In May, Minnie and I flew to Turkey for the first time to visit the incredible manufacturers behind Minka Dink London. It was such a special and important trip - we’ve worked so closely with these talented teams from afar, so finally meeting them in person was so exciting. We came away feeling even more connected to the people who help us bring Minka Dink to life, which was super special.

Our first stop was Istanbul, where our Lila Jeans are made. We began the day at the washing house - denim is known for being a water-intensive fabric, but our manufacturers use a sustainable washing process, recycling all the water and working with low-water fabrics - It’s not only better for the planet, but it also makes our Lila Jeans feel super soft and comfortable to wear.

We then visited the colour matching department, where every pair of jeans is carefully looked at to ensure consistency across washes. From there, we saw the stitching room – our manufacturer is the only atelier in Turkey that can do our signature thick stitch that makes Lila Jeans so recognisable and unique.

After stitching, each pair goes through a meticulous inspection process: button holes are checked, threads are trimmed, and everything is ironed, pressed, labelled, barcoded, and packed before shipping to our warehouse. Later that day, we headed to the manufacturer’s main office to discuss exciting new designs and fabric developments. There are some dreamy new pieces coming…

We also visited our second manufacturer, where all of our favourite tops and blouses are made. Like with the jeans, every part of the process is carefully handled - from fabric cutting to stitching, inspection to packaging. The level of attention to detail is incredible, and it's such a joy to work with people who genuinely care about the clothes as much as we do.

One of the most meaningful parts of our Turkey trip was getting to know our manufacturers and their families on a personal level. They’re the kindest, most hardworking people - we speak to them every day, but sharing meals together, visiting their favourite places, and seeing where they live made everything feel even more real and special. We truly wouldn’t be here without them.

When we weren’t at the factories, we spent time exploring beautiful Istanbul - breakfasts overlooking the Bosphorus, late-night ice cream trips, and wandering through busy markets. It’s such an inspiring, energetic city and we honestly can’t wait to go back. If you ever get the chance to visit, take it!