HOW DOES ISTANBUL INFLUENCE YOUR CREATIVE PROCESS?
Istanbul isn’t just where I live-it’s where I grew up, where I learned to see beauty in contrast. This city has a soul. The layers of history, the clash of cultures, the raw energy-it all seeps into my work. I walk the same streets that have inspired artists for centuries, and yet they still surprise me. Istanbul teaches you to embrace duality-old and new, East and West, chaos and calm-and that blend is at the heart of every design I create.
WHAT GAP DID YOU SEE IN THE MARKET WHEN YOU LAUNCHED KISMET BY MILKA?
Back in 2009, fine jewelry felt too formal, too out of reach. It didn’t reflect the woman I was or the women around me-bold, independent, unapologetically themselves. I wanted to shake things up. I saw a space to create designs that felt personal and empowering-jewelry that spoke to identity, not just status. It was never just about making something beautiful; it was about creating a new language for self-expression.
HOW DO YOU ENSURE EACH DESIGN TELLS A UNIQUE STORY WHILE RESONATING GLOBALLY?
Jewelry is emotion cast in form. Every design starts with a feeling-a moment, a memory, a truth. I draw from my own experiences, but also from universal themes that connect us all. The goal is always to create something that feels intimate and deeply personal, but still has the power to speak across cultures. I want people to see a design and feel like it was made just for them.
HOW DO YOU BALANCE TRADITIONAL TECHNIQUES WITH PUSHING CREATIVE BOUNDARIES?
We’re constantly walking that line. I’m proud to work with over 70 incredible artisans who carry generations of skill and tradition. Their hands bring precision, patience, and soul to every design. But we’re also not afraid to experiment-to take risks, challenge what jewelry can look like, and how it makes you feel. It’s about respecting where we come from while always looking forward.
WHAT KEY MOMENTS PROPELLED KISMET BY MILKA’S INTERNATIONAL SUCCESS?
Paris was a turning point-it was our introduction to the world. Then came partnerships with global pioneers of retail like Harrods and Bergdorf Goodman, which helped us expand our footprint. But honestly, it’s our commitment to authenticity that has opened the most doors. Our designs speak to people because they come from a real place. And yes, seeing names like Madonna and Meghan Markle wear our jewelry was surreal, but what matters most is that it resonates with women everywhere-famous or not.
HOW DO YOU TRANSLATE YOUR PHILOSOPHY OF UNIQUENESS INTO YOUR DESIGNS AND COMPANY CULTURE?
Kismet by Milka has always been about challenging the norm. From day one, we’ve believed jewelry should be about self-expression-not rules. That belief shapes every design, and it’s also how we work as a team. We embrace individuality. We encourage bold ideas. We create space for people to show up as they are. Our goal isn’t just to follow trends-it’s to create designs that start conversations and push boundaries.
WHAT WERE SOME OF THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES YOU FACED AS A FEMALE FOUNDER, AND WHAT DID THEY TEACH YOU?
Like many women building something in a male-dominated industry, I’ve faced moments where I wasn’t taken seriously. It’s a reality we don’t talk about enough-this isn’t just my story, it’s something most women experience in one form or another. But those challenges taught me to trust my instincts, to speak up even when it felt uncomfortable, and to never shrink myself to fit someone else’s expectations. That fight-against being underestimated-became the spirit of our brand.
LOOKING AHEAD, HOW DO YOU ENVISION THE EVOLUTION OF KISMET BY MILKA?
Fifteen years in, and I still feel like we’re just getting started. We’re dreaming bigger, designing bolder, and stepping into new territories-like our London flagship, which is such an exciting milestone. But at the heart of everything is connection. Whether it’s someone discovering Kismet by Milka for the first time or a longtime client finding a new favorite design, we want every design to feel meaningful. The journey ahead is full of possibilities- and we’re moving forward with purpose.
