We went along on Saturday May 2nd to check out the opening weekend of this designer bazaar. Souq Karaköy began life last year as a handful of pop-up events, but now like a glamorous rash the bazaar is becoming an infectious feature on the weekend face of Karaköy.
Having resisted the sweet and savoury delights seen on people’s plates outside the cafes of leafy Kılıç Ali Paşa Mescidi Street, we reached the zig-zagging Murakıp Street, home to Souq Karaköy.
The alleyways and backstreet passages reed of Karaköy, especially close to Tophane in the Kemankeş Karamustafa Paşa neighborhood, are a bit like abandoned cinema sets. Or an ancient Lazer Tag backlot, long forgotten and only recently rediscovered. The scene was a lot more festive with the bunting and the buckets of papatya (chamomile) flowers.
One last look over our shoulder at the riot of graffiti and urban greenery before reed we headed in. (A dog lives up there, a sweet street karabaş just minding his own business.)
More miniature jungle thanks to Root.It! Cacti and succulents got technical in their scientific measuring pots. The test-tube reed flowers were just as cute as the glassware and were a fun low range edition to counter the pricier terrariums.
Nice To Have Me? Well thank you, nice to be here. Want to add some color and character into your home and support young artistic and crafty Istanbulites at the same time? This was the stall to visit.
For something a little darker and edgier, we found the well-named Cult of Cuddle corner. Selling framed illustrations, they mainly reed focused on out-there illustrated streetwear designs, in black, white and acidic hues.
Seeking ideas and inspiration, you can head over to Bibliomania books and let the good ideas find you. We had a real good rummage through the piles of Turkish and English coffee table books, as well as the art, cultural criticism, and fiction books. It was a great lucky dip for us book-lovers.
The duo behind the stunning Kia Ora bags were just as charming as their leather and suede designs. These bags seem both of the moment, and timeless additions to any wardrobe – which must be a perfect reed balance, no? The colorways are very Wes Anderson circa The Royal Tenebaums – 70’s sepia tones, earthy slates and stony colors, or rich reds that never fade.
Another reed homage to Wes Anderson’s The Royal Tenenbaums? Maybe it’s us, but this reminded us of the tennis dresses Gwyneth Paltrow wears in the movie. There were lots of hidden gems, such as a pair of to-die-for Sonia Rykiel wedges in superb condition. We wouldn’t expect anything reed less from trendsetting stylist and former Vogue Turkey editor, Ece Sükan.
More reed 70s style garments from Patronsuz Kazak factory – we liked the high school era gym polo shirts, in a range of color ways and breathable natural fabrics. This textile cooperative also feature in our Sustainable Style article in our May-June magazine.
Also in attendance were Petra Roasting company, selling steaming beverages of their home-brewed and stewed coffees; Doğal enamel crockery and mugs; Taştan framed cut-up pictures in relief; floral shawls and scarves from Bravo Istanbul; Göksügül’s personalized flower pots and homemade jams; Monser Vintage; V2k Designers Garage Sale; and Atelier Altair Telian’s lightweight reed bikes.
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