Meet Daga!
Lucky by existence, with a story and timeless! When Ayşe Daga’s interest in creating three-dimensional objects is combined with her interest in art history and archeology, it is not surprising that a jewelry brand like Daga emerged.
Even though the process of self-development and self-discovery took place between Istanbul – New York – London, the starting point of the brand is actually much more local. She was influenced by the cultural mosaic of Anatolia in her designs. “When I returned to Turkey from London, I was spending a lot of time in the Grand Bazaar.” she says, especially since her family isn’t from this profession, she does a lot of research and progresses by gaining more information every day.
Although Ayşe does not consider herself a strict fashion follower and says her style changes from time to time, she thinks that fashion consists of repetitive habits and expresses her personality. Although she prefers to use pieces in which she feels comfortable and happy, her greatest pleasure is to combine vintage pieces that she found in her mother’s and grandmother’s closet with new ones.
She says that she has been interested in art and painting for a long time and that she collects what she draws and looks back at them over time. “My curiosity about going back to the past started at a young age.”
Although her interest in three-dimensional work first led to industrial design, she made a radical decision with her interest in art and stones and started studying jewelry design. From her first year in London, her perspective on jewelry began to take shape and Daga’s first steps were taken with her final project. Although she is very happy to be where she is now, she thinks that this is just the beginning of the road. Like every product she designs, each collection should have a theme, just like an archeology museum each section has a different history. “My goal is to create a cabinet of craftsmanship rarities as a bridge to the archaeological past.”
In the past, I have always been interested in people’s use of objects that they believe to bring luck as jewelry. I can say that the pieces that best describe Daga are the mini sculptures I made by carving wax and stone inspired by history.
She likens the products she designs to the symbols of mythology. She likens the products she designs to the symbols of mythology. “What makes them mysterious is that they appear at different times throughout history, changing form and name.” Even the stone colors she uses are part of the stories of her designs.
‘Daga’ means good luck. “In the past, I have always been interested in people’s use of objects that they believe to bring luck as jewelry.” That’s why she sees each of her designs as an object of luck. Her interest in three dimensions is not limited to jewelry. “I can say that the pieces that best describe Daga are the mini sculptures I made by carving wax and stone inspired by history.”