The Bite Magazine - Spring/Summer 2026 - Issue 39

SJW Bags London bitebags Cristina Lloyd is wowed by SJW Bags London founder, Alev Ozturk’s ikat textile accessories that capture the essence of Turkish craftsmanship. North Tones London S ix years ago, Alev Ozturk told New Göktürk online, “a good idea becomes a new creation when you let it out.” Hailing from Istanbul, Turkey, she moved to London ten years ago, engaged with London’s offerings, partic- ipated in cultural activities and country walks, ran, including half marathons, made friends in St. John’s Wood, and discov- ered her passion for making bags. “At the beginning, I was creating for myself and then receiving encouragement from my friends. I started a limited-edition bag collection with the motto: ‘Bags are like friends, we can never have too many.’” Founded in 2016, SJW Bags London began with a simple curi- osity. How would friends and neighbours in her new St. John’s Wood circle react to the vibrant ikat textiles she had brought with her from Istanbul? Alev had spent more than twenty‑five years in banking before relocating to London, but it was the warmth of people drawn to the patterns, textures, and stories woven into every thread that sparked the idea for a new cre- ative life. From the initial designs, women loved the colour, practicality, and individuality each piece offered. As demand grew quickly, the collection expanded into a full range of multi‑functional silhouettes. Alev’s approach was never about creating objects to be admired from afar. She wanted pieces that moved with people, felt lived‑in and loved, and withstood the pace of Lon- don. As pop‑ups and an online store brought the brand to a wider audience, SJW Bags became a successful label that trav- elled by word of mouth, carried from one stylish shoulder to another. The brand name is a tribute to the neighbourhood that wel- comed Alev and her family with such generosity. St. John’s Wood, an elegant, leafy enclave in North London, has been home to a diverse community of expats, families, creatives, and professionals from all over the world. It was here, among the mums on the school run, the businesswomen balancing a dozen roles at once, and the stylish expats who brought their cultural influences to the area, that Alev found her muse. Every bag in the collection is named in homage to the peo- ple and places of Westminster North, such as the Victoria Ikat Multicolour Bag in distinctive hues such as pink, red, and beige; black and off-white; and toffee, orange, ecru, bright yellow, turquoise, and black. Designed as the ideal cocktail companion, this mini pouch reimagines the Victorian reticule with a modern twist. Its softly structured curves, wrapped in intricately woven velvet ikat patterns, provide a luxurious look. Each design is extremely limited to six pieces per pattern, yet the collection offers fifteen richly hued variations. A hand‑wo- ven velvet ikat upper gives it its signature texture, balanced by a smooth faux‑leather lining and polished metal hardware in silver, gold, or black. The hinged frame closure opens with a satisfying snap, revealing a spacious interior complete with an internal card slot for essentials. At the same time, the detach- able chain strap allows it to shift effortlessly from handheld elegance to shoulder‑sling ease. Serai Paisley Velvet Clutch in fuchsia or saffron yellow is wrapped in swirling gold, sage, and teal cut‑velvet, or in gold, indigo, and turquoise paisley inspired by the opulent décor of