Fashion/Accessories

Start on the corner of Abdi Ipekçi and Vali Konag˘i Cad. and zip down Abdi Ipekçi, the Rodeo Drive of Istanbul, for a label moment with all the big names. If antique rugs and carpets are your thing, nip up little Prof. Dr. Feyzi Feyziog˘lu Sok. on your right and at the end, turn left into Mim Kemal Öke Cad. for lovely Günes¸ Öztarakçi (see Adv. Shop.). If your tummy’s grumbling, carry on and to the left: at #11 is Gallic Brasserie la Brise / 244 4846; at #19 cool Delicatessen / 225 0604 / delicatessenistanbul.com / has all-day yummy dining; or across to the right is classic Park Samdan¸ (see Lunch). If not, simply continue down Abdi Ipekçi and at #19 buzz up to the 3/F for yoofy, sharp deconstructs with femflair at Bahar Korçan / 296 9276. Opp. at #18 is Urart / urart.com.tr / that looks staid from outside, but ask to see their fab silver and gold jewellery based on ancient archaeological designs. Back over at #23 is Beymen dept. store offering four floors for big brand lovers and two basement levels dedicated to the edgy fash cache of Beymen Blender. Next door is the über-posey Nisanta¸si¸ Brasserie / 343 0443 / (LOVING your tan daaarling, it’s not at all streaky...), and the far more digestible Grissini / 343 1297. Detour left here into Bostan Sok. for flirty, wearable and feminine Elaidi at #11 / 236 3783 (see Adv Shop. for the bespoke atelier). Across at #10 is swank Armaggan (see Adv. Shop) for one-of-a-kind jewellery, lifestyle and collectibles. Retrace back to Abdi Ipekçi and turn left. At #45/2 is slinky Punto / 219 8149 / for cool modern leathers and furs, then skip across to A46 at #46/3 / 233 9031 / for sauce-bang, glamapparel vixenwear. Now cross back and turn left into Atiye Sok., which is a pedestrian road full of lively caffs and restos. Here on your left at #14 is Ela Cindoruk Nazan Pak / 232 2664 / a gallery of funky floral-ish mod jewellery. You can pop across the street to Arzu Kaprol at #9 / 225 0129 / arzukaprol.net / for highly individual chic gal-gear, or head two doors down to #10 for a sweet branch of The House Café for homey fare, cakes and joe (see Lunch). At #8 buzz yourself up to the airy studio of the fabulous Zeynep Erol / 236 4668 / zeyneperol.net / for a standout, delightful array of precious, contempo body ornaments and unusual rings. At #6 is Gönül Paksoy’s smaller but cuter store / 261 9081 / the flagship store is across at #1 / the renowned genius of hand-dyed fabric and ethnic-eclectic jewellery, accessories and fashion. On one side of the Gönül Paksoy flagship store is late-night joint Casita (see Rest./Relaxed) and on the other is luxey leather-fest Koç / 258 5911 / for superb butter-soft skins in myriad designs. Now you have two options: first, turn left into Tesvikiye¸ Cad. and potter up to #105 for sticky-sweet Saray / 236 1617 / order the chicken pudding (tavukgögsü); inside the complex at #117 are Pasabahçe¸ / 233 5005 / for very good value everyday glassware, and Beymen Casa Club for tony local homeware and a cuppa in their neat café. Or, turn right onto Tesvikiye¸ Cad. then bear right onto Maçka Cad. Take the first right into the gleaming Park Hyatt (see Accom.) and reward yourself with a nice, big protein injection at The Prime (see Rest./Smart). Superstar!