"The energy of Istanbul is so beautiful. Every time I come here, I feel completely at home," says JJ Martin, founder of La DoubleJ, who recently visited the city to celebrate the opening of the brand's first store in Türkiye.
I've always been drawn to people who pour their own stories, spirit and energy into everything they create and to the brands that naturally grow out of that authenticity. A few days ago, I found myself at exactly that kind of gathering.
The invitation itself felt almost magical. Each guest received a romantic La DoubleJ dress to wear exclusively for the event before returning it afterward. It was a simple yet thoughtful gesture, hinting that, for a few hours at least, we would step into the colorful, exuberant world the brand has carefully built.
Wearing our temporary dresses, around 20 guests – including writers, newspaper and magazine editors, fashion entrepreneurs and digital creators – gathered at The Peninsula Istanbul. The brunch took place in the hotel's private rooftop garden, a secluded space reserved for intimate events and special occasions.
Bathed in the warmth of an Istanbul afternoon, we arrived wrapped in La DoubleJ's signature prints and vibrant colors. It was a fitting introduction to a brand that recently opened its first Turkish boutique at Galataport – a space as joyful, energetic and unapologetically colorful as the collections themselves.
