Actor, director and entrepreneur Alkan Çöklü and fashion consultant, bestselling author and former editor-in-chief of VOGUE Netherlands, Yeliz Çiçek, are both at the peak of their careers. Alongside their individual ventures, they are building AY Wellbeing together, a platform centred around breathwork, retreats and coaching.
Yet despite their demanding schedules, they know exactly where to land: in rest, in ritual, and in each other. “Our evening ritual is truly our moment together.”
It’s why, on Friday nights, you’ll most likely find them in the gym rather than on the sofa.
Yeliz
“We’ve just come from a boxing class. Very intense — we’re both completely wiped out by the end — but it’s also really fun. At the gym, Alkan follows his routine with weights and machines, and I take my own class. And afterwards, we head into the wellness area together.”
With such demanding schedules, how do you make self-care a priority?
Alkan
“For me, self-care is about feeling good, physically and mentally. Working out helps, but so does monitoring my sleep and recovery. I enjoy figuring out how I can optimise things. And when I notice something works immediately, I genuinely get excited.”
Yeliz
“Because we’re so busy, evenings are really the moment where we make time for each other. Showering together, talking for a few minutes in bed, sharing what we’re grateful for… It’s honestly my favourite moment of the day.”
How does skincare fit into your self-care routine?
Alkan
“I’ve always had a simple routine: cleansing and a good moisturiser. Sometimes a peel or a mask, for example during a flight. I honestly enjoy it, and it’s a meditative moment for me.”
Yeliz
“In the beginning you applied everything so quickly. I saw you rubbing your face really roughly and thought: what are you doing? While you’re normally so good at being present. I had to point out that skincare can also be a moment of calm, a moment to slow down.”
Alkan
“Through Yeliz I’ve become more aware of what proper skincare can do, especially as you get older. If you never take care of your skin, it shows when you’re older. And I genuinely notice a difference when I use something that works.”
Do you share products as well?
Yeliz
“He really follows my advice. I get sent a lot of beauty products and I enjoy testing them — on myself, and sometimes on him.”
Alkan
“I always forget the product names, so I just ask Yeliz: what should I use? Her routine has eight steps; that’s not my thing. I like my routine to be simple but effective.”
You both seem to take wellness seriously. What are other ways in which you take care of yourselves?
Yeliz
“We barely drink alcohol anymore. We realised it’s not serving us at this stage in our lives. It has such a profound effect on how you feel, your energy levels, your mood. For work I attend a lot of events, and before I knew it, I was drinking three or four nights a week. For Alkan it was an easier switch, partly because of his religious background.”
Alkan
“We’re also very conscious about nutrition and enjoy trying new things. We recently did a five-day fast where we only drank juices, and sometimes we do a three-day juice cleanse. We want to try a water fast soon. We’re always reading about nutrition and we both find it interesting to see how food affects your body.”
Your evening ritual sounds almost ceremonial. Tell me more about that.
Alkan
“We sleep without any electronics in the bedroom. I introduced that, and it works really well. I leave my phone in the living room, take a shower, cleanse my face and ask Yeliz what cream or serum I should apply. Sleep is sacred to me. I need at least eight hours to feel good. Before bed I often wear a nasal strip, sometimes mouth tape (from my own sleep wellness company Fresh Improve), and I use earplugs and an eye mask. My Whoop watch monitors my sleep and stress level, so I know what my body needs the next day, whether that be a switch in my exercise routine or more rest. I take my sleep very seriously, which Yeliz sometimes finds a little bit annoying.”
Yeliz
“It’s a very funny sight when we get into bed: you with your mask, earplugs and tape, and me all slippery and covered in all my creams. We go to bed early, around 10:30. I fall asleep instantly, and Alkan sometimes takes a little longer. He loves his sleep and stays in bed a bit longer in the morning, while I’m up early. And I try not to talk too much to him first thing, haha.”
Alkan, how has Yeliz influenced your view on skincare?
Alkan
“I now see that it can really be part of taking good care of yourself. I think skincare can feel overwhelming for a lot of men. So it ends up at the bottom of the priority list, which is a shame. A little bit of guidance goes a long way. It doesn’t have to be complicated, and it can make such a big difference in how you feel.”
