Thanks to major events like Silmo Istanbul, not only are new collaborations established, but the industry also gets a chance to refresh itself through all the innovations the fair has to offer.

Hello Mr. Kaan & Mr. Esen, could you briefly introduce yourselves to our readers and share how you entered the eyewear industry?
Kaan Parlakçakıl: Hello, I was born in 1979 in Istanbul. After completing my education at Istanbul University, I started working in the textile industry. I was introduced to the eyewear sector in 2007, when I joined the wholesale sales and marketing department at Merve Optik. Later, together with my business partner Esen Demir, we established Atölye Gözlük.

Esen Demir: I was born in 1982 in Istanbul. After finishing my education in 1998, I entered the industry under the guidance of my uncle Arif Demir and worked with various brands. In 2008, I opened my first optical store. After growing to four branches, I transferred the stores and, in 2014, co-founded Atölye Gözlük with my partner Kaan Parlakçakıl.

Could you tell us about the founding process, development, and industry vision of Atölye Gözlük?
Atölye Gözlük is one of Turkey’s leading distributors focused on independent and niche eyewear brands. Since our establishment, we’ve been carefully selecting and bringing some of the most exclusive global eyewear brands to the Turkish market. Our collections emphasize quality, design, and craftsmanship, offering a vision that goes beyond the ordinary. Our goal is not only to provide products but also to develop sales strategies and collaborations that authentically represent each brand’s identity and make a difference in the industry. We continue to grow through a selective distribution model, sustainable relationships with our boutique partners, and a customer-centric approach.

You are the official distributor in Turkey for many globally renowned brands like Moscot, Linda Farrow, and Jacquemus. Could you tell us more about these brands and their key characteristics?
Our portfolio includes globally recognized names such as Gentle Monster, Moscot, Eyevan 7285, Ahlem, Peter and May, Jacques Marie Mage, Chrome Hearts, Garrett Leight, and Vanity Effect. What they all have in common is a commitment to high quality, strong brand storytelling, and unique design philosophies. Each brand stands out in the eyes of Turkish consumers with its distinctive narrative and striking aesthetics. These are not just eyewear brands – they are lifestyle icons. With meticulously crafted details and a strong emphasis on both artistry and aesthetic integrity, our brands distinguish themselves in the eyewear world.

What kind of marketing strategy do you follow when positioning your brands in the Turkish market?
We develop unique and effective marketing strategies tailored to the identity and target audience of each brand. Our priority is to establish the right communication language and visibility to support the brands’ long-term success. We adopt a selective distribution model and place the brands only in locations that align with their DNA, values, and target demographics. This way, each brand finds a platform where it can tell its story authentically, express itself fully, and build meaningful connections.

Which communication tools do you find most effective for promotion? How do you inform your customers about campaigns and new developments?
Social media, press collaborations, boutique events, and launches are among the key tools we use to increase brand visibility and help our brands connect with their audiences. Through creative events and projects designed specifically for each brand, we reach both industry professionals and end consumers, delivering the brand narrative through the most effective channels. Additionally, we regularly provide our business partners with up-to-date information, global trends, and relevant content – not only to keep them informed about all developments but also to strengthen communication at the point of sale.

How do you manage your collaborations with optical stores? What special advantages and support do you offer?
We select our retail partners with great care and provide them with training and marketing support to ensure they deliver experiences that align with the identity of our brands. We maintain constant communication with these partners and prioritize building long-term collaborations that create mutual value. We also keep our partners regularly informed about new collections and support them in in-store presentations and visual merchandising. We do our utmost to ensure each brand is properly positioned and represented in the most effective way in the spaces where it meets the customer.

Are there any new brands or different business models among Atölye Gözlük’s future goals?
Yes, absolutely. We embrace a selective growth approach. For this reason, we aim to collaborate with new brands that will enrich our portfolio without conflicting with our existing structure. At the same time, we strive to continuously offer innovation to our customers by diversifying the range of brands we represent and by introducing them to new perspectives. In addition, we are further developing our own brand, “Vanity Effect,” with a unique approach, contributing to the sector both in terms of design and marketing. We would also like to highlight that positioning this Turkish brand in the international market and bringing a value that originates from our country into the industry is a special source of motivation for us.

How do you evaluate the current state of the optical industry in Turkey? What do you think the sectoral trends will be?
We observe that the industry is evolving globally towards a more creative, design-oriented, and user experience-centered direction. In Turkey, there is also significant potential and a growing awareness in this regard. Consumers no longer settle for simply buying a pair of glasses; they value the brand’s story, the experience it offers, its design approach, and its sense of style. At this point, there is a wide space for development where independent and niche brands can express themselves and stand out with original collections and strong brand narratives. We believe that these brands will play an even more influential role in the future of the industry.

Could we get your thoughts on the 11th edition of Silmo Istanbul Optical Fair, and your comments on the fair’s contribution to the sector?
Over time, Silmo Istanbul Optical Fair has become one of the most important meeting points of the industry. The increasing number of domestic and international participants reveals Turkey’s potential to become a significant hub in the region. Thanks to major events like Silmo Istanbul, new collaborations are established, and the industry is practically renewed through all the innovations introduced at the fair. At Atölye Gözlük, we consider Silmo Istanbul to be an indispensable network for the optical sector.

Thank you for this valuable interview. Lastly, what are your thoughts on our magazine, 4 your eyes?
Your magazine 4 your eyes stands out as a highly valuable and reliable source both for keeping up with industry developments and for sharing updates about our company. With its informative and inspiring content, it contributes greatly to us as industry professionals. We wish continued success in your publishing journey.

May 2025