When it comes to choosing a bag, would you rather carry something that truly represents you or just another brand name? Your fashion choices should reflect your individuality. Investing in bags that are thoughtfully crafted with care and skill brings a sense of authenticity to your style, compared to mass-produced options that prioritize profit over quality.
Before you spend your hard-earned money on an overpriced bag from a fast fashion brand, take a step outside your home and go for a walk. That’s what I did. Believe it or not, I stumbled upon a Tango dancer who is also a professional bag maker on that walk.
Erkan İçen’s career in leatherwork started as early as eleven years old. He began working alongside his father making leather shoes and then moved on to become an apprentice and be trained by Andonaki Zerhos, a Greek leather craftsman.
As he grew older and after completing his military service he decided to pursue a professional career in leather bag making. He studied at Aydin University for shoe making and leather crafts and continued on at Istanbul University for cultural heritage. From there he started working with companies like Deforme and Mosö who produced for Hotiç, and much more.
When I first entered his shop, I loved the unique designs that he created. I needed a bag for university, not too big but big enough to fit my novel and notebooks in, plus it must be brown. I was about to give up my search. He saw me upset and asked me what it was that I was searching for. I told him and he pulled out the right match from behind bags that were blocking my view of it. I was so happy with it that I bought it without any hesitation.
Other than the few bags that he sells in his shop, he custom-makes bags for companies outside of the country and sells them in bulk. However, I asked him if he could custom design a bag for individuals and he said of course he could.
What I love most about such places is that. When someone sees me they wonder where is that I got my bag from. They are intrigued because they have not seen this style before or anywhere.
This is fashion. It is all about being unique. Because let’s be honest, who doesn’t want to build a wardrobe with one-of-a-kind pieces?
The Istanbul-based designer offers custom orders and delivers throughout the Middle East. For more information, tap here.
