The new version of the peshtamal: K'ai&Vrosi

Although the Black Sea peştamal (a type of Turkish towel) is known to originate from Trabzon, research suggests it actually belongs to Giresun. Instead of discussing this controversial topic, we spoke with Çiğdem Kacar Selimoğlu, the founder and everything behind K'ai&Vrosi, a brand from our region that considers the peştamal as a design element, transforming it into a designer bag using a loom-weaving method befitting its prestige. We know about her fondness for black tea, but we still asked which tea…

Can you tell us about yourself and the K'ai&Vrosi process?

I have a memorable experience from about 10 years ago in Giresun. While waiting for the bus at the bus station, I leaned my head against the window and watched the scenery go by. My eyes fell on the Turkish towels hanging in the souvenir shops. I thought to myself, "These precious woven fabrics deserve more than just tablecloths." At that time, I had studied Italian language and literature and was working for companies that exported to premium Italian clothing brands. I think being on the production side of things always led me to ask this question, and thinking, "If no one else is doing it, why shouldn't I be the one?", I founded the K'ai&Vrosi brand in 2018, which means "good" in Laz language.

Kai&Vrosi's Brand Building Process

As far as we know, the brand building process of K'ai&Vrosi is entirely the result of your own hard work and struggle, 100%. This is what has propelled you from success to success as a female entrepreneur. I hope your passion for your work inspires many producers and entrepreneurs. So, based on your experiences, do you have any advice for female entrepreneurs?

My journey is like a meticulously crafted towel woven on a loom, stitch by stitch, imbued with perseverance and hard work. Like every woman from the Black Sea region. I am a person very focused on sharing and learning, and even if a negative experience occurs at the intersection of these two, it will undoubtedly be instructive.

Kai&Vrosi Bag Production Process

Kai Vrosi, how many cities do you visit and what processes do you have in order to produce a bag? How many hands are involved in creating a handmade bag?

I can summarize it as two separate cities and three separate districts. Fabrics woven on looms in Trabzon, wicker baskets crafted by the skillful hands of women at the Public Education Center, and finally, bags made in a leather workshop in Istanbul. To give you an idea of ​​the numbers, approximately 20 people are involved in creating one bag.

Thoughts on Tea

We heard that despite being a very good tea drinker, you lost the tea-drinking championship last year, we're really sorry to hear that. What are your plans for this year, how many cups are you aiming for?

I say it's impossible; if a scalpel were to be used on my arm, tea would flow instead of blood. That's the kind of love I have. There's no goal when it comes to drinking tea; the number of cups is limitless.

The Most Enjoyable Time to Drink Tea

When do you enjoy drinking tea the most?

These days, it's the moment the imam says "Allahu Akbar" during Ramadan. (I had my meeting with Çiğdem last Ramadan.) Other than that, it's no joke, but for me, it's always the same.

Favorite Tea Place

Where do you most enjoy drinking tea?

If I'm in Istanbul, the Moda tea garden holds a special place in my heart; the traditional Turkish tea, served quickly in a genuine, slender glass and poured onto a lightly red patterned saucer, is an indispensable part of the experience. If I'm in the Black Sea region, the tea I drink at every stop after arriving in Samsun has a unique taste, but of course, I can't forget the tea brewed in the highlands.

Your Most 'Tea' Moments Related to Tea

What are your favorite 'tea' moments, for example, what are the essential settings or environments for a classic Turkish tea?

The line "Let me make some tea," spoken by Fikret in the TV series Yaprak Dökümü (Falling Leaves), might have been taken from me, that's how much I like it! I think we shouldn't underestimate the power of tea, whether it's for solving problems, for cheerful occasions, or simply as a unifying element. I wonder what other nations drink it by the sea; we should think about that too.

Hazelnuts or tea?

As someone from Giresun married to someone from Ardeşen, you're considered knowledgeable about both industries. In your opinion, which is more challenging, hazelnuts or tea?

I'll try to appease both sides by saying that anything involving manual labor is difficult, but the truth is, hazelnuts, unless their blossoms freeze overnight, are a truly laborious fruit, harvested once a year both from the trees and from the ground, bending over backwards. And even if it's just about harvesting, there's the waiting for rain, drying, threshing, and sorting... excuse me, tea, but that's where we differ.

Favorite Tea in Lazika

Besides black tea, do you have a favorite tea in Lazika, and if so, which one would you recommend?

Now, we've talked about tea in the Black Sea region, but Lazika tea, as drunk there, takes things to another level. Because even a tiny pinch of it changes the color and taste... You wouldn't believe it... Joking aside, as someone who has been using their highland black tea and green tea, along with many other products, for a long time, I really liked the new Hisli Harman series; my favorite is Deli Dolu. You're not surprised, are you? :)

Where is Kai&Vrosi sold?

Finally, where can we buy Kai&Vrosi products?

Besides www.kaivrosi.com, you can find us at our shop in Suadiye, Istanbul, at Brandroom stores, at Mae Zae in Karaköy, and at '74Escape' inside the Maçakızı Hotel in Bodrum.

Prepared by: Yasemin Taşkın