Photography by Saeeda Shabbir.
Since its launch in 2010, VooStore wanted to do things differently. As the Mekka of the concept stores, its stock ranges from brands like Maison Margiela to Chopova Lowena and Nike, though VooStore’s core has never been about fashion initially. The brothers Mujdeci came from Ankara to Berlin with the dream of creating a culturally infused space. Thus, their concept store was born, functioning as a space to let exchange happen which then led to building a whole community behind it.
Photography by Saeeda Shabbir.
Further exploring the power of connection, VooStore has extended its world with VooSpace as a new tool to tell its story. In a world reigned by consumption, the need for something meaningful is at its highest peak. Therefore VooSpace acts as a catalyzer to create a sense of long-lasting satisfaction, still, in a Voo kind of way, but without the pressure of the ever-so-tiring fashion cycle. With more space now (literally) Voo gets to unfold their identity in other dimensions.
SLEEK talks to VooStore founder Yasin Mujdeci about the connections between the Voo universe, new opportunities that are coming with VooSpace and its first exhibition in collaboration with Sucuk & Bratwurst.
Photography by Saeeda Shabbir.
SLEEK: VooStore has always advocated to be a space for everyone. How does VooSpace further contribute to that?
Yasin Mujdeci: VooStore’s intention has always been to be a source of inspiration, to bring people together, exchange ideas and display creativity at its highest form while keeping it fun. VooSpace is just extending this vision. Yes, fashion will be part of it but there will also be art installations, pop-ups and other events with the “Voo” point of view. It’s opening up opportunities to elaborate on our DNA and explore it from a different angle.
S: Hosting events is nothing new to VooStore. How will the events at VooSpace differ or what will be adopted from the concepts that VooStore has already established?
YM: One of the reasons we have developed the concept for VooSpace is to have a bigger playing ground for our ideas to live in. At our main store, we are often facing limited possibilities for events or other happenings due to the physical space we have there. It didn’t give the performances or installations enough room to breathe in and to truly unfold. With VooSpace we have the opportunity to create more freely and do things of larger dimensions.
Photography by Saeeda Shabbir.
S: The fashion industry has also adopted the concept of creating a story rather than only focusing on consuming as in VooStore adding Voo deli and now VooSpace. Why is it currently the move in fashion to go more out of the spheres of fashion?
YM: VooStore was never about fashion only. It was always about the vision, the feeling you get when entering the store and the people you might connect with. We never followed trends since we have our own story to tell. I think the industry eventually caught up on this idea and understood that it is important to use the voice you have.
S: Does VooSpace also want to cater to a community that hasn’t been part of VooStore before?
YM: We definitely have the opportunity for that now. Throughout the years we have connected with many great people and brands with whom we weren’t able to realize ideas and concepts at that time due to the problem of our capacity. So now, we are really looking forward to catching up on that.
Photography by Saeeda Shabbir.
S: Your first piece at VooSapce is the Zenomorph chair bei Sucuk & Bratwurst. How did you decide what your first exhibited piece will be and does it tell something about the direction you are heading to with VooSpace?
YM: The exhibition with Sucux represents exactly what we have in mind with VooSpace. They are Berlin-based, artists and creatives that go way beyond the realms of art. In addition, Sucux is part of our community and incredibly rooted in the Berlin creative scene. They have an interesting point of view so it felt like a natural alignment.
S: Which realms of art does VooSpace want to further explore in the future?
YM: VooSpace acts as a blank page and is an invitation for creatives to connect with our Voo universe. You will see what will await us in the future.