Damat/Tween at Istanbul Fashion Week: “Limited Edition”

ORKA group, the dynamic fashion house of one of the world’s highly sought after brands, has just put on another spectacular fashion show of the Damat Tween brands hosted at Santral İstanbul, for the Istanbul Fashion Week 2011.

Thinking about a “limited” collection to underline the essential pieces for celebrations, special parties, and gatherings, Damat/Tween created a timeless and extraordinary collection that will eternize the unforgettable memories of our lives.

Designed for young and dynamic men that are experiencing their first excitements in life, ties made of unusual materials such as leather or knits and accessories combined with metal details replace conservative neckties.

As essentials of a gentleman’s wardrobe, shoes come forward as the distinctive pieces of the collection. Made of suede, leather and velvet reflecting the color palette of the whole collection, these shoes are perfected with bindings and special embroidery. A variety of velvet bowties, ties and vests that appeal to a wide variety of personal style preferences will be the favorite pieces of the season.

The combination of midnight colors such as saxe, ruby and dark green with surprising materials adds on to the distinctive characteristics of Damat Tween’s “Limited Edition” collection.

See the entire runway collection here.
Photos & text Copyright Orka Group.

Category › Damat , Turkish designers , Tween

Damat/Tween at Istanbul Fashion Week

At the most recent editionn of Istanbul Fashion Week, Turkish label Damat/Tween presented a 2011 spring/summer collection with the them of Prom Boys & Girls.

Prom is short for promenade. At the end of the students’ senior year in the United States in Canada, a formal black tie dance called “the Prom” is held.

Some schools differentiate between a Senior Prom and Junior Prom, while many other countries have equivalents to the US and Canadian proms.

Nevertheless, guys normally rent a tuxedo, buy their date a corsage, and take a formal picture of the couple.

Oftentimes, a Prom Queen is chosen, as well as a Prom King and Prom Court—all very regal sounding!

Historians trace the origins of proms to the late 1800’s. See the collection here.

Photos Copyright Orka Group.

Category › Damat , Turkish designers , Tween

Formalwear? Never fear, Manzetti is here!

Mention formalwear and some guys begin to tremble. Mention a tux—and oftentimes you get male fear factor!

But formalwear and tuxedos are the epitome of male elegance, and Manzetti takes the shudder out of both!

Whether with bow tie or straight tie, cummerbund or suspenders—there are few other ways to impress the crowds than with a formal tux-like suit or full-fledged tuxedo!

For spring/summer 2011, Manzetti has just launched a chic line of formal menswear that will guarantee you look your stunning best, no matter what the formal occasion.

Have a look at the entire collection here.

Photos Copyright Manzetti.

Category › İlkay Ates , Manzetti , Turkish designers

2011 Style Guide by Francesco: Getting to the Bottom of Things—Shoes

One major mistake that the more conservative male dresser commits against his suit is the color of the shoes—black only.

Don’t get me wrong, though. The black dress shoe should be an integral part of every man’s wardrobe; but this season it is all about breaking it up a bit—boldly mixing and matching.

Traditionally, shoes matched your belt. So instead of black, why not try brown; then, match the shade of brown to your belt and accessories, such as your briefcase or shoulder bag.

Now if you are really confident with your eye for color, seek out a shoe with a splash of color and—then—match that color with your tie, sweater, vest, or belt.

(Bear in mind, however, belts are not imperative this season. A beltless suit look can add an air of casual confidence and a little more length to the slim silhouette that you are trying to achieve.)

As for the type of shoe, the ankle-high dress boot is a nice variation. If you live in an area where the winter or rainy season is messy, lace up a more rugged-looking boot.

Finally for the young at heart, a stylish yet unpretentious sneaker can spice up a casual but “cooler” look.

(P.S. Retire the square-toe shoes!)

Check out more great looks for shoes here.

Category › Giovane Gentile , trends colors , trends styles , Turkish designers

2011 Style Guide by Francesco: Panting over Pants & Below

Two weeks ago, I delved into a series of articles called “2011 Style Guide by Francesco,” pointing out how the main staple of this fashion season is none other than the suit—but with a twist.

The pendulum is swinging more formal, but with a modern, urban flair; so if we truly want to achieve this twist, we have to take an in-depth look at pants.

Now, you could take the easy road by purchasing a suit that comes with a jacket and matching pants, but you probably will not master the compete look of the season.
Currently, the right slacks for your suit attire will probably not be identical to the jacket but rather different in shade, color, hue, texture, material and/or pattern.

If you are ever unsure, don’t be embarrassed to ask for experienced help: matching colors and coordinating patterns require a good level of fashion sense.

If you are mixing up your look with a pair of jeans, for example, a darker color pair will normally go better with a suit jacket of a different color, texture, and/or pattern.

Whatever color or pattern you do choose, make sure the pants are without pleats, low waist, and slim leg. The young at heart may even throw on a blazer over some very snug-legged pants.

How Tight is Tight?
For the past few seasons, leggings have been appearing on the runways around the world, however, since most men would not wear them, they translate into in everyday life as snug-fitting pants—in some cases, almost as if they have been painted on!

Sock It to Me!
Thanks to designers like Thom Browne, some men are wearing their slimmer pants slightly above the ankle, showing some “skin” in the summer and some lively color-coordinated socks in the winter.

Again, if you do not have much experience, ask for help with this look; otherwise you may walk out of the store looking like you just put on some hand-me-downs!

Nevertheless, a little color showing at the ankle and coordinated with another item like the tie can really set you apart from the crowd!

Have a look at more examples here.

Photo Copyright Giovane Gentile.

Category › editorial , Giovane Gentile , trends colors , trends fabrics , trends styles , Turkish designers

“Retired Rockers”—Umit Benan

The Retired Rockers inspiring the f/w 2010-2011 collection are a group of musicians who made music history in the 1970s and ‘80s, once young and wild kids with no direction beyond rousing an entire generation to a blaring rock beat.

Umit Benan presents his vision of these old rockers—his rockers—imagining a rock band à al Rolling Stones that gets together with a few old buddies, such as Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen and with produce Ahmet Ertegun (the man who discovered them and who, not coincidentally, shares the designer’s Turkish roots).

See the collection here.

Photos Copyright Umit Benan.

Category › press release , Turkish designers , Umit Benan

“Home Sweet Home”—Umit Benan

The summer wardrobe designed by Umit Benan pivots on the primary dualism between masculine and feminine, every pursuing—in the intense new colors, the luxurious materials, the clean or fluid shapes exquisitely in sync with the body—a concept of pure easy elegance.

The palette explores different earth and sea tones: dark bark brown, ink black, deep hues of navy and mocha flank much softer and lighter nuances, such as Evil Eye Ocean blue and sun bleached stone grey. Green and orange have a sieved quality, thanks to mélange weaves; while macro stripe and madras plaid prints add graphic energy to the freer mixes.

Have a look at the image gallery.

Photos Copyright Umit Benan.

Category › Turkish designers , Umit Benan