Istanbul is a city that never stops its rhythm and dissolves chaos and order in the same pot. To exist here means to open a space for yourself, to be able to be included in its flow without getting caught in its waves. For some, it is the unpredictability of its streets, for others the stories behind its walls, and for others the state of being alone even in a crowd. Being creative means assimilating the lawless energy of this city and creating its own language.
Recording Istanbul records the names that understand this language, find their own rhythm and feed on the infinite possibilities offered by Istanbul.
Finding yourself in this city means accepting to get lost a little bit. They recorded, we listen.

Istanbul draws its breath from its creators, and Bengi Apak is one of its loudest voices. Her world is a reality unafraid to unfold, free from plastic facades and contrived mysteries. In her realm, clarity triumphs over chaos, and culture rises above fleeting trends. Bengi approaches creativity with a firm stance: “I’m not interested in extremes. For me, it’s crucial that everything I write and create is light and understandable.” She doesn’t linger in the tension of scaling the wall built by her doubts; instead, she turns her back to it, basking in its shadow. Let life throw as many bricks as it wants—Bengi’s palace of thought remains unshaken.

Recording Istanbul___ is making another recording. This time we are turning our lens towards Bengi Apak’s Istanbul; towards a universe where clarity steers creativity, challenges turn into confidence and self-awareness is the biggest source of inspiration. We’re not sure if the path leads to anywhere, but we are definitely on our way.

Take us to your world! What are the core values that make you who you are?

Now! My world is a very straightforward place. I’ve always avoided plastic, forced mystery. I have nothing to do with extremes. It is very important for me that everything I create is understandable and light. I am traditional in terms of basic value judgements. I believe in family upbringing, I find love optional and respect essential.

What does it mean for Bengi to be ‘unique’?

I am a self-sacrificing person. When necessary, I can stretch and mould myself by looking out for the people I care about. As I grew up, I started to do this for myself as well. I no longer make what goes on in my mind a cause of anxiety. What makes me unique is that I made peace with my mental palace, took it seriously and finally utilised it freely.

How does being in the digital world affect you creatively, do you care what people think?

My mobile phone is always on. I care too much about people’s thoughts. Each of us has become eager for a certain amount of interaction at the last point of the digital world. Our catalyst has always been to be liked and the digital world has made it very accessible and easy. Being open to comments used to be a horrible thing for me, but at this point I don’t make a big deal out of it. I take the positive and the negative in the same range and don’t get too caught up in it.

What did your work make you discover about yourself?

If I hadn’t started this job, I wouldn’t have found anything I wrote at home sufficient, and I would have ended up not being able to create anything for the sake of creating the perfect, and not being able to exist because of myself. Half consciously, half by fate, I embarked on such a dynamic path. I realised myself despite myself. I am grateful to every detail of my path.

A confession about creativity.

It’s not as magical as it’s portrayed.

“Style has no meaning without a story. Style is actually an expression of you and your experiences. A style that is not shaped by your own story is just an image.”

-Bengi Apak

In conversation with Sude Belkıs

Editor ın Chief Duygu Bengi

Art Direction by Yağız Yeşilkaya

Videography by Umutcan Öncü, Melike Duman

Edited by Melike Duman

Fashiıon Editors Birce Naz Köş, Murat Şentürk

Interview by Tunga Yankı Tan

Hair Team Enes Sakızcı, Yiğithan Yılmaz

Make Up by Melisa Deniz Aslanboğa

Make up Assistant Zeynep Naz Akoğlan

FashionAssistantants Melek Kaya, Zeynep Naz Gümrükçü

BENGİ APAK