The Grand Bazaar’s Treasure: Boybeyi Jewellery

Lately, I come across  Boybeyi, the  jewellry brand established in 1881 pretty frequently. The well-rooted heritage coupled with pleasant and contemporary designs led us to organizing this interview.

It was pretty exciting to walk into the dome shaped building,  old pudding shop now serving as one of the brand’s flag ship stores. Mete Boybeyi, 4th generation jeweler was our contact point for this interview.

1881 is the date of your company’s establishement. Do you represent the 4th generation?
I represent the 4th generation. Boybeyi family has been involved with jewelry design since 1881. The family treats jewelry design as a form of art. The belief is that  our designs and the creativity embedded is a sign of our loyalty to our traditions and our history.Anatolian cultural heritage and the impeccable hand craftsmanship of the Ottomans have been the source of inspiration for the designs supported by infinite creativity.

Where does the name originate from?
Family history traces back to the Turkish tribal communities that migrated to Anatolian land in 1071. In 1516, following the Otomans’ victory at War of Mercidabık, urban life initaited in the region of Kilis. In 1672, with the mandate of the Sultan, Turkmen tribesmen located to Kilis and the environs.Boybeyi family has been one of the Oğuz clan people who came to reside in this region.

We came across at least five shops in the Bazaar. Why do you have all these seperate locations ? Do you have shops outside the Bazaar or in other cities?
The Covered Bazaar is located in a world wide acclaimed region through out the history  and is one of the first shopping center. Its’ popularity may vary but it stil remains as an alluring must see place for foreigners.

For us, to be located in the Bazaar is an integral part of our heritage and is a huge honor. Also a strategical location. We have five diferent showrooms because we cater for the needs of various different clients.We will keep on welcoming our clients at the Bazaar. We provide transportation to the Bazaar for our clients in special shuttles as well as exhibiting our pieces at our clients’ addresses. We believe that this approach is unique to us and in harmony with our heritage as compared to being accessible in shopping malls. We believe it helps build loyalty and leverages client satisfaction.We understand that this place used to be the location for a traditional pudding house. Please tell us a bit more about this spot that can be described as the jewel of the Bazaar.This building is known as the Çukur Muhallebeci  /  hollow pudding house for the reason that it used to belong to a pudding house. It even served as a resting area for Sultan Mahmut the Second. The building which was destroyed during the devastating fire of Mercan was later restored and was used as a security tower, police station and fire station

It is located at the intersection of Mahmutpaşa and Kuyumcular Street entrances. The construction is of wood  and is well recognized with its copper dome. It is named as hollow because the area happens to be the lowest part of the Bazaar.Bought by the Boybeyi family, a devout believer and advocate of history, in 1970, the building has been restored and has been positoned as one of the flagship stores of the brand.These days, in order to promote the building world-wide  and to create a well-deserved reference in books; the family is supervising an extended research and prominent historians are following it closely.

Who is your designer? How do you create your collections?
I am the head designer. I define corporate strategy, direct and shape design accordingly. We review global trends taking into consideration our design skills , our collection of stones, our clients’ needs and wishes . I determine our strategy and design routes. This is my hobby as well as my field of expertise.As I design, I dedicate my soul, my spirit and all my inspiration. And this is the real factor  that differentiates us.

I was born in 1964. I spent my childhood here in the Bazaar alongside my father. My interest in art  all through high schoool years was very engaging .It was very obvious that I would inherit the business from my father one day. I dedicated all my time to learning the fine details of jewelry art and the gusto embedded. I used to watch the craftsman work getting carried away in long discussions with them.My passion for history, research, art and what is antique merged with the family heritage of creativity to give life to Boybeyi. Love for one’s profession, focusing on the client as first and utmost priority inevitably begets a unique service and quality standard.These also reflect our core corporate values. As of 2010, we are initiating new colaborations with various universities and ngos to discover, support and create job opportunities for young talents.

Currently, we are supervising various projects to further promote the Bazaar locally as well as globally, to position it as a popular destination of interest, and to enhance its’ presence as a historical heritage.

Unfortunately we witness a lot of fake manufacturing within the Bazaar. What is your perspective on such jewelry?
This topic does disturb us. As a party involved on the creative design side of the process, we do feel pretty upset. We do know that our designs  are also copied or at least imitated. However, the critical responsibility is with the client. As long as there is demand for fake replicas, they will be manufactured.

What differenitates you?
Jewelry as a concept is rare and promises to be precious. Therefore we produce in very limited numbers.For most of our designs,we produce only one piece.We serve those people who seek different and unique pieces, who are selective in choice and treat jewelry as a form of art. As a result, we, in general, prefer to design striking pieces with startling dimensions .We believe that the owner of the piece should feel privileged and important. An everlasting piece is one that gains value as time passes, that makes a statement as worn, and enhances the beauty of the individual that carries it.

We name it  as pieces of art that will be handed over from one generation to the other with passion without losing any of its worth.In additon to these, we want our service quality to differentiate us from all other design houses. The value we allocate to our client should be sensed upon enrtry through the door and our clients should be treated as the king or the queen.We are willing to visit our clients wherever is convenient for them and  to exhibit our designs wherever they feel comfortable.We even provide special transportation means to them as well as valet service at the Bazaar.As mentioned, every moment should be pleasant and hastle free for our client at time of investment. To preserve this moment and to initiate a medium of trust on the first day is our business. This understanding and service  principle is the differentiation factor. And we will keep investing in it.

Any plans to  promote the brand overseas?
Of course we would like to do it. Currently, there are many ongoing 3rd party ventures who help display our designs overseas.

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