Vakko is a Turkish luxury fashion company[1] founded by Vitali Hakko (d. 2007) survived by his son Cem Hakko.[2] It produces and retails textiles, leather goods, and accessories.[3][4][5][6]
Vakko also operates luxury department stores under the Vakko name at Zorlu Center, İstinye Park, Akmerkez, Vadi Istanbul, and Akasya malls and on Bağdat Caddesi in Suadiye (Asian side); in Ankara at Atakule and Armada malls, and in İzmir at Hilltown and Istinye Park İzmir malls.
In 1962, Vakko's eight-story flagship store on İstiklal Avenue in Beyoğlu was the first modern department store in Turkey. [[8]
Vakko was founded in 1934 by Vitali Hakko under the brand name Şen Şapka as a small hat seller in Sultanhamam.<ref n[9]<ref n[10]<ref n[11] In 1937, with his older brother Albert Hakko becoming a partner, Vitali Hakko changed the name of the company to Vakko and established Turkey's first silk dyeing workshop in Kurtuluş, Şişli.<ref n<ref n[12] After Şen Şapka transformed into Vakko, it started to produce scarves with Turkish silk, cotton and wool. Over time, Vakko turned to ready-to-wear to produce more than hats, scarves, and printed fabrics. Here, customers were introduced for the first time to modern store practices such as bargain-free and promotional sales, and replacement of sold goods.<ref n
In 1962, Hakko opened a large 8-storey store, including a cafe and fashion gallery, in Beyoğlu (a.k.a. Pera), at the time, the most important modern shopping districts in Istanbul.<ref n<ref n In 1969, the first Vakko Factory was built in Merter measuring 40,000 m2 and employment was provided.<ref n<ref n In 1973, the second Vakko store opened in Ankara, and Vakko began to further expand its retail network with the Vakko Boutique sales points it opened one after the other.<ref n Six years later, in 1979, the third Vakko store opened in İzmir.<ref na There was an increase in the popularity of the Vakko brand with advertising campaigns and fashion shows carried out throughout Turkey.<ref na
In September 1979 Vakko opened up its first shop outside Turkey, in Old Bond Street, London, selling merchandise 90% Vakko-produced, including items by Sevim Cavdar, and launched by a rooftop fashion show at the Régine Club. {{[13] In order to bring New York fashion to Istanbul, Vakkorama introduced a new team called V2K Designers ('V2K Designers') in 2000 with the slogan "Two cities, one brand". Over time, V2K Designers has acquired designers and brands from other fashion cities such as Paris, London and Milan, as well as New York. Today, it is Turkey's first concept store where different world brands meet under the same roof. Creations of other designers and brands such as Rick Owens, Gareth Pugh, Alexander Wang, Hussein Chalayan, Preen, Erdem, Elizabeth & James, Band of Outsider, and Rag & Bone are available at V2K Designers.<ref na
In 2006, Vakko opened in the then-new Kanyon Shopping Mall in Levent, in Istanbul's modern Central Business District (the store has since closed and opened in the newer, larger Zorlu Center nearby). At the same time, the famous fashion designer Zac Posen's specially interpreted creations for Vakko were introduced under the label "Zac Posen @Vakko". In the same year, world-famous top model Gisele Bündchen became the face of Vakko's campaign. Since 2008, Vakko has been continuing its operations in its new factory, which is headquartered in Merter and spread over an area 2 times the size of its old factory, with screen printing and ready-made clothing production units, logistics facilities, social use areas, and work offices. {{[14] {{[15]
Also in 2011, milliner (hat designer) Stephen Jones ' The Accent of Fashion Exhibition was held at Vakko Fashion Center. {{[16]
In the 2010s, Vakko continued to branch out in diverse related businesses:<ref na[17]
Istancool2012 hosted important names from the fashion and art world, such as French Vogue editor Carine Roitfeld, famous photographer Mario Sorrenti and artist Pınar Yolaçan. {{[18]
As of 31 December 2023 there were 181 points of sale: 29 in the department store division, 44 Vakko Boutique, 27 Vakkorama, 51 W Collection, 15 Vakko Outlet, 10 Vakko Wedding and 5 Vakko Home stores. {{[19] Ankara: Former: Elsewhere
Istanbul (20): Boutique (27): Kiosk (4): Former:
Defunct formats as of June 2024:
