WIA

How did the idea to establish WIA come about? What was the turning point that led you down this path?

WIA actually started as a social responsibility project during our school years. As part of a class, we were working on the idea of ​​producing and selling sustainable products through handcrafting. At that point, one day we thought amongst ourselves, "Why don't we actually do this?" Initially, it was a rather small and experimental idea, but the issue behind it was much bigger.

In Turkey, women possess incredible production power; however, this power is often either invisible or fails to translate into economic value. We wanted to both make this potential visible, transform it into a sustainable income source for women, and demonstrate that sustainable and recyclable materials can actually be a "luxury" language. In a sense, WIA was born from the intersection of these three ideas.

What is the most fundamental thing that distinguishes WIA from other sustainable fashion brands?

We are not just a brand that has its products made by women. From the very beginning, what we have tried to build is not a production network, but a relationship network. Over time, this relationship evolves into something much different. It's not just a system of placing orders and receiving products; You truly become involved in people's lives. You're constantly in communication, making decisions together, touching each other's daily lives. That's exactly what makes WIA different: this connection. The products are very important to us, but the women who produce those products are even more valuable. Everything progresses in a much more personal, much more real, and much more connected way.

How do you establish connections with women artisans in different regions of Turkey?

Our production process is actually entirely based on communication. Because when you draw a design, especially in handcrafted work, it's not always possible to bring it to life exactly as it is. Therefore, the process progresses with intense communication from start to finish. We constantly talk to the women — regardless of the time. Photos come in, we give feedback, we try again, sometimes we start completely from scratch. This trial-and-error process actually allows the products to truly take shape together. We're talking about a process of learning and developing together, rather than a one-sided production. Over time, this naturally transforms into a much stronger and more sincere bond.

What concrete changes does this business model bring to the lives of women?

Initially, this project started as a small source of extra income for many women, but over time that completely changed. Today, this work has become the main source of income for all our producers. They can support their own homes, create their own earnings, and become financially independent. But beyond that, the fact that their work is valued creates a very important transformation. Their pieces reaching different countries, being part of a brand, being involved in the design process… all of these provide significant motivation.

Their excitement when a new product comes out, just like ours, shows how reciprocal this process is.

What was the biggest challenge you faced when working with local producers?

Actually, working with local producers isn't a challenge for us; on the contrary, it's what we value most. WIA's starting point is this production method. The challenge we face stems more from the nature of handcrafting. Hand production is a time-consuming process and doesn't always keep pace with the speed of the fashion world. Also, because each product is made individually by hand, there can be small differences even within the same model. We see this not as a problem, but as an asset. Our "Every product is one of a kind" approach comes from this. Production capacity is naturally limited. It's not possible to reach high volumes in a short time like a factory.

Therefore, we need to plan our time very well and design production months in advance. The process naturally progresses more slowly, but the production approach we adopt requires exactly this rhythm.

How do you strike a balance between handcrafted work and modern design?

When handcrafted work is mentioned, a more traditional and nostalgic aesthetic often comes to mind. This can be perceived as contradicting modern design. However, handcrafted work actually has no limits. The women we work with are incredibly strong and versatile technically. It's possible to produce both traditional and highly modern designs with the same technique. Instead of pitting these two worlds against each other, we look at how they can coexist. We take techniques from the past and reinterpret them with today's aesthetics.

Which collection or piece are you most proud of?

It's difficult to name just one piece, but we can talk about product groups. Bucket hats have been indispensable for us from the beginning. They have been a part of every collection since our first one, and each time they are reinterpreted in a different way. And then there are our beaded bags. They have also been with us since the first collection and are still our most popular choice among our pieces. They continue to evolve. In our SS26 collection, Viva la Siesta, we developed a sequined version of these bags. We transformed a daily summer bag into a piece that can also be used in the evening. We believe that this will eventually become one of the brand's signature pieces.

Where do you position WIA in the international market?

We position WIA in the international market as a craft-focused but modern brand.

Today, global consumers are looking not only for aesthetically strong products, but also for pieces that carry a story.

That's exactly where we stand. As a brand originating from Turkey, we want to establish a global language while preserving our own identity. Neither remaining completely local nor losing our essence while globalizing – we value striking a balance between the two. We see WIA as a timeless brand with a strong story and a production process that stands out.

Do you think the place of Turkish craftsmanship in the global fashion world is sufficiently visible?

Absolutely not sufficiently visible. Hand craftsmanship in Turkey is incredibly widespread and strong. In many places, the number of people who don't produce anything is even less than the number of those who do. Everyone produces something, and there's a truly high level of craftsmanship. Despite this, we don't think this potential is sufficiently showcased on a global scale. Craftsmanship exists in different parts of the world, but the diversity and intensity in Turkey are on a completely different level. Therefore, it's an area that needs to be much more visible. And with WIA, we're trying to make it more visible.

What would be your most important advice to young women who want to become entrepreneurs?

It's crucial to start without expecting everything to be perfect. We didn't know many things when we started either; we learned most of it during the process. Many things take shape along the way. Also, doing something you truly believe in makes a huge difference. Because that's what keeps you going during difficult times. You need to learn not to be afraid to try and make mistakes.