Serdar Cevher
We are used to seeing the image of Ernesto “Che” Guevara in many ways, on clothes, covers of books etc., but no one would have imagined that Karl Marx, namely the “father of communism” would be used the same way. This “brilliant” idea came from a Turkish couple, who already produce some brand clothes as one with a familiar name for Turkey, “Midnight Express”.
Pants for men, office tools, t-shirts…
Owners of unusual and generally pricey brands, Mumcu and Bora are actually well known names for the ones who are interested in luxury consumption in Turkey. They own two design homes in Taksim and Bebek, which “create opportunities for new designers” according to them.
“Although it was an awful movie for Turkey’s reputation, ‘Midnight Express’ is the fourth well-known thing about our country, after belly dance, kebab and raki”, according to the couple. They explain that they prefer to use unusual brand names to attract people’s attention and they have been quite successful with this method until now.
“Karly Marky” for babies…
If the Turkish Patent Institution will not object to the application, the brand will be registered within two years. Furthermore, Marx will be subject to various ridiculous variations, such as “Karly Marky”, which is considered as the brand for babies’ clothes!
Mumcu sincerely claimed that if Karl Marx were alive today, he would be very happy to see his name on these clothes. He also said that if he were a leftist, it would be attracting for him to wear Marx on his pants. But it is obvious that Mumcu does not have a thorough idea about being a leftist, as he admits himself.
“We are apolitical people, but we respect leftist heritage”
Mumcu explains that they are criticized by many people because of being so out of the politics. “We do not know much about 70’s in Turkey. We have heard of some young people with huge energy and excitement, we were impressed by them but not as politically,” says Mumcu’s wife Bora.
All this, of course brings to mind whether these creative people have ever considered producing “May Day” tools for leftists, such as gas masks, shields, protective clothes against police violence etc. Although this might have proven a commercially lucrative enterprise, it seems that they have not thought about it. Apparently, their target group has not been chosen correctly!