SEVAN BIÇAKÇI

PAPER You were born and raised in Samatya. Could you tell us a bit about your childhood home, your neighborhood, and the relationships among neighbors?

Sevan Bıçakçı It was truly a great fortune for me. Growing up while feeling the historical fabric of Istanbul shaped my life. Just a few steps outside my house were the Yedikule Walls. Our neighbors included Muslims, Armenians, and Greeks. This diversity opened doors to gaining different perspectives as I tried to understand life and events. I had the opportunity to experience firsthand how different cultures could blend and transform together.

P You started as an apprentice at a jeweler in the Grand Bazaar at the age of 12. Could you tell us about those days? What aspects of the Grand Bazaar impressed you the most?

S.B. After attending primary school in Samatya, my education didn’t progress much further, and my father decided I should learn a craft. I first worked as an apprentice under Ohannes Usta, and then I moved to Hovsep Çatak, the master who shaped my life. Hovsep Usta was a patient and good teacher. I learned the rules of the craft and life lessons from him. Back then, the workshops in Çuhacıhan had a strict hierarchy. Masters, journeymen, and apprentices were ranked by age and seniority. The working conditions were tough; we worked in small, airless workshops, but the friendships made everything more bearable. The Bazaar was both our playground and our school of life. Looking back, I’m glad I took that path.

P How did you decide to become a jeweler who challenges traditional conventions? What was the turning point?

S.B. With the technical knowledge and skills I gained from my masters, I decided to establish my own workshop. While working on models for others, I realized I couldn’t fully reap the rewards of my efforts without producing my own jewelry. This shaped my decision to become independent. However, the process was challenging; there were times when I nearly hit rock bottom financially. During that period, due to high inflation, counterfeit products were widespread, and merchants were hesitant to take risks—such work didn’t appeal to me. At that point, my fiancée Ani, who is now my wife, provided both financial and emotional support, enabling me to steer away from commercial products and focus on original designs that laid the foundation for my brand. By interpreting Istanbul, Hagia Sophia, architectural structures, and nature, I developed our engraving technique and unique ring form. I left the shared workshop I was working in and set up a new space in Nuruosmaniye, where the Sevan Bıçakçı brand was born.

P How did you first expand internationally?

S.B. Our international expansion involved several key turning points. However, turning these moments into success and gaining recognition globally was possible thanks to strong teamwork. Emre Dilaver, who joined the team early on, played a significant role in taking the first steps to establish the brand in America and worldwide. My brother Penyamin Bıçakçı managed the workshop, directing the production process. My cousins Herman and Arman Bıçakçı made significant contributions in sales. Additionally, we turned our dreams into designs with the talented individuals who worked with us in our workshop. The awards we received increased the brand’s recognition and validated that we were on the right path. Notably, the Couture Awards significantly boosted our visibility in America. Over time, we felt the positive impact of these awards and teamwork in various parts of the world.

P Your headquarters is still near the Grand Bazaar. Can you tell us about the differences between the past and present of the Bazaar, which has changed over time?

S.B. The area has undergone a transformation over the years due to economic developments, migrations, and shifts in life dynamics. I don’t think it’s right to approach this with nostalgic longing. The Grand Bazaar has also evolved during this process. While it was previously a center focused on craftsmanship, it has now transformed into a place where sweet and confectionery shops are prominent. Merchants see this transformation as a solution to align with visitors’ preferences.

P Your loyalty to the historical and cultural fabric of the Grand Bazaar and its surroundings is evident in your work, as seen in your “Hagia Sophia” collection. Could you share the details of how Hagia Sophia has influenced your designs?

S.B. These designs are not directly inspired by Hagia Sophia but rather reflect my upbringing in Suriçi. Since childhood, my relationship with domed architecture, passageways, walls, and historical structures has manifested in my designs. The details are partly from my imagination and partly from the remnants of my dreams. The historical and cultural texture of Hagia Sophia and its surroundings is a reflection of my childhood spent in this region and the sensory accumulation I developed during that time.

P Does today’s Istanbul inspire you and influence your designs?

S.B. Absolutely. Istanbul’s layered historical texture has always been a source of inspiration for me. The coexistence of traces from the past with modern life naturally finds a place in my designs. Over time, mythology, nature, art, and love have also become sources of inspiration. However, the unique character of Istanbul continues to be an integral part of my work.

P Which mosques, churches, or structures in Istanbul would you recommend visiting?

S.B. I don’t see myself as someone who should prescribe such things, but I can make a suggestion: if you find yourself in Suriçi, just take a moment to observe your surroundings. Leave your phone in your pocket and truly take in what’s around you. You might discover treasures and structures you hadn’t noticed before. Or revisit a place you think you know well, read about it again, and recall its history. It will be an enriching experience for your soul. Loving Istanbul in this way is almost impossible not to do.

P Lastly, what kind of life do you lead in Istanbul today? Where do you like to go, and what do you enjoy doing?

S.B. When I’m in Istanbul, I’m usually at the workshop, even on Saturdays. Working on new designs or producing various objects is both an educational and enjoyable process. I work with different materials, from wood to silk, and the production times for these objects are quite open-ended—sometimes months, sometimes years. These works are both a hobby and a form of therapy for me. This process also serves as a research and development area for learning new ideas and techniques to incorporate into my jewelry designs. Creating something new every day and seeing it worn by someone else continues to excite and motivate me. I also enjoy spending time in nature, on the sea, and in good company. From street food to fine dining, I’ve always had a special interest in great cuisine. Even when dieting, I never stop appreciating a good meal. In my personal life, I am outgoing and love connecting with people and living life to the fullest.