Selin Ecer tells the story of her jewellery design adventure, a journey stretching from a childhood intertwined with art to the brand that bears her own name.
We talked to Selin Ecer about her jewellery design collection and the story of her brand
Ms Ecer, first of all, thank you for agreeing to this interview. Could you briefly introduce yourself? How did your interest in jewellery design begin?
I come from a family of artists and was born in Istanbul. I grew up surrounded by art from childhood. I think this familiarity of the eye is the biggest factor behind these collections today. Thanks to my father, Prof. Dr. Erdinç Bakla, who devoted years of his life to sculpture and ceramic art, a breeze of art always blew through our home.
I have always had an incredible interest in jewellery and accessory design since I was little. Over time, this childhood curiosity became my professional career plan. For instance, I always followed the products in magazines and always found myself at the jewellery counters in stores. I have always thought this way: designing jewellery is my greatest dream, and seeing the jewellery I design on someone is my greatest happiness. While continuing my Media and Communication studies at university, I always had in mind a world of jewellery that I aimed to build in the future.
Why did you choose jewellery design? Could you briefly tell us about the founding of the brand?
During my university years, I continued my Media and Communication studies on the one hand. At the same time, I started taking classes in silver casting at an art gallery. I also attended jewellery design seminars and certificate programmes.
I first shared my jewellery with people at a solo exhibition I opened in an art gallery. That exhibition was then followed by various group exhibitions. My first job offers came thanks to these exhibitions.
Because every dream that comes true in life shows you the way to the next one. I created special collections for Turkey’s leading textile companies.
Later, about 3 years ago, I founded the Selin Ecer brand under my own name. I can say that since that day, I have been breathing jewellery. For me it is a lifestyle; my jewellery is always with me, on my travels and in my daily life. And my brand continues to move forward with great pleasure through the new designs I create. As success comes, your commitment to your work and your motivation grow. What is more, the more people you see wearing your jewellery, the happier you become.
Do you wear the jewellery you have designed in your daily life?
-Jewellery is indispensable for me; a life without it, without feeling it, is unthinkable.
In fact, I choose my jewellery before my clothes and put together outfits to match it. In my daily life, I generally prefer simple, pared-back pieces. Fine chain necklaces and tiny silver earrings are my must-haves. But if I’m going somewhere special, I usually like to wear big, eye-catching pieces. For example, I enjoy wearing a necklace with large natural stones or one of my oversized earrings, which are very much in fashion right now.
In short, accessories are the most important detail that completes an outfit. Following the day’s trends and fashion is of course important, but what matters most is how you feel wearing that jewellery.
Are there brands you have designed for besides your own?
-At the moment, I am continuing my work only under my own brand. In previous years, I designed for Turkey’s leading textile chains and also created bespoke pieces for individuals. But now I continue to present my designs entirely through the Selin Ecer brand.
There are also Selin Ecer sections in 10 different stores across Turkey. Talks on new projects and points of sale are continuing and growing all the time.
We also see your jewellery in TV series; which series are these? Of course, they choose the accessories according to the costumes. But is there a series character for whom you said “this piece is perfect for this character”? Or could you give us an example of a favourite?
-With the TV series, the Selin Ecer brand’s recognition increased considerably. When products match the characters’ styles and are combined beautifully with the clothes they wear, they become more popular. In this way, the products come to be chosen by many people. It makes me especially happy to see my designs being chosen by a growing number of celebrities.
My jewellery has been worn most by names such as Bade İşcil, Mine Tugay, Nur Fettahoğlu, Elçin Sangu, Demet Özdemir and Can Yaman. Seeing my jewellery on these people is truly gratifying.
Besides women, I also created a special collection for men. We introduced those pieces through Can Yaman’s series Erkenci Kuş. I received very good feedback from men as well, and thanks to this, it was a great introduction and start in the men’s category too. At the same time, the products and the brand became even more popular with Demet Özdemir and Elçin Sangu.
Is there an international name in jewellery design whom you follow?
–I constantly follow jewellery brands and innovations. Cartier and Boucheron are my favourites.
Finally, Ms Ecer, where can jewellery lovers find your designs? Is there anywhere besides your website where they can reach them?
Website: https://www.selinecer.com/
Instagram: @byselinecer are our social media accounts.
We also have showrooms in the following locations;
Showroom: Fenerbahçe, Istanbul.
Openhaus Nişantaşı.
Atelier Harmonie – Büyükçekmece, Istanbul.
Gizia Store, Cyprus.
S9 Boutique, Ankara.
Astrantia Boutique, Datça.
Things Boutique, Gaziantep.
Tuwamahal, Kaş.
Zarife, Bodrum.
Selin Ecer’s 2019/20 Fall-Winter Collection
In her 2019/20 Fall-Winter Collection, Selin Ecer brings together natural stones, leather and silver motif pieces in a brand-new, original collection.
She greets the season with earthy tones chosen with inspiration from nature, as well as designs in grey and black that reflect winter. The collection speaks of young, dynamic women who make a difference and also turn heads.
With the arrival of autumn, the designer comes to the fore with her leaf-motif earrings and rings. At the same time, the sparkling silver and leather bracelets she designed especially for the winter season are on their way to becoming the focal point for jewellery lovers.
Her statement necklaces and hoop earrings adorned with natural stones, designed especially for the winter season, are sometimes paired with fluttering butterflies. At other times, they meet birds that represent freedom.
Many of the designer’s special designs appeal to those who follow trends closely. With her innovations and distinctive interpretation, Selin Ecer looks set to be the centre of attention for fashion and jewellery lovers this winter.
If you would like to see more designs by Selin Ecer, who first presented her jewellery designs to the public at her solo exhibition, you can scroll through the images below.
Sources of inspiration in Selin Ecer’s jewellery design
The strongest theme to emerge from the interview is the influence of art passed down through the family. Having grown up surrounded by art thanks to her father, sculptor and ceramic artist Prof. Dr. Erdinç Bakla, Ecer took silver casting classes while studying media and communication at university. She also attended jewellery design seminars. She then shared her first pieces at a solo exhibition in an art gallery. In Selin Ecer’s approach to jewellery design, jewellery is a piece chosen before the clothes, the starting point of an outfit.
You can also take a look at our Valentine’s Day jewellery article for the designer’s special occasion collection. For the history of jewellery and its place in different cultures, Wikipedia’s jewellery entry is a rich resource.