DDi - June 2010 - (Page 8)

8 | From the Editor One city, many faces I stanbul, the largest city in Turkey and a mega commercial and cultural center, is in itself a tale of two cities (thank you, Mr. Dickens, for the handy metaphor). Not only has the city historically been known by multiple names—Byzantium and Constantinople come to mind—but it is divided between two continents, with the Bosphorous Strait separating the Asian side from the European side. Retail in Istanbul follows a similar divergent pattern—a landscape divided among ancient and eclectic and super-modern luxury. I recently spent some time in the city, invited to speak at a retail design conference attended by about 700 Turkish merchants, architects and brand consultants. The conference was a fantastic event, but having the opportunity to visit the retail in this ancient, storied city was truly an experience. My first step into the world of Istanbul retail occurred at the all-too-wellknown Grand Bazaar, one of the world’s largest covered markets housing 60 streets and more than 5,000 “shops” (read: tiny, clustered enclosures). The bazaar was first constructed in the mid-1400s, and every bit of that history is felt as you walk through its labyrinth of halls. The array of colorful and ornate Turkishdesigned water pipes, candlesticks, rugs, jewelry, chess sets and oil lamps (many which looked to surely be genie-producing) was simultaneously dizzying and delightful. I wheeled and dealed at the Grand Bazaar (all part of the fun!), buying a gorgeous patterned wool scarf, a Turkish-designed silver necklace and a handpainted ceramic serving bowl. As I later told my husband, he is lucky I only spent a few hours there—with my wallet open and Turkish Lira ready, mind you. My next stop was the Istinye Park shopping center, which, to be blunt, looked like Rodeo Drive on steroids. Its new outdoor lifestyle addition is dropping jaws to the ground the world over. Was I still in the same city? Think the highest of high-end retail, set in a lush outdoor center, with a parking lot filled with Beamers, Mercedes and—yes—more than one Ferrari. Each retail brand had the liberty to design the architectural façade of its individual storefront (what a fantastic effect!), and a translucent glass cube (à la Apple Fifth Avenue) serves as a second entrance to the underground portion of the mall. Simply stunning. Finally, we visited Kanyon, a multi-purpose retail, office and residential complex designed by The Jerde Partnership of Los Angeles in 2006. Located in the Levent financial district of Istanbul, this indoor/outdoor space, architecturally speaking, is brilliant. The stores are set on multiple levels that curve around a central communal space like a cavernous canyon that is open to the elements above, with every sightline providing gorgeous linearity and undulating curves. I was lucky to visit in the evening, to see the transformation from dusk to night, and the subtle lighting effects that add an even greater level of intensity to the space. I cannot put into words the depth of appreciation and inspiration that came home with me from my relatively short time spent in this wonderful city. The culture, architecture, history and overall quiet beauty of this old-world/new-world city should be shared. So I will. Visit www.ddionline. com/istanbul for a photo tour of some of the retail offer there. Alison Embrey Medina Executive Editor alison.medina@ddionline.com www.ddionline.com | June 2010 http://www.ddionline.com/istanbul http://www.ddionline.com/istanbul http://www.ddionline.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of DDi - June 2010

DDi - June 2010
From the Editor
Newsworthy
Quick Tips
Greentailing
Editor’s Choice
Design Snapshot
Channel Focus: Home Furnishings
Levi’s London
Berlin
Put the “StoreFirst”
Branding in 2010
Most Valuable U.S. Retail Brands 2010
POP Products
Right Light
In-Store Technology
Product Spotlight
Calendar
Advertisers
Classifieds
Shopping with Paco

DDi - June 2010