Mandarina Duck in Turkey: Amongst Odalisques and Sultans

Mandarina Duck has just doubled its presence in both Turkey and Istanbul with the opening of its second store in the Besiktas district.
It seems bizarre to have such hi-tech bags in this large big Turkish city - now a UNESCO heritage site - which evokes memories of Constantinople, the eastern Holy Roman Empire, the glory of the Ottoman Empire and Turkish sultans.

The aroma of spices and the sound of belly dancing music are still here in between the Topkapi Palace, the Hagia Sofia church-mosque and the historic districts of Tarlatasi and Kumkapi. They’re all being revamped for the Biennial Exhibition in 2009 and the designation as European Cultural Capital City for 2010.
The ultra-modern buildings in Levènt - the business and financial district - clearly show that the city is looking to the future.

Sightseeing through the streets of Beyoòlu reveals that the odalisque look is long gone. The neighbourhood is trendy and fun. Along with the love potions and Turkish delight being sold in the market, there are the fashion creations of Erza and Tuba Cetin and the Middle-Eastern inspired clothes of Atil Kutoglu.

If you wish to plunge into the past, there’s the usual cruise on the Bosporus or shopping in the Cukurcuma antiques shops. You might even find an Ottoman carpet or Byzantine icon that the experts of the Archeological Museum missed.

A perfect end to your day would be a night in the exclusive soft beds of the fancy W Istanbul hotel.
Love your room? Well, all the furniture and accessories can be bought online! It’s a real luxury reminiscent of ‘A Thousand and One Nights’!