The Bite Magazine - Autumn/Winter 2023 - Issue 34

bitebags B y changing the first letter in her name and add- ing another, renowned art collector Ferah San- cak created Pherahs, an accessories brand that combines art with historical inspiration. The repetition of the letter P forms its clover-shaped emblem, the in- itial of the brand and a totem for 'luck'. Pherahs bags and scarves in calf leather and silk are available in nat- ural tones, brighter surfaces and vibrant colours, fea- turing motifs such as galloping horses, suns and wolves from symbolic traditional art. Its mission is to transfer cultural knowledge across generations through expressive art mediums. Their first collection, Ghuzz (a descendant of early Turkish invaders of Persia), paid tribute to the ancestral home- land of the brand. It focused on the spiritual facets of the Seljuk Empire, a trailblazing Turkish tribe that left an indelible mark on history. The Seljuks saw their power animals as spiritual guides, urging them to seek inner strength and power so that they may rise and grow even more. The horse ruled by the earth is associated with inner peace and harmony, while the lion ruled by the sun is traditionally associated with strength and power. The sun represents female power, and the wolf, believed to be governed by the stars, symbolises courage in our deeper consciousness. The wolf, Asena, is part of the origin story of all Turkic and Mongolian tribes. The Göktürks (Turkic people of ancient Central Asia) have a wolf on their blue flag, signifying war, freedom, speed and nature. Pherahs is devoted to creating a positive impact on the world by crafting enduring products that encourage mind consumption and contribute to a more sustain- able future. Through transparency and taking pride in its domestic manufacturing processes and compre- hensive production system, the brand ensures superior quality and environmental sustainability by producing its bags in-house. They prioritise selecting top-notch materials and techniques to minimise ecological harm through their supply chain. “Our leather sourced from Italy and GOTS-certified satin from Turkey come from ethical and sustainable sources, utilising responsible farming practices to re- duce environmental damage,” the brand says. “We use leather with limited chemical processing, deadstock satin fabrics, and traditional weaving techniques for our silk scarves to minimise waste and promote sus- tainability.” Four leading standard setters developed GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) to define worldwide requirements for organic textiles. Pherahs’ leather suppliers hold certification from the Leather Working Group (LWG), a non-profit organi- sation advocating ethical sourcing and environmental- ly responsible practices in the leather industry. Their products exemplify exceptional design, a rich heritage