still don't have boutiques like this in Istanbul, well maybe except for Midnight Express and Atelier 55; and they are not even there yet.

You will probably read about the food and the night life in other sites, I will focus on fashion.

Let's start with my favorite: Starch.

In Saifi Village, where all the good boutiques are, Starch is an establishment that supports young designers who are just coming out of school. Their collections are on display temporarily until other designers arrive.

When I was there one of the designers, Dina, was there and her collection was my favorite along with the accessory designer Malaika Kajem. And don't think that the prices are low since they are new designers. That would be a mistake.

Dina Khalifé's work was all silk and dyed in Italy. The bugs and the worms and the spiders and the ants in the patterns were just right for me, unlike their price.

The rawness of Malaika's work is what I always look for in an accessory.

It must be impossible not to be effected by war when you are a designer in Beirut.

Since we are still at Saifi Village, let's move on with the other boutiques there. My second favorite Milia M got me at first hello with its window :)

You will find architectural pieces and great color at Milia M. Since I was mesmerized when I went inside, I forgot to take pics. But here are two that will give you the idea, I found on the net.

I believe the most colorful boutique at Saifi Village is Bokja.

Amber is a boutique I couldn't really put my finger on. They buy different brands from all around Europe. Take a look, it's like you never know what you're gonna get.

Then there was this one boutique, which was great, but I can't remember the name of...

The tshirt!

Nice touch.

Paper dolls...sorry glass dolls with alternate clothes :)))

And here are the other stores at Saifi Village, that you can ignore alltogether:

Nonsense filled Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious. We had enough in the 80s, thanks.

Johnny Farah's famous store stinks really bad leather, like the ones at Grand Bazaar Istanbul.

Another 80's inspired store, very much alike a store from 80s London, Cream

Sunflower. The boutique that did not allow me to take any photos, but no worries, nothing important.

Now we're through with Saifi Village, we can move on to some hardcore ones. Boutique 1 and Plum. Well you can read about these two in any piece about Beirut, so I'm not dwelling on them. One thing... If you like Colette or Browns, you'll like these two.

I got these 2 books from Boutique 1. With its website very much like Netaporter's Boutique1 is here and Plum here. Another boutique, which is very close to these two (in both senses), Santiago, is a must see as well.

The Good Life seems to be for men, but tough girls will like it as well. It's in Achrafieh.

How would you like to try on a pair of shoes, while you take a ...hmm you know what. Then Good Life's the place.

Then there is the Beyrut Souks with all the luxury brands you're looking for, blah blah blah. Sorry can't waste my space for this place. Go to NY or Dubai for this please.

When you visit Beirut, you are bound to see Byblos. Well, at least if you are a real traveller. The only store worth checking out in Byblos is Gibran's Lebanon. 

Any questions? Contact me. 

Need advice on where to eat? Contact me.

When will I, will I be 60+?

Year 2008.

Back then there is no Fashistanbuller. There is Fashionoutstylein.

I wrote a piece on style advancing with age. It is here but in Turkish :(.

Why did I remember that?

I've been following Advanced Style with great awe. It might actually be my favorite blog. Probably the only blog with real sense of style. It's book is coming out in April. Yay! Below is the trailer of that book. (Isn't that cool? A book with a trailer?!?!) If you want to learn anything about style or you think you know, you should watch it.

4th Best Shopping Avenue in the World!

It's not Champs Elysees

It's not 5th Avenue

It's not Ginza

It is Istanbul's much deserving Bagdat Avenue.

According to Presence Mystery Shopping agency found 30 spots that offer a heavenly shopping environment. Mystery Shoppers ranked these spots according to:

• Appearance
• Welcome
• Atmospehere
• Contact with passer-bys

Bagdat Avenue rose to the occasion very well and acquired 4th place. As someone who spent her life on Bagdat Avenue, I am proud and I agree 100%! Bagdat Avenue is so famous that we just call it Avenue. When someone says Avenue, everyone knows that person is talking about Bagdat Avenue.

To read the full news on CNNGO visit here.