Postcards From Istanbul

Sweatshirt: £110, Etre Cecile. Sunglasses: from £20, Toyshades. Shirt dress: £55, Asos. Sandals: £45, Asos.

I’m the kind of person who goes to Istanbul for one night. Yep, when Boticca.com asked me to join them on a buying trip, I couldn’t say no.

I’ve always wanted to go and with the current buzz around the city (even more so with the newly opened Soho House), I was thrilled to join Luisa De Paula, Fashion & Brand Director of Boticca (previously of My Wardrobe) on a buying trip, scoping out new creative labels in the city. The idea of the trip was to give a group of journalists insight into the site, which helps hundreds of small, independent brands have a platform to sell online internationally. Like when you find the most amazing gem of a shop amidst a small town abroad and then wish you you could still buy when you get home. Now you can.

Luisa assured me that Istanbul is now a real creative hub, and the city is their ‘one to watch’ in terms of design, with loads of emerging talent – and I got to see it first hand.

Denim jacket: J Crew (buy similar here). Bag: £170, M Hulot. Dress: £55, Asos. Sandals: £45, Asos

Trying on Burcu Okut jewellery, all handmade in the designer’s shop in Istanbul

Luisa De Paula and Hannah, from InStyle (and flat shoe blog enbrogue.com) doing the Tourist thing

Wearing my ToyShades (you might get sick of these sunnies soon – but I feel liberated – I can at last see in the sunshine!). Earrings: £35, Upper Metal case at Boticca Sterling silver and bronze studs, £35, Upper Metal Case at Boticca

Amazing silk scarves from Rumisu – these are illustrations of aliens dancing at a wedding!

Turkish hospitality – cakes made by the Rumisu ladies (and an inspiring Art wall in the background)

Rumisu scarves

Turkey’s tile porn goes without saying…

Soho House Hotel – great for lounging and a spot of brunch

Even the tiles in the spice market were beautiful….

Wearing: Jacket, DAY Birger et Mikkelsen. Vest top: £29.99, Mango. Culottes: £20 in the sale, Atterley Road. Sandals: £65, Birkenstock. Suitcase: Marks & Spencer

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