Today we’d like to introduce you to Zeynep Saracoglu
Hi Zeynep, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Ceramic designer Zeynep Saracoglu comes from a family of
artists, and it shows. “When I produce a collection,” she says,
“I am driven by the growth and joy of life, the current that is
inside all of us.”
Her shop, Kulak Ceramic, first opened in 2012 in her native
Istanbul, Turkey, to produce and sell high quality, handmade porcelain tableware. When Kulak opened its Santa Monica location, on 14th
Street, earlier this year, virtually overnight it developed a following
and made a name among restaurant professionals, discerning home
cooks and the fashion and design world.
All of Kulak’s plates, cups, bowls and servers are handmade and
produced in house. Their aesthetic combines warm, vibrant colors
with classic, minimalist lines. Customers can choose and design their
own color combinations, and all of the pieces are dishwasher-safe,
making them perfect whether for everyday use or dressed up for special occasions.Kulak’s designs may look simple, but the production process is
painstaking and time consuming. The clay goes through three firings,
Zeynep explains, a total of 54 hours in the kiln. After each firing, it is
retouched to ensure perfection, so a single dish might take up to 10
days to complete.
It’s not just home cooks who have taken notice — so have top
chefs. “We specialize in collaborating with restaurants to design bespoke tableware,” Zeynep says. Among them, this summer, “We collaborated with Gjelina to create a set of custom tableware for their
new New York restaurant. We are so excited to see how our work will
be received!”
Zeynep’s background seems tailor-made for this business — and
for LA, where she and her family now live. She studied ceramics and
glass at the University of Fine Arts Mimar Sinan in Istanbul and later
worked in the Turkish film industry for 10 years, in positions from casting to set design and costuming.After giving birth to her first child, she says, “I took a break from
working in film to be home with my family, and my sister and I realized
our dream of establishing a ceramics workshop.” It was in the
Golden Horn, which Zeynep calls “the oldest district in Istanbul, with
a very rich and colorful history and a fusion of culture and religion.
“The energy and visual landscape are full of bright colors, all the
houses are brightly painted, and the streets are lively. This district was
a great inspiration for us and was the jumping off point into our first
porcelain collection.”
The work has been featured in fashion and design publications including
Maison Française, Marie Claire, Skylife, Bone Magazine and XOXO.
Success breeds success, and earlier this year Kulak worked with the
culinary studio, We Are Ona, for a popup at Paris Fashion Week. “Each
collaboration is an exciting way to see where our dishes can go and
how they can be perceived and enjoyed,” Zeynep explains.
“At the moment our focus is on tableware,” she says, “but we are
always inspired and experimenting with new ideas in color, shape and
function. It never ends. New surprises and excitement can be waiting
for you every time the kiln is opened!”
This fall, Santa Monica clients get to experience that thrill firsthand,
as Kulak opens for classes for both adults and children. “We hope that
with these classes, people can come and learn through the meditative
experience of working with clay,” Zeynep says.
After 10 years in the business, her work still brings her joy. “It is organic
and always changing,” she says, “and it is the rhythm that moves
us forward. That’s the force that inspires me.”
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It hasn’t been a smooth road. There have been several struggles along the way. Initially, sourcing high-quality materials that meet my standards was a significant challenge. Additionally, perfecting the craftsmanship to create each piece with the desired level of detail and uniqueness took considerable time and effort. Marketing the collection and reaching the right audience was another hurdle, as it required building a brand presence and convincing customers of the value and uniqueness of handmade porcelain. Despite these challenges, the journey has been rewarding, and each piece in the collection reflects the dedication and hard work invested
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I specialize in creating unique, handmade porcelain tableware. Porcelain is a particularly challenging material to work with, which is why many ceramicists avoid it due to its high wastage rate. However, because I focus primarily on dinnerware collections, I find great satisfaction in producing thin, lightweight, and elegant pieces.
What sets me apart is my dedication to crafting delicate and sophisticated items that stand out in their beauty and functionality. The joy of creating such refined pieces is immense, but my greatest pride comes from the satisfaction and happiness of those who own my collection.
I am also proud to collaborate with various chefs, providing my tableware to restaurants. Seeing my work grace the tables of fine dining establishments and creating custom designs for specific individuals or venues brings me immense pride and fulfillment. These partnerships allow me to infuse a unique and personal touch into my work, making each piece special.
Overall, the blend of craftsmanship, attention to detail, and the ability to create bespoke designs for clients are what truly set my work apart.”**
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
Yes, the Covid-19 crisis has taught me important lessons. During the pandemic, I changed countries, which was a significant risk. This decision came from a sense of courage or perhaps a certain indifference brought about by the pandemic.
This experience taught me the importance of adaptability and taking risks. It reminded me that life is unpredictable and that bold steps are sometimes necessary for growth.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kulakceramic.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kulakceramic?igsh=MWQ1ZGUxMzBkMA==
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kulakateliercafe?mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/kulak-ceramic-santa-monica
