Last week I was invited as the guest of V2K Designers, an amazing boutique in Istanbul, to attend a fashion event in their fair city. I arrived on a tuesday, and was collected in the most amazing english taxi I have ever seen.  The car was the first vehicle ever owned by the late Vitali Hakko, the man who is responsible for high fashion in Istanbul.  Vitali opened Vakko, a high end label chain of stores in and around the city.  V2K Designers is their more youthful,  high end shop carrying fab fashion labels from around the globe. His son Cem now runs the show, and what a fine show it is. If anyone ever yearns for the days of old, when people ran their businesses with great respect to their history, and respect for all of their business relationships, these guys have it down pat!

After I was collected in my burgundy chariot, one of V2k's PR girls took me on a tour of the city.  Spending four hours giving me the dish on the tale of their fashion empire, and the tale of the city that blew my mind.  First, the city of Istanbul sits on two continents... Europe and Asia. There is a gorgeous body of water that lie between the two, called the Bosphorous.  This baby looks good by day, but as the sun drops behind the city, the real magic happens.

The next day I was busy with work until it was time for the party.  Now, I live in Los Angeles, so a good party is no news to me... but these people put me to shame.  The Turkish can make a serious party, and when they start, they don't stop.  I won't go into detail how I felt the next day, let's just say I couldn't keep up.  What is important is how on point these ladies and gentlemen were in terms of style and ambiance.  Upon the walls hung black and white images of some of fashions greats, and some hand selected lesser-knowns.  Vivienne Westwood, Karl Lagerfeld, Erin Fetherston, Rick Owens, and little old me, among others.  I felt humbled and honored to be hanging in such fine company. The crowd was amazing. There were the turkish versions of Spike Jones, Cameron Silver, and Lisa Eisner. Hot babes were wearing Jesse Kamm. Beautiful women were pouring glorious drinks behind the bar, and band Eight Legs from London had the crowd bouncing.  I highly recommend a visit to Istanbul, stay tuned for part 2. V2K rules!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!