The founder of Qbik by KD talks about how she built an atelier run by women and how she makes pieces from traditional textiles that honor custom while also encouraging women to be brave and creative in paving their own way.
Could you introduce yourselves and share the story of how your journey with Qbik by KD began?
“Woven from culture, empowered by women.”
I was born in Ankara, the capital of Türkiye. After years in the advertising and marketing industry, I decided to follow the dream I had always carried with me: to create my own brand.
Qbik by KD was born from a desire to create alongside women, inspired by our culture and Anatolia’s rich heritage. Türkiye is recognized worldwide for its premium textiles and for a legacy of craftsmanship passed down through generations.
From silk to linen, from handwoven fabrics to intricate embroidery, textile mastery is deeply rooted in our culture. The knowledge and artistry of our women artisans are not only skills they are a living heritage.
This marriage of exceptional fabric quality and timeless craftsmanship lies at the very heart of Qbik by KD.Qbik by KD is more than a brand it is a journey woven with women’s stories, heritage, and courage.
What first sparked the idea of transforming upholstery and curtain fabrics into fashion pieces?
I wanted to begin by creating kimonos, kaftans, and jackets. Kaftan has long been a shared garment across many cultures; throughout history, it symbolized grandeur and ceremonies in palaces. For me, the kaftan served as an inspiration but we never produce classical kaftans.
While kaftan fabrics historically represented luxury and opulence, upholstery and curtain textiles stand out with their durability and longevity. The strength of these fabrics lies in:
Durability: They retain their form for years, resistant to sunlight and friction.
Heavy & strong weave: Denser, firmer, and built to last.
Everyday function: Designed for long-term use in the home.
Variety of patterns & textures: Enriched with ethnic, floral, or classic motifs.
I wanted to turn this difference into an advantage. At Qbik by KD, we transform these resilient fabrics into contemporary oversized jackets. Materials that once protected our homes for years are reimagined into timeless silhouettes. In this way, we merge the elegance of the past with the practicality and sustainability of the present, creating strong pieces meant to be worn in every moment of life.
And I must confess… I am a little too much in love with ethnic patterns. Perhaps that’s why traces of our culture always find their way into every collection we create.
The essence of our brand lies here: ‘Elegance inspired by history, durability designed for the future.
How did you navigate the early challenges of launching a boutique in Montenegro?
I have a partner in Montenegro — we are two women walking this journey together: Qbik and Maria. In our very first season, the biggest challenge was not being local. Kotor is a tourism destination, and most visitors naturally expect to buy from Montenegrin designers. As two Turkish women, it wasn’t easy to be accepted at first.
On top of that, we were working with oversized, one-size silhouettes, which brought its own challenges in terms of fit. We even had strong demand from male customers asking, ‘Would these jackets work for us too?’
But that process became our turning point. We started to share our story from the beginning the craftsmanship of women, the limited-edition production, the cultural inspiration behind our fabrics.
And we realized that the more people connected with our story, the more they embraced us. Season after season, we refined our collections, perfected our patterns, and today we can proudly say: the Qbik by KD signature jacket fits people of all sizes, from all around the world.
Timeless, genderless, and universal. What once was a challenge has now become our greatest strength.
Sustainability is at the heart of your brand, how do you bring that vision into every stage of production?
We believe the concept of sustainability is often misunderstood in today’s world. For us, sustainability is not just about using recycled fabrics or placing eco-friendly labels. It is about valuing women’s work, creating long-lasting pieces, and building meaningful connections with our customers.
One of the strongest proofs of sustainability in our brand is this: for the past four years, the same customers have returned to our boutique every summer. This shows that not only our products, but also our story, are sustainable.
We also ensure that nothing goes to waste. Leftover fabrics from production are transformed into ties and pocket squares, which we gift to our customers. In this way, every textile finds a new life.
Your jackets are one-of-a-kind pieces. How do you approach designing something that can never be replicated?
We source our fabrics from major upholstery manufacturers the ones who create the luxurious textiles used for grand salons and statement furniture pieces. Some of these fabrics are never released; they remain as deadstock or archival fabrics.
Deadstock refers to leftover rolls that were produced but never used, while archival fabrics are unique, limited weaves preserved in the archives of these producers — often never sold anywhere in the world.
By transforming these high-quality, unseen textiles into oversized jackets, we give them a new life. This means that every Qbik by KD piece is not only sustainable, but also truly one-of-a-kind created from fabrics that can never be replicated.
Tell us about your women-led textile workshop and the community it has helped create.
Our atelier is entirely women-led, and what sets us apart is that we never outsource production. Every jacket is carefully patterned, with unique sewing techniques applied to each design. Every stage is under our control, carried out in fair and transparent conditions. Customers can even watch the full production process through videos in our boutique a rare level of openness in the fashion world.
Many of the women in our workshop spent decades as tailoring instructors in public education centers across Türkiye, passing their knowledge to generations. Today, that heritage and expertise form the very foundation of our brand.
One of our favorite mottos in the atelier is: ‘In tailoring there are no mistakes; if there are, they become fashion.’ We’ve had pieces that didn’t go as planned, but as a team we always knew how to turn them into fashion.
Qbik by KD’s atelier is more than a place of production; it is a community where women create together, share their skills, and empower one another. Behind every piece, there is truly a story of women’s work and solidarity.
Have there been any surprising lessons you’ve learned while working with upcycled fabrics?
Working with upholstery fabrics has taught us some very technical lessons. Regular machines simply can’t handle these materials, they are much heavier and denser than standard textiles. We had to invest in special sewing machines, and even the ironing process requires different techniques and far more effort. The weight of the fabric changes everything, from cutting to finishing, demanding precision at every step.
These challenges forced us to innovate, and in the end, they became part of what makes our jackets truly unique.
What does empowerment through fashion mean to you personally?
To me, empowerment through fashion means wearing your own story, without trying to look like anyone else. At Qbik by KD, we don’t just create jackets we create pieces that carry courage, heritage, and individuality. Fashion is not about blending into the crowd; it’s about defining your own path.
And the funny part is – I can hardly shop anymore. I always end up thinking, ‘We could make this in our atelier.’ Sometimes I even joke that every couch I see could be turned into a jacket. That’s what empowerment feels like to me: looking at the ordinary with a different eye, and transforming it with courage and creativity.
How do you see your brand evolving in the next few years while staying true to your roots?
At the moment, we collaborate with several concept stores that carry our pieces. Our production side is very strong, and in the coming years we want to amplify this story through our own boutique. For us, the boutique is not just a retail space it is the place where we communicate our vision and share our story.
Today, the world is flooded with mass-produced garments, where fast fashion often compromises on quality. At Qbik by KD, we believe in the opposite: less but better. We always encourage people to look beyond the label and pay attention to the stitching, the cut, and the fabric quality. True value lies not in owning ten pieces that will wear out quickly, but in three timeless ones that will stay with you for years.
Looking ahead, our goal is to take our production to a global scale and eventually offer our atelier services to a wider audience. In this way, the story of Qbik by KD will not only live in Kotor, but also reach women all around the world.
Can you describe a moment when you felt especially proud of what you’ve built?
We always said that our jackets could be worn anywhere in daily life, at work, or for special occasions. But what made us truly proud, and deeply moved, was when customers began choosing to wear our jackets on the most important day of their lives: their wedding.
Think about it – we design a piece to be elegant and versatile, yet people find it meaningful enough to stand beside them on such a personal, unforgettable day. That moment changed everything for us.
It also led us to expand into menswear, and today we even create bespoke groom suits. What started with one customer’s request revealed something greater: our journey is long, ever-evolving, and full of beautiful surprises.
What role does storytelling play in connecting your customers to each piece you create?
Customers don’t just walk into our boutique, try on a jacket, and buy it. On average, it takes about an hour and a half to sell one piece. Because people are not only interested in the jacket itself, but also in the fabric, the craftsmanship, and the story behind it. Once they hear the journey, they realize they are not simply buying a jacket they are owning a story.
And the journey doesn’t end in the boutique. If a customer plans to wear their jacket for a special occasion, we offer a 30-minute styling session via Zoom to help them style the look. This way, the connection continues long after the purchase.
What advice would you give to women who want to merge creativity with entrepreneurship?
I believe the secret for women to merge creativity with entrepreneurship begins with believing in their own strength. As women, when we truly want something, we can achieve anything. But dreaming alone is never enough it must be supported with a solid plan, discipline, and courage.
My advice would be this: let your vision be as unique as possible, but let your business plan be just as strong. Nurture yourself not only with inspiration, but also by knowing your competitors and understanding the dynamics of the market. Because what makes creativity sustainable is also knowing the realities of business.
And above all: never walk this journey alone. Include your family, friends, and community in every step. Never say ‘I would never do that’; always seek feedback because constructive criticism is what leads to success. And most importantly, surround yourself with a team who shares the same excitement and passion as you.
Throughout this journey, I would like to thank all the women who, over the past five years, have contributed with their stitches and dedication to the operational process: Asiye, Hatice, Güler, Semra, Refika, Cahide, Tuğba, Seda, Hilal, Meryem, and Semanur. Our seamstresses, all in their sixties, have celebrated our excitement with us from day one and shared their decades of expertise. The story of this brand is far more meaningful because of their work and their unwavering belief in us.
