BITANEM

"A word of affection learned in Istanbul. It literally means "my only one". A single word that sums it all, when something so particular, becomes a world. Includes people, experiences and cities. Bitanem is my story. My only story." "Bitanem" is a collection that was inspired by my experience living in Istanbul. It draws a line between traditional and contemporary, intricacy and minimalism, the exposed and the unseen. It tells the story of the city, of the women living in it, the past and the future, the combination of cultures and how it all together becomes magic. How my life was taken over by that magic. The pieces combine different hand-crafted techniques, such as crochet, patchwork embroidery and draping with paint. Some of the materials used are silk organza, cotton hamam towels (used for the traditional turkish baths), vintage jacquard, antique embroideries found at the Grand Bazaar, as well as hand-made organza and paper flowers.