What is the first thing a House of Silk woman/man feels when they wake up in the morning? A feeling of having a day of their own. For me, the best part of the morning is that when you open your eyes, the first thing that comes to mind isn't a 'to-do list,' but your own comfort. That little privilege actually sets the tone for the rest of the day. What detail seals the sense of 'effortless elegance' in your designs? That elegance doesn't come from a single detail or fabric; it

You proudly carry the phrase "a Fethiye brand." How did the story of Chez La Vie Eatery begin in Fethiye? What drove you to this city and to bring this concept to life? We came to Fethiye in 2017 with a classic Istanbul escape to a small town story. Shortly after settling here, the pandemic began. Our children were newly born, and we really needed to establish a business that would meet basic consumer needs. That's how we found our first shop in Karagözler; one day, while pas

How did the name "Pant Along" come about? How does this name reflect the spirit of the brand? The idea for Pant Along emerged in 2019 while filming the TV series "Sefirin Kızı" (The Ambassador's Daughter) in Bodrum. I always wanted to combine it with my own industry; I had a desire to find a business idea that would allow me to effectively use creativity and visual arts, and do it with passion. I was considering leaving this field, but I evaluated my possibilities and started

Mini Taverna, located right behind Cozy, seems at first glance like a continuation of the same story. From the very beginning, how did you envision differentiating these two brands? Before starting the Cozy project, my dream was to create two separate concepts offering distinct and unique experiences within a single villa. Actually, I didn't want a sharp separation; I wanted to showcase a different character and style of the same identity. The word "Mini" at first glance seem

How do you adapt to today's modern gastronomic world and changing consumer habits while preserving a 35-year-old history? What is the biggest common link between the Italian gelato concept of the past and today's Lu Gelato? For us, Lu Gelato's connection to the past is not just a production method, but a perspective. In traditional Italian gelato culture, patience, good raw materials, and craftsmanship are very important. We preserve this understanding while adapting it to th

Designed in London | Does the duality of "Crafted in Istanbul" create a conflict of identities or an enrichment in the creative process? How do London's rule-breaking avant-garde vision and Istanbul's impeccable textile discipline reconcile at the design table? London is a very important stepping stone for us to expand globally. However, we don't define our design philosophy solely through London. When I first came to London, I experienced a serious cultural shock because the

How did the idea for Coze Bodrum first come about? Coze was actually more of a lifestyle than a business idea. We wanted to create a place where the sea, good food, friendly people, and a simple aesthetic came together. We set out with the dream of sharing the atmosphere where we feel at home with our guests. What does the motto “Family & Friends” truly mean to you? For us, this motto is not just a slogan. We want everyone who comes to Coze to feel more like a host than a gue

How did your artistic practice change after moving to Istanbul? In what ways did the city’s layered history and physical texture begin to seep into your work? I think the first way Istanbul changed the work was materially. I began experimenting with the stuff around me, like baklava trays, insulation boards, car paint, industrial varnishes, pigments, things like that. These things already felt like they had a story or a purpose before I even touched them. Then there’s the pac

How do you concretize the definition of "functional art" for ilaerg? How do you strike a balance between an object being viewed as a work of art and being used in daily life? We can form emotional connections with any object. Not just with things that are meaningful to us, but also with things that everyone needs. Some we simply admire, while others exist because they make our lives easier. I explore how this connection takes shape around daily rituals, and the balance betwee

When choosing the name Bar Gabriel, was “Gabriel” a character trait or a state of mind for you? Gabriel is my son's name. That's the origin of the name, actually. His name comes from a football player I used to like a long time ago. But what we're trying to create here today is to leave him with something he'll be proud of when he grows up. We want Gabriel to be able to look back and say, "This bore my name." Bar Gabriel positions itself as a "neighborhood bar," but it also h

Patmos Island is known for its mystical atmosphere and tranquility. How did the idea for sunset.patmos come about, and what was your main motivation behind choosing this special island? The story began when we met Nikitas, who told me, (Thomas), about a hotel he planned to open in Patmos. At first, Patmos was a bit of a “no-go” for me, as it was the island I used to visit with my ex-girlfriend for five years. I didn’t even mention the project to my partners, Rafael Wallon Bro

Your designs are characterized by a sharp and refined silhouette. What are your go-to golden rules when deciding whether a piece embodies the "BATTS aesthetic"? This is mostly an internal decision, related to feelings. It's not about trying to attract attention, but about making itself felt in the details. Silhouette is also very important here. Patterns come into play; a beautiful pattern doesn't mean it will look the same on every similar product. Every design and fabric co

Where does the name “700Gr” come from? Is this name a measure or a manifesto for you? The name 700Gr came about when we initially envisioned the place as a “bakery.” While experimenting with the grammages of the bread, this name was born and became very popular over time. Thus, it stuck as “700Gr”; fundamentally, it's a name derived from bread. How does 700Gr create a space that stands against the fast pace of Istanbul? We create a space that is not noisy, but rather intimate

Could you share the name Yaru and your story of embarking on this slow lifestyle journey with us? For me, Yaru represents a simple yet powerful feeling. Also, the name Yaru means "to give" in Japanese. This meaning perfectly reflects the brand's starting point. When I founded Yaru, my aim wasn't just to produce, but also to create and share value. To contribute to local production, support women's labor, and create a small space for the continuity of craftsmanship. To provide

A Creative Mind, A Timeless Space: Begüm Güney Begüm Güney, who embraces design and art not just as a profession but as a holistic life practice, brings her visionary perspective to her personal sanctuary: the historic Jones Apartment in the heart of Cihangir. The high ceilings and lived-in atmosphere of this century-old building, constructed in 1892 in England, combine with Güney's modern and bold aesthetic to create an eclectic masterpiece. In her world, decoration is not a

It's quite striking that you present the brand name with a pronunciation guide in your biography. How does the phonetics and meaning of the name AZURÉE MARE shape the brand's visual world? “The name Azurée Mare reflects a calm yet powerful feeling. ‘Azurée’ evokes shades of blue, while ‘Mare’ means sea. This feeling shapes the brand's visual world; we strive to create a simple, feminine, and timeless aesthetic.” Your designs feature both a minimalist aesthetic and a dramatic

We see that you position Woody not just as a "hamburger joint," but as a lifestyle space. When choosing this location in Teşvikiye, what contribution did you aim to make to the neighborhood culture? Woody's story is actually quite personal; it's a story that comes from our family. It's also the name of our dog. Our initial goal was to create a pet-friendly space in Nişantaşı. We envisioned a place where people could comfortably come, especially to spend time with their pets.

"With the emphasis on 'Est. Istanbul 2024,' we see a very young but well-established brand. How do you think Hatclo connects with Istanbul's chaotic yet inspiring nature? Istanbul is not only chaotic but also layered and fast-paced; a structure where everything flows simultaneously. Our way of thinking is quite similar to this. Hatclo reflects this balance, which appears effortless from the outside but harbors serious thought behind it. 'Est. Istanbul 2024' is not just a date

The motto "Those who set the rhythm of their own steps" strongly emphasizes individuality. How does the Savia woman/man maintain this rhythm amidst the chaos of city life? The city is always the same; fast-paced, crowded, directive. Not everyone lives in the same way within that city because the tempo comes from the outside, but the rhythm is established internally. For the SAVIA woman (#savialker), maintaining this rhythm is less about making a statement to the outside world

Your brand name is "uncomfortable studio". What does "discomfort" mean to you in design? What emotions do you aim to trigger in the user when designing a product? "Discomfort" isn't something that's visible in the design itself. At first glance, our work seems the opposite; warmer, softer. But what we call "uncomfortable" is somewhat at the starting point. It's about the place we're in when we formulate those sentences, when we create those works. It's more about emotions tha