Showing posts with label Sakina Iskender. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sakina Iskender. Show all posts

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

TAKE 5 BOUTIQUE MOVES OUT OF BETHESDA TO MOSAIC DISTRICT (PHOTOS)


EXCLUSIVE

The latest business to flee Montgomery County for business-friendly Northern Virginia was one of Bethesda's most unique: Take 5 Boutique on Fairmont Avenue. The boutique - which only opened a year ago - had exclusive lines from international designers not available anywhere else. Sakina Iskender, the designer and co-founder of the shop, had also hinted that she planned to launch her own fashion label out of the Bethesda location.

Alas, it won't happen here. Take 5 has cleared out of 4920 Fairmont Avenue, and decamped to 2905 District Avenue, Suite 125, in Fairfax. Both areas are havens of new urbanism, but it is less costly to operate a business in Fairfax than in Bethesda.

Monday, November 19, 2012

TAKE 5 BOUTIQUE GRAND OPENING EXCLUSIVE VIDEO!

Finally, as promised:

Exclusive video from the biggest Bethesda fashion event of 2012:  the grand opening of Take 5 Boutique on Fairmont Avenue!

Sunday, November 11, 2012

TAKE 5 BOUTIQUE GRAND OPENING (PHOTOS)

Last night's grand opening of Take 5 Boutique was arguably the biggest Bethesda fashion event of 2012.  That's because, as I mentioned in my first article on it a few months back, it will be a truly unique fashion destination in the DC area.  While many boutiques are chains or consignment shops, and end up carrying the same pieces you could buy down the street, Take 5 will be the exclusive source of international fashion lines you literally won't find anywhere else.

Guests at the opening witnessed a dream Sakina and Mahir Iskender hatched at an Istanbul cafe become reality in America, on Fairmont Avenue.  Entering on a red carpet, attendees got the first preview of what's to come on the racks.  The space itself has been transformed into a posh showroom, but the redesign does not overwhelm the pieces on display.  And rather than rack after rack of the same old apparel, a discerning selection of exclusive brands will give women a shopping experience of discovery, and fashion-forward styles.

Last night's invitation-only event also offered wine, champagne and upscale hors d'oeuvres.

There was also a bit of breaking news:  Sakina announced that she will be designing and launching her own fashion line in the next two years.  That's one more reason Take 5's opening is a major fashion development in Bethesda:  not only exclusive brands, but eventually an in-house line as well.

But while you consider the exciting future ahead for Take 5 Boutique, here are some photos from the night that started it all (more photos and video coming soon, too!):
Walk the red carpet
Take 5 Boutique staff, including co-owner
Mahir Iskender and owner/designer
Sakina Iskender [center]


Thursday, September 27, 2012

WINDOW GRAPHICS UP AT TAKE 5 BOUTIQUE (PHOTO)

STORE REDESIGN
UNDERWAY AHEAD OF
OCTOBER OPENING

Another Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row Exclusive

Take 5 Boutique has fully moved in at the former Second Chance Boutique space, at 4920 Fairmont Avenue.

Yesterday, new graphic panels were up in the storefront windows, and behind them, the task of redesigning the space for the new boutique was underway.

As I reported a few weeks ago, Take 5 is scheduled to open next month.

Recently, owner Sakina Iskender flew to Turkey for Istanbul Fashion Week.

What makes Take 5's opening perhaps the biggest fashion news in downtown Bethesda this year?  The boutique will be carrying international fashion lines you literally will not find anywhere else in the U.S.  That's because Take 5 will be an exclusive importer of those designers' pieces.

By the way, the slick graphics are a welcome change from the most popular window covering in the Woodmont Triangle these days:  brown paper.  Stay classy, Bethesda!

Thursday, September 06, 2012

TAKE 5 BOUTIQUE TO REPLACE SECOND CHANCE ON FAIRMONT AVENUE

SAKINA ISKENDER
TO BRING "THE
APPROACHES OF
EUROPE'S HIGH-FASHION
DISTRICTS" TO
BETHESDA

Another Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row Exclusive

Second Chance, a consignment boutique at 4920 Fairmont Avenue is closing.  The space will get quite an upgrade in October, when Sakina Iskender opens her Asian-influenced boutique, Take 5.

Iskender says the boutique's name represents the "five essential looks of a woman - Stylish, Chic, Elegant, Modern and Sexy."  The "Asian" influence will include styles an designers far west of China or Japan.  In fact, Take 5 will be the exclusive seller of young Turkish designers Gamze Sarachoglu, Ozgur Masur, Tuba Benian, Sertac Delibas and Evren Kayar in the U.S.

The boutique will also offer consulting, custom design and fitting, personal shopper, hair/make-up styling, and style assessment services.

It sounds like Take 5 will inject something truly new and unique into the Bethesda fashion scene this fall.

While you're waiting, Second Chance is having a 50%-off liquidation sale.