Meet Zeynep Orberk Büyükuğur, the visionary founder and creative director of Oriental Monkey, a jewelry brand that beautifully intertwines the mystique of the East with the aesthetics of the West. Zeynep’s journey from the bustling publishing world to the creation of her own unique jewelry line is nothing short of inspiring. Join us as we delve into the story behind Oriental Monkey and the creative mind driving its success.
Can you share the pivotal moment or experience that inspired you to start Oriental Monkey?
When I first went to the Grand Bazaar with my grandmother in my childhood, I was very impressed by the jewelry I saw. Of course, I didn’t dream of becoming a jewelry designer back then. I started dreaming about it much later in life. I have always had a unique style, especially in choosing jewelry. When I traveled abroad, I loved going to antique markets and browsing vintage jewelry stores. I was always looking for something that carried the spirit of that striking period from the 1940s to the 1970s but combined the old and the new. But there was either vintage jewelry or brand new designs. Somewhere in between, I wanted unique and timeless, sophisticated and different, powerful jewelry. Finally, with the insistence of my relatives, I decided to try it myself. And I started by designing my favorite little finger ring that I could never find. My SAND model ring with diamonds cut in different shapes was the beginning of my new story.
What is the underlying philosophy or message you aim to convey through your jewelry pieces?
I have always been passionate about art and craft. Both in my profession and in my personal life, different details that caress the soul and make you feel special and beautiful were at the forefront for me. I always prioritized visual originality while preparing the content for the magazine I was in charge of and while deciding on the decoration of my home. This point of view, which has become a lifestyle, continued when I founded Oriental Monkey and realized my designs. Timelessness… I think the greatest feature of a piece of jewelry, a piece of art or a piece of clothing is the power of its timeless design. It is more sophisticated, more effective, more powerful and of course more lasting. I want to design jewelry that you can wear for years, at different times of the day, at every event, from lunch to an elegant cocktail or party. I love that jewelry can be worn not only at weddings, red carpet events or elegant parties, but also at dinners with your loved ones or even a day in the office in a white shirt and jeans, and that with the right choices and combinations, sophisticated and timeless, calm but assertive styles can be created. I design jewelry that will fill just that. Our 4 most important core values are craftsmanship, quality, details, and limited edition production. We realize our designs by adhering to these 4 values with a focus on sustainability.
What criteria do you use when selecting materials like 18k gold and various precious and semi-precious stones for your collections?
As I mentioned, I have always had an interest in vintage jewelry. My priority was to create that effect in terms of design and materials while combining old and new, past and present. For this reason, we use 18 karat gold and sometimes even higher. The choice of gold, its color, the special color layer we put on it… all this is to give the designs that vintage look that reflects the spirit of Oriental Monkey.
We attach great importance to handcrafting, and the quality and details we offer mean craftsmanship stands out in each of our designs. We produce by hand using only 18K gold, we do not use machines and we do not do mass production. Instead of presenting seasonal collections, we add new models to our collection every month, maintaining a high level of renewal, interest and connection with our customers. We care about sustainability and therefore we obtain 40 percent of the raw material we use in our designs from recycled gold. We aim to increase this to 90 percent in the coming years.
How do your love for nature and the animal kingdom manifest in your jewelry designs?
My interest, love and compassion for animals is my source of inspiration as well as my naive and pure side, my joy and hope. That’s why I use many animals in my collections, from tigers to owls, snakes to monkeys. I see them as natural sources of joy, of smiling for no reason, of a good heart. I wish all of us to remember this every moment of the day thanks to their unique figures that I use in my designs. Not only animals, but all of nature is a reason for existence and gratitude for me. In a sense, it is respect and gratitude to nature, which is the reason and source of our existence. That’s why we source some of our production from recycled gold. By gradually increasing this ratio, we aim to do our part in sustainability and the protection of the environment and our world.
Can you discuss how the rich cultural heritage of Anatolia is reflected in your work?
As you say, our land, Anatolia, has a tremendous history. It is a globally recognized fact that its historical and cultural richness is of inestimable value. I use the treasures, sometimes mysteries and cultures of the deep-rooted past as a source of inspiration in some of my designs. Sometimes this is reflected in my jewelry with an architectural pattern, sometimes with a geometric shape or a figure. It is part of my effort to honor the Anatolian heritage by passing it down from generation to generation with timeless designs, designs that will take their place in collections as family jewels. But of course, I do not base Oriental Monkey designs on a single source of inspiration or line. Oriental Monkey is a brand where everything about art, fashion, nature, culture, colors, past and present can be an inspiration, where inspiration comes out of the hands of generations of jewelry masters with unique details and turns into design with a sophisticated style.
What is your creative process like from conceptualization to the final piece?
The design process is not something I sit at a desk and work on a drawing. Sometimes I see a painting, sometimes I start from the sconce in the hotel room I stayed in during a trip. Sometimes I am inspired by the unique grains of sand while walking on the beach, sometimes by the architecture of the Grand Bazaar that has preserved its splendor for centuries…Suddenly a tiny detail that catches my eye comes to life in an earring or a ring. Sometimes I place those details in the design for days, I change their places, I say I can’t make it in the ring, let’s make it a medallion… I do it all only in my imagination first.Then I visualize it with basic drawings. I work with a technician who does the rendering drawings on the computer. We sometimes make changes on it for days until it becomes exactly as I imagined it… Then it is the first production of the 3D design, mold and model.I especially make the rings according to my own finger measurements first. I want to see for myself first whether my model fits well or not and how it will be used. Then we start production. I would like to point out here that what I call production is of course not high volume mass production. All of our jewelry is made by hand and produced in limited numbers. So there will be a maximum of 30 pieces of a necklace you buy worldwide!
Where do you see Oriental Monkey heading in the next five years? Are there any new directions or projects you’re excited about?
We are currently in the process of expanding abroad. We have signed agreements with online sales channels, and we will soon start selling worldwide from two different locations. We participate in fairs and we are very pleased with the interest we receive.We received an offer to prepare a special collection and we are currently evaluating it.By the end of the next five years, we aim to have opened our store in London and to be at points of sale that match our brand in 10 different cities..
Do you have a favorite piece or collection from Oriental Monkey? If so, what makes it special to you?
The diamond ring I wear on my little finger, which we call SAND, has a slightly different place for me than the others. I don’t want to take it off because of the role it played in the founding of Oriental Monkey and because of the moment I was on the beach when I first imagined that design and the memories I have of it.
How do you ensure that your customers connect with the rich, playful, and ancient flavors of your brand through your jewelry?
Oriental Monkey has a different place among jewelry brands around the world. First of all, it is completely handmade and limited edition. This puts you among the limited number of people who already own an Oreintal Monkey jewelry. As soon as our customers step into our store, they see and experience that we appeal to a different style and spirit, the quality and craftsmanship in details and workmanship. When it comes to buying gifts for themselves and their loved ones, they come back to us again and again, knowing that we offer different, classy, designer, handmade, sophisticated jewelry that not everyone can see. Thanks to the self-renewal and limited edition feature, our bond continues to grow stronger and stronger. Instead of preparing a collection of 20-30 pieces during the classic established collection times, almost 5-10 new designs are added to our jewelry in the showroom every month. Once our customers have this information, they stop by every month, even to see what’s new. Knowing that we have pleased and surprised them is a strong source of motivation for us.
If you could have anyone wear one of your pieces today, who would it be and why?
We have a model called Princess, which I wore on my little finger. For me, it symbolizes the old, the new, ancestors, family heritage, updating.
What is your personal and professional mantra?
While we always pursue renewal with the strength we take from our roots, we must honor the good, the beautiful, the special…
Oriental Monkey is a unique blend of history, nature, and masterful artistry, offering pieces that are both timeless and sophisticated. We are delighted to have gained insight into the inspirations and vision that fuel Zeynep’s stunning creations. To explore this world of design and elegance, visit www.orientalmonkey.com.
