Lonely Planet İstanbul Guide

7 SHOPPING Serious shoppers, visiting celebs, public-relations professionals and the city’s gilded youth gravitate towards upmarket Nişantaşı, which is located about 2km north of Taksim Meydanı and accessed via the metro (Osmanbey stop). International fashion and design shops are found in the streets surrounding the main artery, Teşvikiye Caddesi, which prompts some locals to refer to that area as Teşvikiye. Nişantaşı is one of İstanbul’s major fashion hubs, especially Abdi İpekçi Caddesi, where Turkish and international designers can be found. LOKUM ISTANBUL ( % 0212-257 1052; www.lokumistanbul.com; Kuruçeşme Caddesi 19, Kuruçeşme; h 9am-8pm Mon Fri, from 10am Sat & Sun; g Kuruçeşme) Lokum (Turkish Delight) is elevated to the status of artwork at this boutique. Owner and creator Zeynep Keyman brings back the delights, flavours, knowledge and beauty of Ottoman-Turkish products, including colourful and chunky pomegranate and pistachio lokum (a small box for ₺ 65), akide candies (traditional boiled lollies), cologne water and scented candles. The gorgeous packaging makes these treats perfect gifts. GÖNÜL PAKSOY ( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; % 0212-236 0209; gonulpaksoy@gmail.com; Demet Apt 4a, Akkavak Sokak, Nişantaşı; h 10am-7pm Tue-Sat, from 1pm Mon; m Osmanbey) Paksoy creates and sells pieces that transcend fashion and step into art. Her work – distinctive handmade clothing using naturally dyed fabrics including silk, linen, cotton, cashmere, goat hair and wool, and often decorated with vintage beads – was once the subject of an exhibition at İstanbul’s Rezan Haş Gallery. She also creates and sells delicate silk and cotton knits and exquisite jewellery based on traditional Ottoman designs. CLOTHING FOOD