Turkish sisters Lara and Bercis Ustunberk are co-founders of London-based fashion brand Labeca.
Originally founded to create travel clothes for women, they repositioned themselves as loungewear and work-from-home connoisseurs for their 2020 launch.
Now offering a collection of versatile pieces suitable for every destination, season and occasion, Labeca’s approached to design is timeless, rooted in understated luxury.
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We speak to the duo – who grew up in Istanbul and have had careers in the art world taking them to all corners of the globe – about their travels. Here they reminisce on their most memorable trips, share their bucket list destinations, and highlight the items they won’t travel without.
First trip you remember taking?
Bercis: The first trip I remember taking was to the US when I was about five. My siblings, mum, aunt, and cousins often visited our grandparents in Philadelphia. We had the best time there when we were kids!
Lara: For me, it’s a boat trip to the south of Turkey’s Mediterranean Sea. We actually went on this trip every summer in August with our family and cousins; I remember the delicious food we ate – everything was so fresh. The water so blue, the sun so bright.
What’s been your most memorable trip and why?
Bercis: My most memorable trip was going to St Barts for Christmas break. We stayed at Eden Rock which was amazing. This was the most spontaneous trip of my life.
Lara: South Africa: We stayed in Cape Town and went on a safari trip in Kruger National Park, which was absolutely breathtaking.
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Where or what is your escape?
Lara: The English countryside. I love visiting the hotels in the country with my husband and son. There’s so much beautiful scenery, and plenty to do with kids.
Bercis: Playing sports has always been my biggest escape. Right now, that’s the gym. I don’t think about anything except working out and getting a sweat on while I’m there.
What’s the biggest lesson you’ve taken from your travels?
Bercis: I usually pack way too much and end up not wearing most of it. Even though I haven’t completely learned yet, I do try to pack strategically by pre-planning outfit combinations for my trip.
Lara: I totally agree with B! Don’t overpack – you end up not using or wearing most of the stuff you bring.
If I could go anywhere tomorrow I’d go:
Bercis: Skiing in the Alps. I used to be a professional skier, and I’d choose to go skiing over anything.
Lara: To Australia. I’d love to explore the beaches and wildlife, plus of course the many local fashion brands.
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How would you spend your ideal afternoon in your home city?
Lara: I live in London and an ideal afternoon would be spent going for a walk in Chelsea with my son, stopping for coffee at my favourite cafe, Hagen, and followed by a visit to the Saatchi Gallery.
Bercis: I live in Istanbul. My ideal afternoon would be picking the kids up from school and taking them to get ice cream on the Bosphorus.
What’s your idea of a luxury holiday?
Lara: I love exercising and I enjoy being able to move during my holidays, so I would say a trip where I can get around by walking (with beautiful views!).
Bercis: Sun, sand and lots of time to rest and read. City life is pretty hectic with work, the kids and daily routines. I would love to go to the Maldives, where life is slow and peaceful.
Where do you get your holiday inspiration?
Lara: I love to see recommendations from my favourite content creators so I browse social media for inspo.
Bercis: Mostly from family and friends or online travel magazines.
If you could sit next to anyone on a flight – dead or alive – who would it be?
Bercis: My two sons when they are 18 and 20 (they are currently four and six).
Lara: Jane Birkin, she has an inspiring story and is a fashion icon.
How do you recover from jet lag?
Bercis: I try to fly overnight in the timezone of the country I’m visiting. Then I can sleep on the plane and be fresh when I land. I also take naps, and switch on many alarms to wake up!
Lara: I rarely get jet lag, but I try not to let my travels affect my daily routine as much as possible.
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What’s your in-flight beauty routine?
Lara: Sleep! Nothing works better.
Bercis: Hand cream, chapstick and drinking lots of water.
Your flight’s delayed an hour and your phone’s out of battery. How do you pass the time?
Lara: Browsing magazines.
Bercis: I love reading but I usually get interrupted by my phone whenever I start to read. Without my phone, I would really enjoy my book with a cup of coffee.
Favourite hotel?
Lara: D Maris Bay in Marmaris, Turkey. I got married here, so it holds special memories for me.
Bercis: Il San Pietro di Positano in Italy is by far my favourite hotel. The view you wake up to is very special. Located on the Amalfi Coast, you can visit so many different towns – and take a boat trip to Capri island.
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Favourite airline?
Lara: Turkish Airlines, they have great staff and fly to so many destinations.
Bercis: I agree with Lara! Turkish Airlines flies all over the world from Istanbul. It’s also super comfortable with great service and food on long haul flights.
What’s on your travel playlist?
Bercis: It depends on my mood, but I always use my friends’ playlists on Spotify, we have the same taste in music!
Lara: My go to is always Coldplay.
What are your must-have travel picks?
Lara: Labeca’s Capri top and shorts are always in my suitcase. I have all the colourways because I love everything about the cut and fit. Labeca’s Cashmere Travel Set has all my flight essentials: cosy socks and extra soft blanket, as well as an eye mask for the inevitable flight nap. The Dior Addict Lip Glow, which is super hydrating with a light sheen for a natural makeup look. MZ Skin Tinted Moisturiser – I love the glow it gives, plus it’s super important to have SPF in your skincare routine. The Carolina Bucci Gold Link Necklace is my go-to statement item of jewellery and completes every outfit. A sportswear set: I love all of Varley’s activewear and it’s important to me that I can work out when I travel, so I always have a pair of leggings and a sports bra handy.
Bercis: I never leave the house to travel without my Labeca Leon Cashmere Jacket. It’s the cosiest cardigan I have ever owned and is perfect for keeping you warm during breezy summer nights (or cold plane journeys). My favourite dress this summer is Labeca’s Mila Goji Red Linen Mini Dress – you can wear it with flat sandals for casual dinners and elevate the look with heels for more fancy summer evenings. My perfect cut Eres bikinis has also travelled with me all summer. I love wearing gold jewellery, I think it adds a cool touch to all looks: I’ll always pack small gold hoops and Marie Lichtenberg’s gold necklace with heart pendant. I also always carry Charlotte Tilbury’s Healthy Glow Summer Tint Moisturizer – it gives my skin such a gorgeous sun-kissed glow and evens out my skin tone. My Ancient Greek Sandals are my go-to shoe for the summer, they match nearly every outfit I own.
Where next?
Lara & Bercis: We are going to St. Tropez for the last two weeks of August with our families and are excited that we’ll have time to really explore the South of France.
FIRST THING THAT COMES TO MIND…
Hand-luggage essential?
Lara: AirPods.
Bercis: Nivea’s cherry chapstick.
Packing: roll or fold?
Lara & Bercis: Fold.
Inflight book or inflight film?
Lara: Film.
Bercis: Book.
Music or podcasts?
Lara & Bercis: Music.
Time killer on a long-haul flight?
Lara: Movie.
Bercis: Read, sleep, read, sleep…
Holiday tipple of choice?
Lara: Margarita.
Bercis: Spicy Margarita.
Bucket list destination?
Lara: Australia.
Bercis: Japan.
Best shopping gem found abroad?
Lara: In Capri there’s a sandal shop where you can choose your leather strap colour. They have amazing styles and it’s fun to customise your own.
Bercis: My Taurus star sign gold necklace.
Beach or City?
Lara & Bercis: City.
Ultimate holiday treat?
Lara: Ice cream.
Bercis: Bread, cheese and wine.
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Any Questions or Tips to add?