fbpx
Menu
Escapes

“Seeking Pure Nature and Remarkable Architecture”, by Ilke Beyaz

İlke Beyaz, Creative Director and the designer of Figure, pursued her career as a producer for leading brands in the fashion industry after working as costume and style consultant in commercials and music videos for years. Following her five years of experience as Creative Projects Manager at Vogue and GQ Turkey, the designer has decided to initiate a brand that reflects her inspirations throughout the years and her love for art and craftsmanship. One of the biggest motivations of Figure is to contribute to female employment.

Created with RNI Films app. Preset ‘Agfa Scala 200’
  1. Tell us briefly about the identity and philosophy of your brand? How is it inspired and influenced by the cornerstones of the store this summer, craft, culture & creativity? 

Figure is an elevated lifestyle brand focused on creating one of a kind pieces with the great harmony of traditional techniques and modern design. All rugs are hand-woven by Turkish artisan women aiming to preserve craftsmanship which has been continued in Anatolia for centuries but almost forgotten today.

Inspired by the history and figures from oldest civilisations, each design has it’s own story gathered around the abundant fields of Anatolian culture. Using motifs that were used in ages sembolising good luck, wealth and protection from evil eyes, Figure brings timeless designs and premium fabrics to modern houses. Every piece is unique, %100 ethically produced and made with love. So it’s a perfect match with the creative energy that the store brings.

2. How is it tied to travel?

To explore and sop up all the heritage of the civilisations who once lived is the most inspiring aspect of the brand.

3. For what reasons do you travel? 

Mostly to escape all negative mess of daily cosmopolite life. I often give priority to places with pure nature and remarkable architecture.

4. What are some of your most unforgettable escapes that have shaped and inspired the identity of your brand?

Anatolian craftsmanship and sembolism are in the DNA’s of Figure. So for me, to get to meet artisans in the village of Milas and Cappodocia was really eye opening.

5. Where do you search for inspiration? 

I believe that inspiration is not something to search for. In a random place, I get influenced by the food I eat, a fabric someone wears or a piece of nature and adapte them to moodbaords that i create in my mind.

6. What’s one piece from your own collection that you always bring on travels?

It’s not always an option to carry a wool rug with me to travels : ) but I surely bring my Ipad for some sketches. You never know when something will hit your eyes and mind.

7. What about a piece that’s perfect for a holiday on the Turkish riviera? 

Our Farilya rug takes its name from Gündoğan (one of the most beautiful bays of Bodrum Turkey) It would be perfect to picture a sunset, joyful friends, delicious Aegean food and laughter on it.

8. What are some of your favorite escapes here at home, hidden gems in Turkey?

Bodrum has always been a special place for me and I know that you should never visit and tell your hidden gems : )

9. Share with us one of your favorite travel memories or anecdotes…

My trips to Barcelona have definitely been the most spontaneous and enjoyable times. I can’t forget my holiday when I made new friends, climbed the Tibidabo mountain on a night full of stars and watched the sparkling city together.

10. Favorite travel film or book?

While watching Sideways you can whitness a road trip full of existential crises with a slightly romantic touch and almost smell the Californian wine.

Nikos Kazancakis’s Zorba the Greek is the best book to remind your self that simple pleasures count the most

“I was happy, I knew that. While experiencing happiness, we have difficulty in being conscious of it. Only when the happiness is past and we look back on it do we suddenly realize – sometimes with astonishment – how happy we had been.” (Zorba The Greek)

11. Where are you dreaming of escaping to next? 

I would love to be at French riviera and visit Matisse’s La Chapelle du Rosaire in Vence.

12. What does traveling mean to you? 

Joy, freedom, endless curiosity…