Designers and artists come to Istanbul’s Tomtom Street

ISTANBUL

Tomtom, in one of Istanbul’s most distinct neighborhoods with its unique style, will be transformed into a festival hub with the colorful and rich world of design from Oct. 19 to 22.

The third edition of the “Design on Tomtom Street” event will be a combination of arts, design, music and shopping.

Organized with the theme “Watch Yourself,” the event will take various aspects of design to the streets with 100 designers, 50 artists, 50 speakers and five venues.

“Design on Tomtom Street” made its debut in October 2016, and the great interest it received led to the decision to make it a biannual event to enhance and promote the creative atmosphere of the Tomtom neighborhood.

Initiated by Tomtom Design Management Executive Board members Hakan Kodal, Bahar Korçan, Serra Arıkök and Ayşegül Temel, “Design on Tomtom Street” is supported by Troy, Turkey’s Payment System, as a main sponsor this season.

During the event, the Registered Trademarks Association will present the Design Awards. Following the second edition in May 2017, the third edition will also feature a rich program filled with exhibitions and installations, talks and workshops and live performances to inspire the design world in the Tomtom neighborhood.

Bahar Korçan, the creative director of “Design on Tomtom Street,” explained this edition’s theme “Watch Yourself” as an invitation for participants to look inside and return to the basics, and summarized the concept as, “mirroring your emotions and observing yourself.”

Over 100 brands, designers

The event that places the design world with its innovations and novelties at the center of creativity in the Tomtom neighborhood will host over 100 brands and designers from several sectors including fashion, accessories, jewelry, furniture, ceramics, graphic design, textiles, lighting and technology.

H&M, which collaborated with Kenzo last year, has chosen Erdem for this year’s designer collaboration, and the retailer will host the Turkey launch of this partnership in the Tomtom neighborhood.

PUPA, a Premium Reseller of Apple, will promote the brand’s pioneering designs in a setting that blends the historic texture of Tomtom Kaptan Street with technology.

Tomtom Trend Area, created in Tomtom Garage, will feature a Tomtom Selection consisting of designs by leading designers including Arzu Kaprol, Mehtap Elaidi and Özgür Masur, as well as young fashion designers.

“Design on Tomtom Street” will be opened by Beyoğlu Mayor Ahmet Misbah Demircan and the organization committee on Oct. 19, and Açık Radyo will broadcast special shows throughout the event. The program will feature a different evening event on each of the three nights.

The visitors will be invited to post their videos and photos with the event theme “Watch Yourself” in the four days,
and two people with the best video and photo posts will win a return ticket to Milan Design Week.

“Design on Tomtom Street” will also host exclusive food and beverage brands in various stands and locations with Gourmet Flavors on Tomtom Street where they will serve special flavors.

In addition to the event venue, prominent buildings in the Tomtom neighborhood will be home to installations and art projects.

Audi will provide shuttle services from certain locations across the city to the Tomtom neighborhood. And Lamborghini will exhibit a design car during the event, blending the historic texture of Tomtom neighborhood with modern design.