Kerem Aris and Merve Parnas have a passion for leather and create unique handmade products that are completely sustainable. Their Istanbul based brand is called UNIQKA and together with Dutch designer Jacob de Baan they have created the ZERO COLLECTION that will be on show at DESIGN LANGUAGE during MILAN DESIGN WEEK 2017.

UNIQKA -love for leather

Kerem Aris and Merve Parnas are the duo behind UNIQKA. They share a passion for creativity focusing on leather. They met up with Dutch designer Jacob de Baan in Istanbul and together,they created the ZERO COLLECTION.

UNIQKA – the design brand

Kerem Aris: “UNIQKA is a design brand, creating unique objects with the aim of making the world a better place. Each UNIQKA product is unique because each piece of leather is unique. Carrying forward the heritage of art and craftsmanship,UNIQKA offers timelesspieces for living spaces.”

UNIQKA -contributes to the circular economy.

Merve Parnas: “We use cowhide leather from cattle that is raised inan environmental friendly way in France and Italy. It comes to us, to become eternal. We value leather because it is very precious. We design new products with leftover pieces.”

UNIQKA -launch of the ZERO COLLECTION

Jacob de Baan: “I have designed many lamps in different materials like metal and wood, but I had never before designed in leather. Kerem and Merve took me to their workshop and asked me to design a collection of objects, such as lamps, and objects for the home. I was so excited. For me it was like playing in the kindergarten. The ZERO COLLECTION is the result of our collaboration.

UNIQKA -presenting at DESIGN LANGUAGE

David Heldt: “DESIGN LANGUAGE is an exhibition in which diversity in approach and form is the leitmotiv. I am very happy that UNIQKA is part of this exhibition where different design worlds collide and new alliances are forged. The outcome is as rich and diverse as a language can be.”

Address; Altiero Spinelli College, Via Francesco Carchidio 2, Milan