As the Creative Director at Tea Collection, I have the privilege of traveling all around the world, making friends and finding inspiration in the most unexpected places. Before our design team begins their work on creating the artwork for the season’s line, we immerse ourselves in the culture of our inspiration country. This journey begins long before we board a plane, as we dive into research, exploring iconic places to visit, discovering local delicacies to try, and identifying cultural touchpoints that might inform our designs. Though we plan our trips as thoroughly as possible, using Google Maps and a translation app to guide us, we always leave room for exploration and serendipity. It was in this spirit of openness that we stumbled upon Nihat Usta’s studio during our visit to Istanbul, Turkey.
While exploring the Karaköy neighborhood, we decided to veer off a main tourist street and wandered down a hill toward the water. As we walked, we passed an open door where we noticed various shaped pieces of wood adorned with beautifully painted birds. Initially, we continued on our walk, but Margie Tan, my fellow traveler and Tea’s Fashion & Brand Director, encouraged us to go back and take a closer look.
Inside, we were greeted by a studio space overflowing with layers of bird paintings, scraps of wood, and furniture in various stages of repair. The space was a visual feast—small antiques and ephemera mingled with layers of paintings, creating a sense of organized chaos. And there, in the middle of it all, was Nihat Usta, sitting in a chair, meticulously working on a bird painting with small pots of gouache paint by his side, a hand-rolled cigarette in hand. Over a cup of strong Turkish coffee, and with the help of a translation app, we connected with Nihat and learned more about his incredible work.
After our first meeting, we walked out of his studio with five bird paintings, carefully tucked under our arms, hoping we could somehow fit them into our suitcases. On the last day of our research trip, we returned to his studio and left with eight more pieces, each one a cherished reminder of our time in Istanbul.
Just over a year later, we returned to Istanbul to shoot our Fall 2024 line. Nihat graciously hosted us and our crew in his studio so we could capture the pieces that his work inspired in the very space where it all began.
The Artistic Process
Nihat is both a woodworker and a painter, specializing in creating stunning gouache paintings on scraps of wood left over from his furniture projects. His work is deeply inspired by the natural world, with birds being a recurring theme. The unique shapes and sizes of the wooden scraps dictate the scale of his paintings, and the natural texture of the wood adds an extra dimension to his intricate illustrations.
Inspired Styles
Nihat’s art inspired two graphic tees that bring his vibrant and detailed imagery to life. Standout pieces in our collection include “Nihat’s Owl Layered Tee,” featuring one of his signature bird motifs, and “Nihat’s Hummingbird Graphic Tee,” where the delicate beauty of the hummingbird is rendered in vivid colors. These tees not only showcase Nihat’s artistic style but also offer a way for kids to carry a piece of Istanbul’s artistic spirit with them wherever they go.
Visiting Nihat’s Workshop
Visiting Nihat’s workshop after creating the clothing pieces was a surreal experience. Walking into the studio where our collaboration first began, we were struck by how seamlessly the essence of his art had translated onto our tees. Seeing the original wood paintings that inspired our designs displayed alongside the finished products was a powerful reminder of the global connections that can be forged through art and fashion. It was a moment of full-circle creative fulfillment—where the inspiration of Istanbul and Nihat’s craftsmanship met the playful spirit of Tea Collection.
If you loves these design, be sure to shop our new Fall collection, inspired by Turkey here.