Silk Turkish-style scarves enter world fashion

Clearly, the type of clothing referred to as “unisex” has changed form recently. Sequined shirts paired with pants have continued as a trend, with men filching styles from women’s clothing and women doing the same with men’s clothing. But we women have been more successful at this business. First we stole pants right out of men’s hands, and then classic jackets, suits and even ties. In fact, we didn’t even refrain from borrowing their giant wristwatches and shoe styles. For us women, it was a change, getting to wear these styles of clothing and accessories that for so long had been seen as belonging to men.

In return, we lent men’s clothing some of our details: chiffon, embroidery, T-shirts decorated with beads and other menswear made from textiles normally associated with women’s clothing. But we didn’t let them have any more than this. And, at the top of the list of the accessories we never let get away from us was scarves. While some people see the scarf as just an accessory, others see it as the most important piece of an outfit. One thing is definite though: Scarves occupy, for most women, a unique position in their wardrobes. They are like a magical wand in terms of their ability to alter an entire outfit in one moment. And some of the world’s greatest fashion designers, realizing this potential, are using their fashion shows to highlight the scarf.

A truly skilled sector

Scarf design and production take a great amount of skill to be pulled off successfully and, in this sense, resemble the design and production of watches, glasses, shoes and jewelry. The fact that most collections of scarves tend to use 100 percent silk in the production of these accessories highlights the care that is needed. One brand that is a world leader in this sector is Aker. Aker comes to consumers with four different labels, all under the larger umbrella label of Foulard Co.

The company, which made a deal with Cacharel -- a brand known world-wide for its quality and its leading styles -- gives customers a chance to buy scarves that normally sell for hundreds of dollars for much more reasonable prices. Those who follow scarf fashions closely know that world-famous scarf brands sell for an average of between $600 and 1,300 apiece. During this period when imitation scarves are selling like wildfire due to the expensive prices of well-known brands, original Cacharel scarves are actually available for reasonable prices. This season the Cacharel collection, put together by an Italian designer, features tiny flowers, fresh designs and color tones that overlap harmoniously with current fashion palettes. The fact that these scarves are comfortable to wear and use, and that they have been produced using special textile technology, also increases their appeal.

Another world-famous scarf label under the roof of Foulard Co is Pierre Cardin, which has been around for years, but is still a leader in the fashion world. With their unique colors and designs, Pierre Cardin scarves combine French elegance with the nobility of the Turkish people. The designs, which feature both the classic dimension of Pierre Cardin, as well as a dimension that gives itself up to new fashion trends each season, attract more and more customers to this brand every year. The geometric designs on these scarves are sometimes stylized with soft colors and sometimes a reflection of the speed of city life. And the scarves featuring flowery designs this season depend on an extremely elegant set of lines. These are scarves that make you feel as though you are looking at a fresh field of flowers with their bright liveliness; and, what’s more, there are absolutely no harmful chemicals used in the production of these scarves. The designs here are so rich that the only problem is trying to decide which scarf you like the most. Once you settle on a style you are looking for, there is no question that you will find it. There are scarves to please all age groups in this collection. Also, the use of both silk and twill in these elegant creations makes them even more attractive, as do the modern designs and chic use of colors. Stoles and foulards sport colors in this collection that will add flair to any outfit. A mono-colored dress, or even the most severe women’s suit, can be immediately transformed by one of these beautifully designed scarves.

While differences among scarf models and brands are generally defined by size and designs, the Aker label of scarves is making waves with its production of silk scarves that, for the first time ever, are both waterproof and stain resistant. One of the most long-standing complaints heard from women when it comes to scarves -- that their shape is altered when they get wet -- no longer stands with these new Aker scarves. Though some people ask just how it is that an Aker water resistant scarf can be washed, since the material is waterproof, the answer from Aker is quite clear: “Yes, these scarves are waterproof, but you can wash them without any worry. Our silk will lose nothing from its special ability to ‘breathe’ during the washing process.”

Like a precious jewel

A brand new Aker collection has been prepared for those who want to take a stand against the gray-toned crowds that this city can sometimes seem to be overrun with. This is the perfect collection for those who always want to experience the special elegance of being a woman, even among all the world’s tumult and chaos. Scarves, with their designs and colors, and even their wonderful lavender smells, continue to be a symbol of elegance and dignity. These are designs in which the unique dynamism of nature meets up with lines that are marked by their innovation and originality. The main theme of this season’s Aker collection is the emotion of renewal. Traces from the mystic world of the Far East, stylized African designs, baroque figures and traditional prints all work together to bring out a neo-classic collection from Aker.

These new Aker scarves call out to city women and women who love to renew their look. With nearly 1,000 designs and colors in scarves, Aker is a leader not only in Turkey, but in scarf fashion across the world. These are scarves that reflect the personality of the wearer, so varied are their designs. Silk scarves are, of course, not made using any precious metals, but they are produced using the world’s most precious textile -- silk -- and thus they really are like jewels in their own right.

Foulard Co. really underscores its appeal to the younger generations of scarf-loving women with its Arancia collection. Meaning “orange” in Italian, the Arancia collection of scarves is distinguished by extreme ease-of-use, energetic designs and, of course, the wonderful orangey aroma given off by each scarf. What’s more, the Arancia scarves can be washed in a normal washing machine, leaving behind the days when the label “dry clean only” was so common.