Rifat Özbek’s Cushion Paradise in Istanbul

Birgit von Heintze — Wed, 07 Oct 2015 08:26:25 +0000

What: Yastik by Rifat Özbek, Shop
Where: Istanbul, Turkey

Rıfat Özbek was born in Istanbul, studied architecture in London, then moved on to study fashion at Central St Martins. In 1985 he started his own fashion line ‘ÖZBEK’ based in London

In 2005, Turkish fashion designer Rifat Özbek was looking for cushions to decorate his country home near Bodrum. Discouraged by the scratchy textiles and synthetic stuffing pervading the home décor marketplace, Özbek and his partner, Erdal Karaman, decided to design their own pillows, an endeavour that led to the launch of Yastik – Its name means ‘cushion’ in Turkish. Now, ten years later, Özbek has shops dedicated solely to cushions in Istanbul, Izmir and London, as well as retail spaces in exclusive department stores such as the ‘Bon Marché’ in Paris.

Rifat Özbek received twice the “Designer of the Year” award by The British Fashion Council. His work has been featured in many exhibitions including the Victoria & Albert Museum, the Pecci Museum in Prato and the Stedeligk Museum in Amsterdam. This pic shows the shop in Istanbul

What sets Özbek’s designs apart: incredible textiles, rich and intricate patterns, and high-quality down stuffing, which includes dried lavender. Özbek’s attention to detail contributes to his unique vision and steady success. While the back of a cushion might be overlooked by others, Özbek treats the back panel as of equal importance. In fact, the designer intends for both sides of the cushion to be used, and the ‘backs’ often feature contrasting patterns or colors. “Just like a small brooch can uplift a dress, cushions are the brooches of sofas”, says Özbek.

“Yastik means cushion in Turkish, and that is quite simply all we sell”, explains Rifat Özbek. For starters, there are one hundred different colors and patterns to choose from

Yastik stores, including one in Istanbul’s Nişantaşi neighbourhood, are an experience all their own, with dozens of varieties of cushions displayed against stark white walls, creating a gallery effect. At any given time, Özbek stocks more than 100 patterns, drawing inspiration from everywhere: the Majorelle Garden in Marrakech, tribal contemporary paintings, and centuries-old mosaics and tiles.

The pillows come in three sizes, in both rectangular and square shapes, and range in price from 60 €

Each cushion design is produced in limited runs. “You don’t want to go to someone’s home and realize you have the same cushion,” he says. “We keep adding new patterns all the time, and there are some cushions, like those made from vintage fabrics like antique velvet, that we only make a single pair of.” BvH

“Cushions are like brooches”

Yastik cushions are produced in limited editions using hand woven Ikats and Suzeni embroideries

Sourced in remote areas of Central Asia and Uzbekistan, these centuries’ old textile designs have their own language and stories are told using colour, weave and pattern

To add the ultimate sensual touch:

A handful of lavender flowers is added to the luxurious down filling in each cushion: “Just enough to suggest a sense of tranquillity.”

A handful of lavender flowers

Patterns and motifs change. It always come back to new designs

Yastik has gathered an exclusive celebrity clientele: Tilda Swinton, Donna Karan, Jemima Khan, Rupert Everett, Femke Janssen, Cindy Sherman, Daphne Guinness, Daniel Craig, Aerin Lauder, Monica Bellucci, Elizabeth Hurley, Lily Allen, Graham Norton

Contact:

Şakayık Sokak 13/1
Teşvikiye, Şişli
İstanbul,Turkey
www.yastikbyrifatozbek.com

The post Rifat Özbek’s Cushion Paradise in Istanbul appeared first on My Stylery.

Cool: Schacky Fashion-Shoot over Berlin

Birgit von Heintze — Thu, 27 Aug 2015 06:14:03 +0000

What: Fashion-Shoot
Where: Berlin – Mitte

Model Corinna in a piped leather top and stretch leather pants. Designer Claudia von Schacky (left) checks if everything is put into perspective

I can’t believe it – and don’t really want to, but summer is now coming to an end. There’s nothing we can do about it – we need to slowly adapt to the cooler season and thus mentally prepare for parkas and boots.

The photo-shoot over the rooftops of Berlin. What a cool location – unfortunately with grey clouds. Will they disappear?

Here the fashion designers are off better. At least conceptually, they are ahead the season occupationally. Whilst we now consider, in which piece we invest for the coming autumn, the creative fashion people think about the latest trends, which we then wear in the following year. Just now, the Munich fashion designer Claudia von Schacky has photographed her new spring collection in Germany’s capital. MyStylery was there, too, over the rooftops of Berlin, and shows you where the specialist sees the finest stretch leather in spring and summer 2016.

Stylist Odessa plucks a bit on the trouser leg, while Model Corinna gets into position wearing my absolute favorite Flared pants with matching, embroidered jacket

The – in my opinion – best news first: The so-called Flared cut remains. I looove the 70s look, and thus also the flared pants. And what looks nobler than razor-thin goatskin pants with flip? In her spring-summer collection 2016, Claudia von Schacky prefers casual cuts and oversized silhouettes. Perfect, because who wants to wear skintight clothes at warm temperatures.

At last the sun comes out. Perfect lighting conditions, which are immediately used by photographer Wiebke Bosse and her team

Who loves their dungarees this year, perhaps invests in bib-leather pants in one of the most promising Schacky colors: Moon, Ocean, Tabac and as a splash of color, a Cherry Red. And for the cool summer evening, fur expert Schacky offers feather-light summer-fur. Fluffy summer-fur. A breath of nothing that still warms. Yes, is that possible? BvH

Quite windy up here: Hold tight on everything, is the motto. And Model Corinna has to ‘think away’ her goosebumps

Spring Summer 2016 may come!

Selected parts from the Schacky collection Spring Summer 2016 for the shoot. Until everything is in the box, a whole day passes

Ops, better check twice: Luxury Designer Claudia von Schacky with Model Corinna and Stylist Odessa

Photo-shoot over the roofs of Berlin

Over the roofs of Berlin

Sexy in leather crop top: Thereto Corinna wears a tobacco-colored gilet, which is a reinterpretation of the classic trench coat. Available from November!