Welcome to our world

Based in Istanbul, we are two sisters who make clothes that are deeply connected to our personal geographies and heritage. Nackiyé, named after our great-grandmother, is a memento of the women of our lineage who have been an endless source of inspiration to us. Coming from a family of Ottoman bureaucrats where artists, musicians, craftsmen, thinkers and Mevlevi dervishes were hosted, Nackiyé and her family belonged to a 14th-century dervish Sufi lodge. Nackiyé’s own grandmother, Seyyare, was the first young girl in the Ottoman empire to dance the mystic dervish ritual called Sema. Afterwards, young women who participated in the Sema, before reaching puberty, were given the middle name Seyyare (meaning celestial), as a symbolic gesture to Nackiyé’s grandmother.

The unique stories that define the women in our family has transcended generations, each inspiring the next. Every single garment we make is a tribute to where we come from.

Başak & Defne Kocabıyıkoğlu

A renaissance of simple delights

What we make


Nackiyé is about chasing a Neptunian romance. We are two sisters who make clothes that are deeply connected to our personal geographies. Our Istanbul-based studio, named after our great-grandmother, culls inspiration from the vistas of our collective memory, of home and beyond. The touch of silk on our salty skin at dusk. Our pockets filled with pebbles and sunflower seeds. Gathering our skirts to jump from the ferry to the dock. Rolling up our sleeves to sit down to eat, elbow to elbow. Kicking up our feet at dessert. Nackiyé is the epitome of these simple pleasures. We would like our clothes to move you as they move with you.
 

What we believe in

Nackiyé is made with intention — a true sense of place — and speaks to everyday attitudes. These are clothes you wear. Throw in a suitcase. Throw on for a stroll through the market. Throw on the floor at the end of a raucous night. By bringing new life to time-honoured traditions, each piece keeps craftsmanship alive. Each piece can be reinterpreted by each wearer. Our commitment takes us to hidden ateliers in the Grand Bazaar and to the broom maker down the road. Prioritising quality and longevity, we invest in enduring materials and artisan/tailored handiwork while staying true to our sense of wonder, curiosity, and slightly mischievous intuition.

What we dream of

We strive to build a world we want to live in, harnessing both joy and purpose in preserving artisan traditions, celebrating unique & distinct craftsmanship, and creating clothes that can be reinterpreted and beloved regardless of seasons or trends. Our approach to ethical & cultural sustainability is shaped by our own values and beliefs in taking care of both our local environments and the livelihood of diverse communities that bring culture and beauty to life. We are constantly working to evolve and improve our own methods and methodologies to reflect this conviction and responsibility.