PACING UP IN YOUR OWN ROUTE
Perceiving life as a road brings along sweet dreams, as well as a course that needs to be set, a co-pilot seat that needs to be filled, and a rhythm that we need to catch. Racing culture can be one of the greatest inspirations when trying to find our own way in life, establishing the sensitive balance between being alone, setting our own course and acting together, accepting help. Bünyamin Aydın, the founder and creative director of the brand, says that what distinguishes Les Benjamins Forgotten Pacenotes collection from others is to experience the past and the present at the same time. The iconic racer of the Turkish rally scene and one of Aydın’s inspirations for this collection, Serkan Bostancı thinks that this collection allows us to both look at the forgotten and see the future.
Setting their own courses with their original styles, Ece Sükan, Kerem Kaya, Ozan Dolunay, Irmak Altıner and Aybüke Albere are helping us to answer our questions about the flow of time!
ECE SÜKAN
Everyone chooses their own rhythm to create and experience their own reality. – Ece Sükan
Setting a course and hitting the road or going with the flow?
I mostly go with the flow… Of course, there are always places I want to go, and I try to go there as much as possible, but my trips are usually not so planned. There are also a lot of trips I went on as a last-minute decision. I’m usually about improvising life with its pros and cons.
Are you a fast starter or a dark horse?
I usually start fast and stay fast.
Is there a road trip necessity for you? Something you would not leave the house without?
I’m not leaving without one of my analogue cameras.
What does ”finding the rhythm of life” mean to you?
The rhythm of life is actually a rhythm that everyone brings to this world with their own essence, self and spirit. Everyone chooses their own rhythm to create and experience their own reality. I think the most important thing here is to know how to be in touch with your inner voice, listen to it and not be afraid to be brave and take risks. What is valuable at the end of the day is to be able to do justice to life itself, to embrace the richness of a well-experienced soul.
What is going on for Ece Sükan at a time when the time itself is moving at the speed of light?
Even though we have collectively perceived that time is moving faster, I am not so impatient anymore. Lately, I’m all about the universal perfect timing. If something is meant to be, it will be. And it’s incredibly comforting.
How do you define being original?
I think being original means being able to express your voice freely and reflect it in every area of your life by staying in touch with your own inner voice, in a system that tries to put everyone in a box.
Who is the co-pilot of your life?
My mom is always my superhero co-pilot!
OZAN DOLUNAY
Life has its own rhythm, it’s a fact. I think catching the rhythm of life is about being open and accepting everything that comes your way. – Ozan Dolunay
Setting a course and hitting the road or going with the flow?
It is more reasonable, safer to set a course and then hit the road. But it’s always more fun to not follow the route and get caught up in the flow after you set off. So I’ll just say going with the flow. After all, life is not a road that can be predicted. It is impossible for us to know what we will encounter and where it will take us… So, it is logical to be in the flow but still have a plan, albeit a small one.
Are you a fast starter or a dark horse?
I’m a dark horse. I like to observe the environment first. I prefer to adapt first and then show my capabilities.
What does ”finding the rhythm of life” mean to you?
Life has its own rhythm, it’s a fact. Things you expect from life may come your way when you least expect it, or you may have to wait a long time for something you think are ready for. I think catching the rhythm of life is about being open and accepting everything that comes your way.
How do you define being original?
I don’t think that it is something you try to be. A person may instinctively want to not stand out, to be similar to everyone else. Because it is safer. Staying in the pack and being inconspicuous stems from the desire to be accepted. And this is an important part of being human. To be original is to be able to express your feelings and thoughts in your own ways. It requires courage and is much more difficult. It influences the clothes you wear, the things you say, the way you produce, the way you perceive life and it is innovative. And at that point, we see what we call “style.” I think a person needs both. Sometimes we may feel the need to stay in a safe space for our own mental health and be like everyone else, but it is clear that an existence that is never original will add nothing to the world. I personally believe that there should be unique denominators that reflect “me” at every point of my life. A person should be able to express themselves and not be afraid to do so.
Who is the co-pilot of your life?
The 3 beautiful women in my life; my girlfriend, my sister and my mom. I like to consult them on every decision I make. I care about their opinions. I think that different perspectives, different approaches, reduce the chances of making mistakes. Of course, I make the final decision, but them being by my side and seeing that they support me not only mentally but also morally makes me stronger.
Discovering new roads? Or driving safely on a familiar road? How has life been going for you lately?
Discovering new paths is always more fun, more productive. That’s what I believe. Of course, I sometimes prefer familiar roads but I do this to regain the energy I need to explore new ones. I live to be innovative, to add something new to my society, so I always try to discover new things.
KEREM KAYA
For me, being original is the same as being objective. – Kerem Kaya
Setting a course and hitting the road or going with the flow?
Setting the course and then letting myself go with the flow has always made me feel safer.
Are you a fast starter or a dark horse?
The answer to this depends a lot on the length of the race. If it is short, I can sacrifice everything in an instance, if it is long, I prefer to just breathe and think.
What does ”finding the rhythm of life” mean to you?
I think the rhythm of life is actually about understanding how beautifully the whole set of events that we call ‘positive’ and ‘negative’ complement each other.
How do you define being original?
For me, being original is the same as being objective. I think that the idiosyncratic expression will come out when I am objective enough to set my own rules.
Who is the co-pilot of your life?
All my friends in my close circle with whom I act in a completely collective consciousness. I can say that we all play the same role for each other.
Do you think about your next step or are you stuck in the past?
These are the two separate elements that form a single body.
Watching the road or closing your eyes?
Watching the road. Always.
IRMAK ALTINER
Time is an illusion. -Irmak Altıner
Setting a course and hitting the road or going with the flow?
Going with the flow on the course you have set.
Are you a fast starter or a dark horse?
Starting fast and attacking at the last moment.
What does ”finding the rhythm of life” mean to you?
To be in the moment. To suddenly leave everything and meet your lover in the middle of a busy day. To be able to play a game with a friend while handling a crisis.
How do you define being original?
Being original means creating a unique formula that only you know the recipe for, with ingredients such as ideas, feelings, production and life. Being original is the most luxurious privilege that a person can offer to themselves. And it is priceless.
Discovering new roads? Or driving safely on a familiar road?
“A CHALLENGE FOR THOSE WHO GO. A DREAM FOR THOSE WHO STAY BEHIND.” Thierry Sabine on Dakar Rally.
How has life been going for you lately?
In between two shoots, I went to a farm in the middle of the forest. I’m like a Dakar driver who is lost in the desert between the start and finish.
Following the rule book or writing the book of your own?
My own.
If you were to travel through time, when would you like to go?
Time is an illusion.
AYBÜKE ALBERE
I think I’m going without a co-pilot, without listening to anyone… – Aybüke Albere
Setting a course and hitting the road or going with the flow?
Setting a course and hitting the road, then letting yourself go with the flow.
Are you a fast starter or a dark horse?
There was a time when I felt bad because I couldn’t start fast, and then I realized that everything was at its own pace, and I was super relieved. If we were to talk about the recent period, I’d say that I am a dark horse.
What does ”finding the rhythm of life” mean to you?
To be completely in the flow and to be in harmony, acceptance and love with everything that comes and goes. Like a river! Harmonious and affluent.
How do you define being original?
I think being original is to ignore all learned and taught wrongs and realize “yourself”. It is very difficult to do in this geography, so everyone who is original inspires me.
Who is the co-pilot of your life?
I think I’m going without a co-pilot, without listening to anyone, but I have airbags that make me brave and safe. First of all, my mother, then my colleagues.
Discovering new roads? Or driving safely on a familiar road?
Safely driving on the same road will get you back to where you started, new roads are always great! Of course, it’s always hard to get out of your comfort zone, but once you get out, everything is different and very exciting. Thinking about the endless possibilities in life motivates me, connects me to life and gives me energy.
How has life been going for you lately?
It’s so active, even I have a hard time keeping a track of myself. I flow and adapt. I feel free right now, I want to see what I can do and my potential.
Competing with yourself or competing with others?
Of course, competing with myself. It’s always been and always will be like this.