Turkey is textile heaven, especially when it comes to high quality menswear: even my British husband usually gets his clothes from Turkey whenever we visit. Here are some of the country’s leading men’s fashion brands, alongside London-based label Chalayan, to freshen up your winter wardrobe.
One of the pioneers in cool Turkish men’s ready-to-wear fashion is Kiğılı. Their AW19 collection, featuring jackets, jumpers, stain-resistant shirts with nanotechnology, ties, cashmere scarves, gloves, bags and wallets, is perfect for modern, urban men who want to feel comfortable yet stylish. Key colours are black, navy, brown, saffron, white and – one of the season’s peak trends – orange.
With more than 900 designer brands in its stores, as well as its in-house labels such as Academia, Beymen Club and Beymen Collection, Beymen is a prominent name in luxury women’s and men’s fashion. Academia’s men’s street fashion collection is inspired by the contradictory moods in David Lynch’s Twin Peaks television series and reflects the conflict between dreams and reality. This hybridism can be seen in the combination of different fabrics and materials, and also in the use of traditional patterns with a modern twist. This season’s colours are pink, black and red, with leopard print visible on accessories such as boots.
Beymen Club’s new menswear collection is inspired by nature and urban life. Key pieces include long puffer jackets and duffle coats, as well as shirts, jumpers, sweatshirts, hooded blazers and knitwear jackets.
The Beymen Collection boasts an extensive menswear section split into three sections. ‘Casual’ is sophisticated-yet-sporty leisurewear that includes cashmere knitwear, shearling jackets and flannel trousers. The seasonal favourite off-white is used with other colours such as black, navy, khaki, camel and grey. Its ‘Sartorial’ collection is for formal wear, while ‘Travel Line’ is for travellers and has handy non-iron shirts and tracksuits.
Globally renowned Turkish Cypriot designer Hussein Chalayan creates around a ‘Pretension’ theme in his AW19 men’s collection, combining riding, fetish, and the experiences of nature and army life to create an indefinable fashion aesthetic. Fabrics are mostly light, with warmth achieved through deep pleats and layering. Classic winter colours sit alongside seasonal neon ones.
Chalayan’s collection is on sale online and from his usual stockists. Kiğılı’s and Beymen’s collections can be purchased in Turkey. Both brands have overseas presence, but sadly not yet in Britain. Beymen Club also has a shop at the new Istanbul Airport, which you can visit while you are waiting for your flight.
Main photo, top (L-R): Academia (Beymen), AW19, Beymen Collection, AW19, and Kiğılı, AW19
