A Different Neighbourhood

One of my regular walks traverses the garment district: men off-loading quantities of fashion items;

shops selling textiles wholesale;

highly decorative findings - reels of rhinestones

 and lace.

Then there are the garments themselves. Turkish fashion is quite particular. The dramatic juxtaposition of shops selling both traditional garb;

right next to red carpet Hollywood glamour with see-through net panels edged with extravagant beading;

 swirls of fabric blossoms on multi-length gowns enhanced with gold lace;

 elaborate embroidery;

and this, my favourite, a delicious mermaid style lime green overlaid with gold netting and a Poiret-style wig-like headdress of gold beads;

is all a bit unnerving. The fashion shown in the shop windows is endlessly inventive, available in extra-large

 as seen on plus-sized mannequins;

 

And the shop names are simply astonishing combinations of Italian, French or English sounding words -this being the most recognizable name:

The Turkish flag is being flown for a holiday known as Children's Day.