15 May, 2019
Jewellery designer Ece Sirin creates statement pieces inspired by talismanic symbols. Here, the Istanbul-native tells us about her line, her favourite city haunts and the coolest neighbourhood to explore.
My first introduction to Ece Sirin was by way of a signet ring. I was at Soho House Istanbul at the time and across the table a small, glittering eye peered back at me from the outer stretches of its wearer's hand. "Who is your ring by?" I demanded all too emphatically. "Ece Sirin", answered my wary seat partner.
Ece is an archetypal Istanbulite with an appetite for symbols. With a seemingly infinite knowledge of her city - where to go when and why we should be there in the first place - she let us raid her address book (and jewellery drawer) before setting out to explore.
Here she shares her tips on where to find the perfect Turkish breakfast, points out key shopping spots and shares her choice of one book to read before you go.
Spring and autumn.
Walking with a local friend. Taking a boat trip on the Bosporus is also a good option.
Bebek for jet-setting; Galata and Çukurcuma neighbourhoods for design and antique hunting; Fener and Balat for scouting out old houses and churches; Beyoglu for art galleries.
Hotel Les Ottomans, Sumahan on the Water, Pera Palace Hotel and Splendid Palace Hotel in Buyukada.
Amanda Bravo, Mürver Restaurant, Neolokal, Alaf Kuruçeşme, Zorlu's Morini Restaurant and Sanayi 313.
Bebek Balikçi, Mikla Restaurant, Sunset Grill & Bar and Wolfgang Puck's Spago in the St Regis Istanbul.
Bi Nevi Deli or Gabfoods for vegan and healthy food.
Klein, Nardis Jazz Club, Ulus 29, Must Nişantaşi or Babylon Bomonti.
Gizli Kalsin and Lucca Bebek.
Şayan in Gayrettepe and Dürümcü Musa Usta.
Making a long ferry trip on Bosporus with Asia on your right side and Europe on your left.
Go to Belgrad Forest for a long walk and have a Turkish-style breakfast at Yeni Derya Café or take a traditional hammam ritual at Kilic Ali Pasa Hamam.
Çirağan Palace Kempinski or Perispri Fener.
A visit to Buyukada, the biggest of Princes' Islands.
Modern and comfortable.
A raincoat and trainers.
Akmerkez and Zorlu Center malls for designer brands, Karaköy for local design shops, Bagdat Street for budget shopping and Ortaköy Square for authentic goods.
Spice Bazaar and the Grand Bazaar.
Watching the fishermen from Galata Bridge with a nice view of the Old City - plus you can eat fish in bread served directly off the boats by the dockside.
Turkish delight (the best is Divan) Turkish coffee (Selamlique is my favourite), a glass evil eye (these are stocked in Paşabahçe stores), Anatolian kilims and Bee Goddess jewellery.
That it's purely an Arab city. In fact, it's one of the world's greatest cultural crossroads close to European culture.
Basilica Cistern and The Süleymaniye Mosque.
Istanbul: Memories and The City by Orhan Pamuk, winner of the 2006 Nobel Prize in literature.
