Istanbul: Meet our new Guest editor Gizem Oflazoglu who made the best decision to live half the time in Istanbul and half in Bodrum, the two most beautiful places in Turkey. She is not only a fashionable, one-of-a-kind testimonial to her hometown Istanbul but also an international traveller and successful business woman, who always knows what’s coming up next. IRMA had a talk with her as she wants to know where to go during Istanbul Fashion Week, which will be from today till the 21st of May.
IRMA: What comes first to your mind when you think of Istanbul?
G.O.: The impeccable Bosphorus is simply the icon of Istanbul.
IRMA: When you have a day off what is your favorite thing to do in town?
G.O.: I love to go to Bebek, the tiny town by the Bosphorus. Have a coffee, gaze at the boats dancing on the water and just think for a while.
IRMA: For shopping, the shops you always step by?
G.O.: Beymen, the multi-brand department store (like Selfridges, Harrods).
IRMA: What fashion item would you buy in Istanbul that you cannot get anywhere else in the world?
G.O.: Ottoman-style caftans (jackets) by Gonul Paksoy, that you can rest assured no one else in the world will have. All of her clothes utilize 100% natural dyes, and mostly antique fabrics. All of her pieces are original, hand-dyed and hand-sewn, using 100% silk even for the thread and lining.
IRMA: What is your daily beauty routine?
G.O.: Every two days I go to a Pilates class and every other day I go for a morning walk. I have a long shower, all with paraben-free shampoos (Phyto), shower gels, body oils and body creams (all baby products from Bioderma). Then I am ready to work. At the end of the day I wash my face with an electric brush (Clarisonic) and put on my facial oil that I have produced myself (sweet almond oil, camomile oil and sesame oil).
IRMA: Do you have a favorite hairdresser or beauty salon in town?
G.O.: Erdem Kiramer for the last 18 years now 🙂
IRMA: What are your favourite places to go out in Istanbul?
G.O.: To spend an evening with your friends you go to “Lucca”, for business lunch to “Papermoon” and with your lover to “Tapasuma at Sumahan Hotel by the Water”
IRMA: Where and how do you keep fit in Istanbul?
G.O.: Well, I live most of the time in Bodrum, thus the coastline between the Bodrum Marina and Bodrum Harbour is my morning walk path. I attend the Pilates classes in Avenue Shopping Mall. When in Istanbul, I do my morning walks along the Bosphorus.
IRMA: Is there a special health spot you really like, a lunch place, organic food shop, etc?
G.O.: All the food in “Lucca” is meticulously selected to perfection with healthy ingredients. Besides the food in the newly opened “La Petite Maison” in the Park Hyatt is impeccable. On the other hand, what is popular now is to have your olive oil, tomatoes, jams, cheese and such directly from farmers, which are delivered to your address. For a treat you will go to the “Hamam at the Ritz Carlton”.
IRMA: How would you describe the current fashionista style of Istanbul?
G.O.: I believe the street style remains up to date with all the cool metropolitan cities of the world. I would not say there is a different style. But talking on my behalf, following all the catwalks instantly, I like to style it with my basics. I just get the general idea from all and blend them in my own style. Meaning I would never wear anything that I would not like, no matter how “in fashion” it could be. “Pop-fashion” I call that, is not my style, but the streets of Istanbul are.
IRMA: Which fashion piece is a must-have in this town?
G.O.: A cult and classic designers’ bag: either the iconic Chanel, the Birkin or a Sofia Coppola LV.
ADDRESSES BY GIZEM
Beymen, Zorlu Center (Levazim Mahallesi, Besiktas)
Gönül Paksoy, Atiye Sokak, No:1, Nisantasi
Lucca, Cevdet Paşa Caddesi, No:51, Bebek
Erdem Kiramer hairdresser, Maya Residence, Etiler
The Ritz-Carlton, Dolmabahce, Besiktas
Sumahan on the Water, Kuleli Caddesi, No:51, Cengelkoy (on the Asian Side, by the Bosphorus)
Paper Moon, Akmerkez, Etiler
La Petite Maison, Park Hyatt Macka, Nisantasi
Avenue Shopping Mall, Konacik, Bodrum