Luxury for a Lifetime

CHIRAGAN IS AN EMPORIUM OF LIFE’S FINER THINGS

Ekrem Ozer’s philosophy of luxury is both simple and elegant: It is better to own fewer things if those things are brilliantly crafted from exquisite materials. It’s the ultimate vision of quality versus quantity.

This philosophy is manifest at Chiragan, his airy storefront in the Bellmont building just north of the Shops at Merrick Park. Named for a palace in Istanbul where he and his wife Anna were married, Chiragan is a carefully curated wonderland of tableware, décor, apparel, bedding, fragrances, and wellness items.

The tableware alone is exquisite, from the ancient design houses of Europe: gleaming plates and saucers by Bernardaud, silver flatware by Christofle, sparkling glasses by St. Louis, wine decanters by Riedel, to name a few. And his objects for bed and bath? Try 1,000-count linens from Italy, or hand-crafted Vispring mattresses from Britain. 

“The idea is to acquire things of exquisite quality and craftsmanship that will last a lifetime, and that you can literally pass on to the next generation,” says Ozer.

That conviction drove Ozer to spend years cultivating relationships with artisans, family-owned workshops, and small producers in Turkey and Europe, in some cases creating his own product lines. The Ephesus and Bosphorus towels are his own Chiragan brand, as are the ultra-soft Hamam bath robes. And then there are the soaps from Paris, and the perfumes from London. The result is a store that feels more like a cultural gallery than a conventional retail space.

As for the experience of shopping in Chiragan, Ozer has curated this as carefully as the products on display. There is a lounge area where patrons can sip coffee, tea, wine, or champagne while exploring the showroom in a leisurely fashion. “You are buying things that you will use for decades, right? So, the purchasing experience should also be a very relaxing and luxury experience. You shouldn’t buy something with stress. Then you’re going to have bad feelings about the product.”

Beyond the lounge are room vignettes that bring Chiragan’s collections to life – sumptuous beds dressed in crisp linens, tables set with crystal and silver, and cozy sitting areas layered with cashmere throws. The store carries an impressive range, from Giobagnara leather trays and Agresti safes to PENT’s sleek gym equiprment, in addition to the house’s own line of bath and table linens. Fragrance lovers can explore an elevated perfume corner featuring Amouage, Xerjoff, and Roja. Brides and grooms can book private registry appointments, complete with refreshments and personal conultations.

Overhead, gleaming chandeliers – many from the legendary Saint-Louis crystal works – illuminate the showroom with a warm glow. art lovers will appreciate Chiragan’s collection of hand-painted European vases, each one a statement that can transform a corner of your home.

“We also have things that are a little more on the gifting side, like notebooks, wallets, card holders, passport holders, those types of things – leather goods,” says Ozer, who was born in Miami but developed his sense of taste over a lifetime in cities like London, Istanbul, Shanghai, and Singapore, where he worked as a corporate executive. The idea for the store, he says, came from these experiences of world’s finest traditional artistry . “I thought, why don’t we see more of this back home? Why not create a space that celebrates heritage, but through a modern lens?”

But why Coral Gables? “This city is a crossroads,” says Ozer. “You have an international community that values design, culture, and authenticity. People here aren’t just shopping for things – they’re shopping for experiences. I knew Chiragan would belong here.”