2 Cool Founders Talk Style Rules, Favourite Brands & More
Beste: Leatherwork has always held a special place in our lives. Our father is one of the oldest leather craftsmen in Istanbul, and we grew up in his workshop – we deeply admired him, especially Merve, who always dreamt of building a fashion brand that would propel his legacy into the international arena.
Merve: We learned everything from him – the craft, the materials, the mindset. But what he really gave us was a set of values: care, precision, patience and ethics. He never rushed anything. That mentality continues to shape how we design and produce today.
Beste: Around the time we decided to launch, the market felt overcrowded and overpriced. We couldn’t find beautiful, design-led pieces with heritage and authenticity at a fair price point. That’s where Manu Atelier began – not with a trend, but with a truth we lived every day.
Merve: It wasn’t a cinematic moment. I was already working as a design assistant, and I always knew I wanted to build a leather brand. It was 2013, we were wearing custom bags made by our father and handmade shoes from a small local atelier, simply because we couldn’t find anything that reflected both our taste and our values.
Beste: We started quietly with very little capital but with the aim of creating something for the woman we wanted to speak to: someone who appreciates design, values authenticity and doesn’t want to overpay. The process was emotional – and intense. We’re both perfectionists and rarely take no for an answer.
Merve: Back in 2013, the industry in Turkey was still very male-dominated. It raised eyebrows to see two young women not just involved but fully immersed – asking detailed questions, challenging suppliers and insisting on quality. Every choice we made – every tannery, every artisan – helped define the values of Manu Atelier.
Beste: The first piece we designed was the Pristine. It was structured, bold and surprisingly nostalgic – a reinterpretation of a bag our father designed 30 years ago. That piece opened the door to international retailers and connected us with women who cared about both style and story. Our favourite piece now is probably the Le Cambon. It feels like where we are today – softer, more self-assured and quietly powerful. The Cylinder also holds a special place in our hearts; it’s playful yet precise and represents our creative confidence.
Merve: Our bags are still made in our own atelier. We oversee every detail – from the weight of the leather to the stitching technique – and that level of control is incredibly rare in this industry. There’s no vague ‘handmade’ narrative. It actually is made by hand. The combination of strong design, accessible luxury, and our personal legacy is what makes Manu the brand it is today.
Beste: My first bag was a heart shaped belt bag made from an antiqued full grained leather in brown. We were lucky – we didn’t have to buy our first bags. Our father used to make them for us, often from leftover leathers in his workshop.
Merve: Mine was a small backpack which is a mix of brown leather and brown suede. I still have it and it looks great after all these years.
Beste: My Le Cambon 35 Deep Brown Suede is my everyday go-to now; it’s timeless, seasonless and works with everything. I tend to live in vintage Levi’s and a crisp white shirt from either Uniqlo, Zara, Massimo Dutti or Common Leisure.
Merve: Lately, my go-to everyday bag has been the Le Cambon East West – any colour, any material. It's just that perfect blend of ease and elegance. I also find myself reaching for the LC size 40 quite a lot. There's something about its bold dimensions that instantly elevates even the simplest look.
Beste: I love the idea of having a strong capsule wardrobe – pieces you return to time and again. To keep it personal, I like add something seasonal: a different fabric, a new silhouette or a bag in a bold tone. A good bag is the bedrock of every stylish look.
Merve: I think of capsule wardrobes as a visual vocabulary, a base language that lets you express new things over time. I like to play with texture and shape. Sometimes it’s about introducing a sculptural bag from one of our seasonal drops, other times it’s a vintage men’s shirt or unexpected layering.
Beste: Fit and fabric are so important – but confidence is also key in making an outfit look stylish and expensive, regardless of the price. Nothing elevates a simple look more than the way you carry it off.
Merve: I always pay attention to proportions and posture – the dialogue between fit and how you move in the piece. Even the most understated outfit can look elevated when the lines are clean, the materials feel rich and there’s an ease to how you wear it.
Beste: When I’m feeling uninspired, I retreat into myself, trying to make sense of who I am. I watch people – women, especially – with quiet curiosity. I wander through neighbourhoods like Çukurcuma and Galata, where we built the brand and spent so much of our youth. I walk, listen to music and let the city speak to me.
Merve: Over the years, I’ve built quite an extensive collection of vintage treasures. Mostly tailored blazers from the 90s – Giorgio Armani, Tom Ford’s Gucci, YSL, DKNY – along with antique jewellery and sunglasses. I have a passion for layering, bold accessories and statement shoes that make a look feel more personal.
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Beste: My advice for anyone looking to elevate their personal style is to start by oticing how you feel in certain outfits – not just how they look. Style isn’t about impressing anyone, it’s about feeling at ease and like yourself. Find silhouettes that work, then add your twist. You have to wear it like you mean it. That confidence is everything.
Merve: When I notice my style becoming monotonous, I tend to reflect on the feelings behind it. Dressing, for me, is an intimate expression – an outward reflection of the inner self. So, if my wardrobe starts to feel uninspired, I know something within me must be shifting. I allow myself that space, but I also try to gently reconnect with what brings me joy and translate those emotions into the pieces I choose to wear.
Beste: Making the everyday interesting is all in the details – it might be a piece of jewellery, an unexpected shoe, a vintage belt or a bag that adds texture or contrast.
Merve: I don’t believe in loud statements, but I do believe in thoughtful punctuation – an unexpected texture or silhouette or a piece that carries heritage in its seams.
Beste: My wardrobe is more timeless than trend led but there’s still room to play. I care about longevity – pieces that age well, that feel right year after year.
Merve: I care about the story, the cut, the shape and a sense of timelessness – something that can be passed down through generations. So, I would also say my wardrobe is more timeless than trend driven.
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Beste: Jewellery is another thing I like to invest in. Mara Paris has been a favourite of mine recently. I really love the statement rings and simple ear cuffs.
Merve: Charms Company is an Istanbul-based brand founded by Begum Yalcin that I really like.
Merve: Uniqlo is the high-street brand that stands out to me – I really appreciate the quality and cuts. And since Turkey is a textile-rich country, I often prefer to buy from local, no-name shops in Istanbul. The pure cotton fabrics feel incredibly soft and comfortable, and they hold their shape throughout the day.
Beste: I wear my Manu Atelier Ballet flats a lot, and I also wear my Converse X Commes Des Garcons on repeat. Our Duck Boots are also a great investment because they are so comfortable and lightweight.
Merve: I gravitate towards effortless staples with a twist – high-waisted tailored shorts in warm neutrals, crisp shirts with oversized cuffs, and of course, our Sandals du Jour or Manu Atelier Flip Flops. I also wear our Merve loafers quite a lot. Plus, my adidas Originals and other bold-coloured sneakers.
Beste: When it comes to eveningwear, I like to keep it simple. A strong silhouette, clean make-up, one statement piece. If it doesn’t feel like you, it won’t feel right no matter how beautiful it is. Evening looks should still feel like an extension of your everyday style, just with a little more edge.
Merve: Eveningwear, for me, is never about becoming someone else – it’s about amplifying the essence of who I already am. I gravitate toward pieces that carry a quiet strength, a certain architectural clarity, yet still leave room for softness. The key is intention. If something feels authentic in daylight, it should evolve, not disappear after dark. A structured bag that holds its form, a subtle drape that catches the light or a detail only visible up close.
Beste: We’re both inspired by women who have a natural sense of self – people who dress with instinct rather than effort. That’s the kind of energy we aim for, both in what we wear and what we design. Style is not a costume; it’s continuity. Evening just gives you permission to turn the volume up on elegance, confidence and mystery; without ever losing your own frequency.
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