WE BET YOU WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT ‘TURKISH PUNK’, THE INSPO BEHIND ‘LES BENJAMINS’ FW24 COLLECTION.

In conversation with Bünyamin Aydin, founder * creative director of Les Benjamins.

October 14, 2024

For Fall 2024, Les Benjamins, led by the visionary Bünyamin Aydin, is set to take fashion on a daring adventure through Eastern narratives with a striking campaign shot in London. This collection, titled Eastern Punk, dives deep into the roots of Turkish punk, blending rich heritage with modern silhouettes while paying tribute to the legendary Tünay Akdeniz, the maestro of Turkey’s 1970s punk scene.

Eastern Punk masterfully mixes history and rebellion, intertwining the intricate tapestry of Turkish culture with the raw spirit of punk. Drawing from ornate patterns and age-old tales, it infuses these elements with the vibrant energy that defines punk’s essence. Here at BURO, we’re all about celebrating the unique and the extraordinary, so naturally, we were intrigued to dive deeper into this inspiration. Just as it sparked creativity in the director, it ignited a fire in us, too! Let’s unravel this bold fusion together!

YOU’RE KNOWN FOR BLENDING CULTURES IN YOUR DESIGNS. IF YOU COULD HAVE ANY HISTORICAL FIGURE AS A MUSE FOR THIS COLLECTION, WHO WOULD IT BE AND WHY?

Tünay Akdeniz would be my muse for this collection. He was a pioneering figure in Turkish punk, and his rebellious spirit, along with bands like Headbangers and Hong Kong Virus, perfectly embodied the attitudes that inspired the Eastern Punk collection. His music and defiance against the norm laid the groundwork for punk in Turkey, and merging his legacy with Western punk and Far Eastern contemporary movements creates a cultural fusion that speaks to this collection.

WHAT’S THE MOST UNEXPECTED ITEM OR INSPIRATION THAT MADE ITS WAY ONTO YOUR MOOD BOARD FOR FW24?

Anatolian tablecloth-inspired patterns. Daily life in Anatolia deeply influences me, and I wanted to juxtapose these traditional Eastern elements with Western punk. It reflects the essence of what I do, bringing Eastern warmth to Western stories. It’s both warm and cold, East and West, in harmony.

IF THE EASTERN PUNK COLLECTION WERE A SUPERHERO, WHAT WOULD ITS SUPERPOWER BE, AND WHAT WOULD ITS THEME SONG BE?

The superhero’s superpower would be time travel, taking everyone back to the early days of punk and psychedelic rock in Turkey. The theme song would be an energetic fusion of Turkish rock and punk, embodying that synthesis of East and West.

IF YOU COULD SEND ONE PIECE FROM THIS COLLECTION BACK IN TIME TO A FAMOUS PUNK CONCERT, WHICH PIECE WOULD YOU CHOOSE AND WHO WOULD BE IN THE FRONT ROW?

The denim crystallized carpet look with rhinestones. It’s the ultimate fusion of punk and tradition, and I can imagine a punk legend like Iggy Pop wearing it at a massive concert, with an eclectic crowd in the front row, all appreciating the blend of cultural influences.

IF YOU HAD TO SUM UP THE ESSENCE OF THIS COLLECTION IN A CATCHY SLOGAN OR HASHTAG, WHAT WOULD IT BE

#PunkYourRoots

IF YOU COULD HAVE ANY CELEBRITY MODEL THIS COLLECTION, WHO WOULD IT BE, AND WHAT KIND OF SETTING WOULD YOU ENVISION FOR THE PHOTOSHOOT?

Iggy Pop in a traditional Turkish carpet dealer’s store, surrounded by vibrant, intricate rugs. The contrast between his punk energy and the rich cultural backdrop would embody the collection’s fusion of East and West.

IF THE EASTERN PUNK COLLECTION HAD A REBELLIOUS ALTER EGO, WHAT WOULD IT LOOK LIKE, AND HOW WOULD IT WALK DOWN THE RUNWAY?

A nomad traveler, wearing oversized, layered garments with bold Eastern patterns. Walking peacefully down the runway, spreading love and embracing diversity, this alter ego would represent unity through rebellion.

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