Istanbul scene moves to Amsterdam

Hürriyet Daily News

The Dream Design Factory has created and will be organizing four projects, highlighting Turkish design, fashion and tastes.

This year is the 400th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Netherlands and Turkey.

Ministries, local authorities and community organizations such as the Turkey Institute and the Dutch Center for International Cultural Activities (SICA) are making important contributions for the celebration.

The Dream Design Factory (dDf) has created and will be organizing four projects as part of the celebrations.

The “Istanbul Contrast” exhibition, which will be hosted by the Amsterdam Museum, is to open on April 18.

In Istanbul, there are a number of events celebrating the cultural alliance of the two countries, including the Van Gogh Alive and the Rembrandt exhibitions; in Amsterdam, meanwhile, the Amsterdam Museum is devoting an enticing exhibition to the Paris-based Turkish fashion house Dice Kayek.

Dresses inspired by spices, tastes

Coinciding with the 20th anniversary of the fashion house, which was founded by Ayşe and Ece Ege, Kayek’s “Istanbul Contrast” exhibition transcribes the city’s mix of modernity and tradition. Through translating the city’s life, each dress is inspired by spices, sweet delights, tastes, scents and the fascinating lights of the Bosphorus embracing the city at night. One feels in the rich lace embroidery the magical beauty of the winter garden at the Dolmabahçe Palace, while metallic embroidery suggests the Galata Bridge, a symbol of contrast that links the sumptuous Topkapı Palace and Hagia Sophia in the old city with modernity, luxury and opulence. In June, Amsterdam’s Designhuis will host a personal exhibition of the world-famous Turkish designer Aziz Sarıyer. The “Master of Design” project aims to enhance the recognition, as well as reputation, of Turkish design in the Netherlands.

The exhibition consists of projects selected from among pieces designed by Sarıyer between 1995 and 2012. Sarıyer was chosen for the exhibition because he is a Turkish designer listed among the top 100 designers worldwide and has put his signature to some of the most innovative and creative projects to promote Turkey in the best possible manner.

The designer will be taking part as a speaker in the conferences and debates as part of Dutch Design Week. The event aims to share and promote Turkish design and design culture while sharing the opinions of a Turkish design master on the European design industry and the design vision of the future. The third Project is called “Fashion Spirit,” which consists of three main activities. A fashion-design selection will be organized for fashion designers under the age of 40 in both countries. Out of the works of the 40 designers (20 Turkish, 20 Dutch), 40 fashion designs will be selected for exhibition. The top 10 products selected will be introduced to the fashion industry and the design industry through a fashion show that will take place as part of the project. The final project, called “Taste Istanbul,” is an international gourmet and entertainment festival open to everyone interested in exploring new tastes, including managers within the food and beverage and entertainment sector of the Dutch capital.

The other main of the project is to bring together Turkish and Dutch cuisine and to introduce Turkish and Dutch chefs to each other so that they can exchange knowledge.