<http://schema.org/articleBody>
" You don&amp;#039;t often hear about new talent emerging in the Milan menswear scene, it&amp;#039;s a landscape dominated by giants: Armani, Dolce &amp;amp;amp; Gabbana, Gucci and Zegna to name a few, and most young designers work with or for one of the heavyweights. It makes the work of Turkish born Umit Benan all the more interesting. After working and studying in Milan, New York, and Istanbul, Benan settled in Milan to start his eponymous label, a blend of street influences and sartorial techniques, now entering its fourth season. Each time out, Benan chooses a character to base his collection around and for Spring 2011&amp;#039;s &amp;quot;Home Sweet Home&amp;quot; he focused on his native Turkey. Specifically, the taxi drivers who hang out at the cafes of Istanbul, playing board games and drinking the rocket fuel they call coffee (for the presentation in Milan, he flew him mom out to make coffee, the Milanese don&amp;#039;t do it strong enough). The cuts of the garments are authentic but twisted just enough to make them fresh, allowing the Turkish underpinnings to blend seamlessly with the luxurious fabrics and smart cuts of the jackets. Every collection \u2014 whether it be based on Cuban drug dealers or retired rock stars \u2014 has extremely well thought out and expertly constructed pieces that are, above all, cool.     "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.esquire.com/style/mens-fashion/a7882/designer-of-the-day-umit-benan-070110/>