The legacy of Anatolian culture is reborn with Nadzar.
THE STORY OF THE EVIL EYE, RETOLD
NADZAR” is named after the evil eye bead, “the nazar” and means simply “Evil Eye”.
The belief in the evil eye curse goes as far back as the ancient civilizations of Mesopotamia, and so does the tradition of relying on the talismanic power of the glass bead to deter its dark effects. The nazar is said to shield its wearer from the envious glares of ill-wishers. Its basic minimalism loaded with meaning and prehistoric symbolism, the bead is both ancient and timeless.
NADZAR was created by Özge Tan Özbek, an Istanbul-based vintage and antique jewelry dealer, an obsessive collector with a particular eye for historic Anatolian beads and amulets. Built entirely around the iconic bead, the brand is both deeply rooted in history and of the moment. In Özbek’s reinterpretation, the unmistakable old-age charm of the opaline bead is given a distinctly contemporary look, but, despite this modern take on the iconic symbol, it is the connection to the past which lies at the true heart of the brand.
Taking a passionate stand against fast fashion practices, every piece is made exclusively using vintage beads that were handmade in the 1970’s and 80’s. The collection also includes some rare antique watch chains, a signature element of Özbek's first forays into jewelry design.
The first collection comes as a result of years of nurturing connections with merchants, jewellers and silversmiths of Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar, one of the region’s most significant historical sites, a place as iconic as the evil eye bead itself. It is here that the brand comes together - beads that are half a century old, made anew by artisans carrying on the ancient craft of jewelry making, practiced on those tiny cobbled streets for centuries. Every piece is made right here, in the heart of the city, and represents everything the brand is deeply committed to: authenticity, preserving tradition, culture and artisanal practices, awe and respect for the place, materials and the people that make it; making sure that the the past is not lost, giving forgotten things a new life and a place in the modern world.
The belief in the evil eye curse goes as far back as the ancient civilizations of Mesopotamia, and so does the tradition of relying on the talismanic power of the glass bead to deter its dark effects. The nazar is said to shield its wearer from the envious glares of ill-wishers. Its basic minimalism loaded with meaning and prehistoric symbolism, the bead is both ancient and timeless.
NADZAR was created by Özge Tan Özbek, an Istanbul-based vintage and antique jewelry dealer, an obsessive collector with a particular eye for historic Anatolian beads and amulets. Built entirely around the iconic bead, the brand is both deeply rooted in history and of the moment. In Özbek’s reinterpretation, the unmistakable old-age charm of the opaline bead is given a distinctly contemporary look, but, despite this modern take on the iconic symbol, it is the connection to the past which lies at the true heart of the brand.
Taking a passionate stand against fast fashion practices, every piece is made exclusively using vintage beads that were handmade in the 1970’s and 80’s. The collection also includes some rare antique watch chains, a signature element of Özbek's first forays into jewelry design.
The first collection comes as a result of years of nurturing connections with merchants, jewellers and silversmiths of Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar, one of the region’s most significant historical sites, a place as iconic as the evil eye bead itself. It is here that the brand comes together - beads that are half a century old, made anew by artisans carrying on the ancient craft of jewelry making, practiced on those tiny cobbled streets for centuries. Every piece is made right here, in the heart of the city, and represents everything the brand is deeply committed to: authenticity, preserving tradition, culture and artisanal practices, awe and respect for the place, materials and the people that make it; making sure that the the past is not lost, giving forgotten things a new life and a place in the modern world.