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 MORE080 Barcelona Fashion7 names to know from 080 Barcelona Fashion WeekOakley Going ‘field mode’ with Kellyn Wilson PolaroidThree Dazed Clubbers on documenting a complete digital detoxOakley Going ‘field mode’ with Emi MatsushimaZara Larsson: ‘The second I come home, all my clothes come off’Designer Sofía Abadi is creating a hyper-femme world Oakley What Went Down at Oakley’s Field Gear Line Collection launch When exactly did the Coachella aesthetic become so soulless?The same, but different: All the celeb style from Coachella weekend twoMoncler is coming for summer with its line of little puffs Nike Nike’s ‘wild card’ Team Kits are already in actionThis Dutch designer’s ‘gay fantasy’ is full of farmers, pirates and sailorsEscape 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