Karine Laudort 
Last week, I was invited to the opening of the couture millinery brand Merve Bayindir’s flagship store in Marylebone. Located on Crawford Place, the new store reflects the luxury brand’s approach to design, innovation and sustainability. It was such a great opportunity to find out more about the brand and how the dynamic mother-daughter duo brought their vision to life.
Founded by Yasemin Bayindir and Merve Bayindir in 2011, the brand showcases their contemporary innovation of millinery whilst combining Merve’s lifelong passion for art and architecture. With many of their hats and headpieces being worn for occasions like the Royal Ascot and high-profile events, the eponymous luxury milliner is notably desired amongst a long list of VIPs and I am definitely not surprised that their work is so sought-after within that crowd.
At the event, I got the chance to speak with the founder, Merve Bayindir to find out more about the intricacies of being a luxury milliner and also had the opportunity to try on a few of the gorgeous headpieces which was a great touch!
Exploring contemporary innovation, the brand explores the debate between architecture and fashion and it was apparent that both are synergistic and have the most outstanding results. Breaking the norms of regular headpieces and hats, there was nothing that screamed “typical” lying around the store and that is one thing that excites me the most. Each piece was unique within itself; Not complying with the usual characteristics of typical fascinators and veils, this is one of the many reasons why I believe the millinery is so popular with royalty.
Merve Bayindir is stocked in Fenwick and on Net-a-porter and has been featured in titles such as British Vogue, Vogue Paris, Vogue Italia, Grazia UK, The Telegraph, Marie Claire Italia and many more.
Of course, an event wouldn’t be complete without a goody bag and the one that I received was the perfect accompaniment to the pleasant evening at the opening of the flagship store. It included a Pixi Glow tonic, a Scentology spray in “Orchard Fruits and Freesia”, a SoapDaze bar in “Lemongrass and patchouli”, Percy & Reed “Strong Hold Hairspray”, a L’occitane hand cream, a Goldfaden Md “Brightening Transforming Kit”, Kryotans “Digital complexion kit” and lip stain, a warming eye mask, “Starlet” perfume mist and a LoveRaw “Milk Choc bar.”
It was a great experience meeting the founder behind the luxury brand and visiting the new flagship store in Marylebone. If you are ever around the area, make sure to pop into the millinery and see their jaw-dropping designs for yourself.
Please note that if you want a one-to-one at the millinery, you will have to book an appointment.
Merve Bayindir Flagship Store
Address: 28 Crawford Pl, London W1H 5NJ
Phone Number: 020 7724 7878
Website: www.mervebayindir.com
