Brands in Nişantaşı

Luxury department store

Beymen, flagship on Abdi İpekçi Street

Turkish heritage brand

Vakko, since 1934, known for silk scarves

Best value

Turkish fashion, leather and home brands

Widest luxury choice

Beymen, then İstinye Park and Zorlu Center

The two names to know in Nişantaşı (Nisantasi) are Beymen and Vakko. Beymen’s seven-floor flagship on Abdi İpekçi Street gathers international labels such as Prada, Fendi and Celine under one roof, and Vakko, founded in 1934, is Turkey’s best-known heritage fashion house, famous for its silk scarves. International luxury houses have street boutiques on Abdi İpekçi Street. For value, look at Turkish fashion, leather and homeware brands, which are usually cheaper here than comparable labels from abroad.

Which brands should I look for in Nişantaşı?

Beymen’s flagship and a Vakko store are in Nişantaşı itself. The other Turkish chains have shops in the neighbourhood and in the big malls nearby; branches open, close and move, so check a brand’s store finder before a special trip. No brand paid to be on this list.

Beymen: the luxury department store

Beymen opened its first store in Şişli in 1971 and its Nişantaşı flagship, a freestanding building of seven floors on Abdi İpekçi Street, in 2003. It sells its own collections alongside international labels such as Valentino, Balmain, Prada, Fendi, Celine and Balenciaga, so it is the quickest way to see many luxury brands in one visit. The terrace of Beymen Brasserie, in the same building, is the neighbourhood’s classic lunch spot. Beymen also has stores in İstinye Park and on Bağdat Avenue on the Asian side.

Vakko: silk scarves since 1934

Vakko began in 1934 as a hat shop in the old city, set up Turkey’s first silk-dyeing workshop a few years later, and became the country’s best-known fashion house. Its silk scarves, often printed with Istanbul or Ottoman motifs, are the classic gift. It also sells ready-to-wear, leather and homeware, and Vakko Patisserie sells chocolates that travel well. Besides its Nişantaşı store, Vakko has department stores in Zorlu Center and İstinye Park.

Where are the international luxury houses?

Abdi İpekçi Street is lined with the boutiques of international fashion and jewellery houses, including Louis Vuitton. Which houses have a street boutique changes over the years, and several now trade mainly from the malls, so check a brand’s own store locator. For the widest range of standalone luxury boutiques, combine Abdi İpekçi Street with İstinye Park or Zorlu Center.

What is worth buying in Turkey?

• Turkish fashion and denim: often cheaper than comparable European or American brands.
• Leather: jackets, bags and shoes. Check the stitching and lining and try things on.
• Silk scarves, from Vakko or the designer boutiques on the side streets.
• Home textiles and glassware: peştemal towels, bed linen and tea glasses are light and make good gifts.
• Gold jewellery: ask for an invoice and, for diamonds, a certificate.
• International luxury labels cost about the same as in Europe; the tax refund is what makes the difference. See tax-free shopping.

Prices in boutiques are fixed, sizes are European, and paying in lira is usually cheaper than letting the card terminal convert. For the streets, opening hours and the map, see shopping in Nişantaşı; for the best time to buy, see sales in Istanbul.

Frequently asked questions