What is the story behind the very beginning of your brand, how and when it started?
It all started when I was around 6-7 years old. I dreamt about becoming a designer one day. It was my mom’s encouragement that I can be a great fashion designer because I had a skill for drawing and a taste for clothes. She was a custom dressmaker at the time, and my childhood memories are full of sitting by her side watching her sewing beautiful dresses.
What inspired you for your first handbag design?
I wanted to purchase a good quality Italian-made designer handbag because I knew that I deserved one. However, I couldn’t get one because of their far too high prices. I then decided to create my own bag with high quality and timeless style, and yet affordable. Our bags are made by Italian artisans also making for those highly established luxury brands, yet our prices are considerably moderate compared to their higher mark-ups.
How your Turkish heritage has impacted the brand?
I know the needs of western women as well of eastern because I am a mix of both. Turkey sits on two continents, and Istanbul is separated into two halves: Europe and Asia. A mix of history and oriental with modernity and elegance and sophistication all influence my style, designs, and vision. It is a pleasure for me to be able to create for those incredible women.
What cause is particularly important for you?
We are very sensitive to increased pollution and waste, resulting in degraded and collapsing ecosystems, habitats, and species. The wasteful consumption of today’s fast-paced modern people is creating a massive burden on our earth.
Our mission is to build an alternative and profoundly different world, a slower and more meaningful one. We encourage our customers to buy less and better, and when they need it.
We are adopting a new business model while routing our primary target to Goal-12 of the United Nations; Responsible Consumption and Production. The timeless style and longevity of our products are the keys to our sustainable strategy.
What cause is particularly important for you?
Conscious and responsible consumption. I am not against things but in the age of instant gratification, I think we lost the ability and joy of yearning for something, waiting, selecting, desiring. Our homes are not dumping grounds. We should only own and keep things that deserve us. I always say that we all should be more collectors and less hoarders.
Describe yourself in a hashtag.
Passionate, visionary and inspiring.
