It was the beginning of the 17th century... When the Ottoman Empire began allowing entry to Westerners, some European families migrated to port cities like İstanbul and İzmir to start new lives. The Parma family of Italy came to İstanbul from the town of Chiavari, not far from Genoa. After making a name in the importation of tea, beverages, food products and canned goods, the Parma family opened a butter and cheese shop in Bomonti in 1820, and then established Turkey’s first pasta factory. After a fire in 1850 the family relocated to Pera. Historical “Parma Apartment House” commissioned by grandfather Guiseppe Parma on Hammalbaşı Street, turns out to be one of the most beautiful buildings in Tarlabaşi. Paul Parma, one of 11 children, was born in Istanbul in 1854. While his family members were working in various trade sectors, Paul Parma became co-owner of a tailor shop by the name of “M. Palma & D. Lena” and eventually became its sole owner. The shop’s name was changed to “Parma” in 1902.