With Greece and Turkey being the first EU nations to open up to vaccinated travelers coming from the US, the prospect of a glamorous summer on the Med, for which we are all very eager, is finally within reach. While many are familiar with the whitewashed walls of Santorini and the dusk-to-dawn parties in Mykonos, Turkey has remained relatively under-the-radar to travelers who frequent the more popular coastal destinations in Greece, Italy and France. But with lockdowns still in effect and travel bans lifting slowly, travelers are looking to Turkey to provide the European summer escape we have long awaited.
For fashion lovers, two new Istanbul-based brands have teased the glamour of the Turkish Riviera, known as the Turquoise Coast, through their whimsy, colorful collections beloved by the Instagram generation. The brands in question are Anim, a lifestyle brand specializing in home textiles and gauzy resort wear, and Siedrés, a contemporary fashion brand oozing fantasy and edge. Through their respective brands, both designers have successfully revealed the cultural richness of their storied and vibrant roots, while infusing their own modern sensibilities, making a compelling case for Turkish tourism. With Turkey finally at center stage this summer, we asked the brands’ founders Mina Dilber Temo of Anim and Ceylin Türkkan Bilge of Siedrés to share some of their favorite insider spots in the Turquoise Coast.
