Duygu Kacar is the creative mind behind Golden Horn Jewellery. She is a fashion designer based in East London with a passion for jewellery. Originally from Istanbul, she was inspired by the rich history and local jewellery artisans. She merges Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar heritage with London’s contemporary charm. Each jewellery piece is crafted in the Grand Bazaar and tells a story of uniqueness, personal passions, and human connections within this fusion of old and new. Often inspired by the beauty of nature, her designs incorporate organic shapes and earthy colours, utilising sustainable materials such as recycled solid gold, silver, and natural gemstones.
We spoke with Duygu to discover more about her jewellery.
What attracted you to your craft?
I’m actually a fashion designer. I’ve been in the fashion and textile industry for 23 years after graduating from London College of Fashion. When I’m designing clothes, I always design the entire outfit. This includes accessories and jewellery. I began designing jewellery so I could complete full fashion looks when designing.
What does your typical day look like?
I go to my office everyday. When in office, I’m communicating lots of people including ateliers and freelance graphic designers, consultants, photographers and videographers. They are all helping to build the brand. There is usually a lot of running around – no day is the same!
What is the unique selling point of your products?
Golden Horn jewellery is made in the Grand bazaar of Istanbul, which preserves thousands years of history, culture, geographical, social, trade of craftsmanship passed down each generation.
Where do you find inspiration for your designs?
My biggest drive to create Golden Horn comes from my own life experiences of being from the Golden Horn Estuary.
I have been unconsciously inspired for years by my environment, from smell of a sea, colour and tone of the 24k gold and tone of the Turkish blue stones. In the last couple of years, I realised that I wanted these traditions to be seen around the world, particularly in my second home in London.
Please can you provide a little more info on how your interest in design started and developed?
I have always been interested in design since I was a child. I was always creative, a dreamer. I have been drawing since I was 5 years old. I was interested in textiles, fabrics, colours, paints and papers. I started to make home textiles when I was a teenager and then narrowed my craft down to designing clothes. As a fashion designer, I now designer jewellery.
Do you have any favourite items in the collection?
My favourite is the Joy rings. There is a very personal meaning behind the design.
How would you summarise your collection in a few sentences?
The Joy and Dream rings are from my Motto Manifesto collection. This collection is about attracting positive state of feelings rather than physical items. They are a reminder to stay open to a flow state, with the aim of attracting a happy state of mind. They are a modern witchcraft.