First of all, Would you like to share the story of your 16.10 brand and its establishment?
We were a senior in college. We have found ourselves at a point where the value of the items we use is becoming increasingly meaningless at a time when fast consumption is increasing. We realized that we can actually handle the city we live in this way. There are so many Istanbul stories waiting to be explored and re-told as we miss out in the hustle and bustle of life. Combining this with jewelry revealed a project that had not been done before.
16.10 (16 October) on the logo of the brand represents our founding date, and the double dot represents the ‘’i’’ in the relief letters used by the visually impaired; İdil, İrem, and İstanbul as the first letter. That’s why the brand is named as 16.10 Istanbul.
Of course. Especially those who want to obtain a unique gift, they request designs that appeal to their memories. For example, this may be the neighborhood where he was born or the neighborhood where he was studying …
What kind of products do your collections consist of?
In fact, we can say it is as colorful as Istanbul. It consists of designs that address every aspect of the cosmopolitan city. As we work with precious stones in floral and minimal lines, authentic and flashy designs are also included in our collections.
The Braille collection began with a desire to underline social awareness. In order to make this social awareness sustainable, we carried it to our logo and some of the income of each product sold from this collection is donated to associations working for the visually impaired.
In the Inspiring Women series, we think of styles that reflect the styles of woman who women are considered as icons in the world and in Turkey by many people and re-design them with 16.10 Istanbul. For example, icon figures such as Frida Kahlo, Princess Diana, Donatella Versace, and Betûl Mardin took their place in this year’s series.
How does the design of jewelry or accessory come into being by the impact of imagination?
Jewelry, from an early age, was an important part of our lives. A necklace that we add in every combination, earrings that don’t come out of our ears, seasonal brooches have been with us for a long time. When this pleasure is combined with Istanbul became a passion. As we got to know more about the stones and the shapes they took, we became even more enchanted.
Of course, Istanbul and its three periods shape our imagination in district collections: Constantinopolis, Constantinople, and Istanbul. The history of the city, the thousand-year- old millennial structures standing in front of us in all its glory, and the life experiences …
You have collection names like Inspiring Women, Braille, Remaining …Can you share the basis of this idea with us?
In fact, there is a social awareness on the basis of all the collections we prepare. This goes from the awareness of the city we live in to the social responsibility with the Braille collection. The same goes for our Inspiring Women series. In the success story of a woman, we try to convey many other points that can inspire all other women to jewelry. In the Remnants collection, with the increase in mass production, we tried to re-express the forgotten craftsmanship and simplicity. In this collection, we aim to re-evaluate the century-old products that have a story in the Grand Bazaar. For example, We can bring a 186-year-old ring to the lovers of the vintage together with its story.
Is there any custom made orders you are working on?
Of course. Especially those who want to obtain a unique gift, they request designs that appeal to their memories. For example, this may be the neighborhood where he was born or the neighborhood where he was studying … A person he was in love with or had married to … People who demand such customized works ar majority. Who doesn’t want a jewel for where his own story is written down?!
Can you give us some information about your future goals? Do you think of differentiation in your new collection or product range?
In our opinion, the perception of jewelry is gradually changing. People are now looking for something that is really meaningful for them instead of flashy and big gems. The cost and the stones used are not enough anymore. We are thinking about what this person would wear after 10 years when making our designs. If the meaning of the stone, story, and design of the current can also make sense after 10 years, we will be successful. Therefore, timeless Istanbul is very valuable for us.
There is a regular plan we have arranged from January to December every year for 16.10 Istanbul. New year series, 8 March collections, and district collections form the main roof in our collection. Apart from that, the hidden points of inspiration we encounter in our travels or sources can create a new collection in an instant. For example, We are preparing a collection of Istanbul’s summer evening, during this summer. Floral patterns, minimal pieces, and pastel colors will reflect the spirit of the summer.
In our opinion, the perception of jewelry is gradually changing. People are now looking for something that is really meaningful for them instead of flashy and big gems.