Hello Sustainers! Welcome to the first epide of our sustainability journey in Ankara. The Bilkent Center Vintage Days were the first sustainability supportive event we visited on October 23rd. There was a wide range of local businesses, handcrafted goods, and vintage pieces that we interacted with. Besides discovering the goods themselves, we sought out the individuals behind the business in an effort to learn more about their background, and how they came to be where they are now.
Every year in October, Bilkent Center hosts similar activities. Although the purpose of a shopping mall is to encourage people to consume, such events allow local companies in the area to find a voice and demonstrate the value of this to visitors. For that reason we appreciate these kind of events. Also, the car that is on the photo is a vintage car and put there to create an atmosphere of vintage days. 🚗✨
Before we start, a brief explanation about
Why should you support local businesses & Its relation to sustainability:
By easing the costs of storage and transportation, strengthening the social fabric of our neighborhoods, and limiting the development of strip malls that can encroach on open space, local economies safeguard the environment. 🌱
It also feels nice to support a local company owner and know they genuinely care about you spending your money on their passion. Most small business owners consider their business to be their life's job. It's their tears and sweat, their pressure and joy...
We will create a more comprehensive guide for these matters and provide it to you shortly so that you can shop mindfully. Stay tuned! 🤍
The four locals we liked the most are listed below for you! Let’s hear their stories together!
Shall we? 👂🏻
1) Slightly Colorful, Quite Ethnic: Kaguya Art!
Our first local business that we would like to recommend you is Kaguya Art! Seyma Altınkaya, a woman entrepreneur, founded her own business Kaguya which is known for its exquisite handmade ceramic products.
She says that ‘’In the beginning, I was just trying to make crafts on my small nightstand in a 10 square-meter room yet with big ambitions.’’
One step closer to achieving these big goals she mentioned, Seyma established her own workshop in Ankara four months ago. Paintings, sculptures, ceramics, embroidery and many more ‘’slightly colorful, quite ethnic’’ artworks are waiting for you!
The increasing number of women entrepreneurs like Seyma in Ankara made us inspired and proud at the same time. When we see such examples, it makes us extremely glad since, in the current location we live, it is challenging especially for women to follow their aspirations and obtain the professions they desire. All businesses who produce ethically and use concise, local materials are welcome here! 🌷
We have attached some photos of Seyma’s work. Kaguya also designs personalized products that no one has but you. Stay special :)
★★★★★/5
Address: Oran Mh. Hayri Çeçen Cd. Atatürk Sitesi 7C Çankaya/Ankara
Contact: instagram.com/kaguyaartt/
2) Knitting Women: By Big Momma's Art
There is a reason why our second local business is in the second place! This knitting business was founded by two women entrepreneurs, Hülya Akbıyık and Sebnem Karaaslan.
Using traditional motifs and warm colors in their knitting, the two women entrepreneurs embody all kinds of knitting from sweaters to berets, from scarves to blouses...
Hülya and Sebnem, who are very close friends, one day said, "Why shouldn't we combine a subject we are talented with and open a business together?"
Good thing they said, because we loved the pieces they made! We have included a few examples for you below, if you send the colors and motifs according to your taste to Momma's Art, you can have pieces that everyone ask where you got them! ☺️
★★★★/5
Shopier: shop.shopalm.com/?m=bybigmommasart
Contact: 0 (505) 578 68 11
3) Carefully Selected, Timeless Pieces: Vetus Vintage
Vintage enthusiasts will be pleased with our news! Ankara is getting a new vintage store shortly! Sena Kireççi, who founded Vetus Vintage, believes that carefully choosed, timeless pieces are the greatest path to sustainability. ♻️
Sena claims: ''When we buy second-hand clothing instead of buying new, we avoid the environmental impacts of fiber cultivation and processing with reduces use of land, chemicals, and energy. Second-hand not only reduces carbon emissions, but it also avoids supporting unethical animal and human labor practices.''
With Vetus Vintage, which primarily sells leather jackets, trousers, and sweaters, you can complete the essential pieces in your wardrobe with second-hand items that are still in great condition!
Although Vetus Vintage has not yet opened a store, Sena has hopes of having one sometime soon!
The items that Vetus brought to Bilkent Center are on the bottom. Hope you love them :)
★★★★/5
Shopier: shopier.com/vetusvintage
Contact: instagram.com/vetusvintage
4) The Only Similarity is Its Reflection In the Mirror: Maf's Design!
From seasonal pieces to fashion accessories, Maf's Design has a range of products that will appeal to everyone!
Inspired by Jason Crandell's saying, "Yoga is a great opportunity to be curious about who you are", it is one of the vendors that brings together the most diverse products, from vases and trinkets about yoga to decorations with very colorful and different masks and bird motifs.
They create products made out of concrete all by themselves. Since the products are handmade, each one of them is one of a kind and unique.
They also arrange their workshops to teach how to convert concrete into many different things, from flowerpots to tiny trinkets for your home.
It is very important to support local businesses such as Maf's Design because its creator says ''All products are hand-made and ethically produced. When you buy something from locals you are aware that you are supporting fair conditions, fair wages and labor. This means a lot to us.''
You don't need to worry about what to buy for New Year, because we are here for you :)
As the Christmas season is approaching, we have added a few gift ideas you can get from Maf's Design. Hope you like them!
★★★★/5
Website: www.mafsdesign.com
Address: Aziziye Mh. Kuloglu Sk. Divan Apartmanı No:21/F Ankara, Turkey
♲ END OF CHAPTER ONE! ♲
These were the 4 businesses we liked the most during our Bilkent Center Vintage Days. We have many more places to visit and stories to tell. We stand by everyone who supports sustainability in some way, wants to do something locally, and makes ethical production. We hope you will be with us in our future stories. Goodbye sustainers until our next route! 💌 🌱
Overall Experience: ★★★★/5
(these stars are purely symbolic and based on our support to local businesses as they pave the way for against fast fashion norms becoming more strong.)
Bilkent Center Website: bilkentcenter.com.tr
Address: Üniversiteler, 1597. Cd. NO. 3, 06800 Çankaya/Ankara
Contact: (0312) 266 05 16