Photography Martina FerraraFashion / FeaturePunk and classicism collide at Les Benjamins AW16Entitled ‘Ottoman Punk’, the brand’s Milan debut saw a tattooed street cast joined by Sufi whirling dervishesShareLink copied ✔️January 18, 2016FashionFeaturePhotographyMartina FerraraTextSusanne MadsenLes Benjamins AW16 Right now, there’s a larger conversation in fashion about the crossover between cultures and a desire to promote togetherness and community through the things we wear. Since its inception in 2011, Istanbul-based Les Benjamins – headed up by Bunyamin Aydin who dropped out of university to found the brand – has worked around this idea, creating a mash-up of cultures with arresting digital prints and a name that reflects this philosophy: every language, nation or religion has its own version of the name Benjamin. For his Milan debut show, Aydin had extended his graphic jerseys into a “leisure wardrobe” shown on a tattooed street cast joined by Sufi whirling dervishes dancing in a quest for the source of perfection. Ottoman iconography was used across hoodies and kaftan-inspired silhouettes in a collision with sumptuous tapestry prints and faces from art and pop culture, like Salvador Dali with a Mohawk. Inspired by social movements throughout history, Aydin’s point of departure is desire to unite the East and the West – something that’s very much needed right now. Les Benjamins AW16Photography Martina FerraraEscape the algorithm! Get The DropEmail address SIGN UP Get must-see stories direct to your inbox every weekday. Privacy policy Thank you. You have been subscribed Privacy policy Expand your creative community and connect with 15,000 creatives from around the world.READ MOREMk.gee was the unlikely inspiration for Jonathan Anderson’s Dior showDior AW26 men’s: The highlights from Jonathan Anderson’s sophomore showTudor Rose: Henry VIII is Martine Rose’s AW26 muse Harry Styles is back: Revisiting the internet-breaking Dazed cover shootLouis Vuitton AW26 men’s: Pharrell serves Sherlock Hypebeast-HolmesLexee Smith is dancing (and living) like no one is watchingDavid Lynch meets Real Housewives in OPIA’s latest fashion shootWales Bonner’s new collection is cut from the cloth of Indian cultureFashion’s Italian ‘Emperor’ Valentino Garavani has died Miuccia and Raf flipped the familiar at Prada AW26 men’s Dsquared2Dsquared2 turns up the Heated Rivalry at Milan Fashion WeekRick Owens and Juergen Teller make out for MonclerEscape the algorithm! Get The DropEmail address SIGN UP Get must-see stories direct to your inbox every weekday. Privacy policy Thank you. You have been subscribed Privacy policy