About me

“Moko Art Design is an independent jewelry brand founded and designed by Faruk Özcan in Kadıköy, Istanbul. Every piece produced since 2016 is built on a delicate balance of luxury, storytelling, and timeless aesthetics. The collections are nourished by rich symbolism where art, history, and science intertwine.
Each design is part of a unique journey shaped by admiration for iconic symbols."

 

 

From 2005 to 2016, my path crossed with wonderful people in Istanbul's renowned Grand Bazaar, one of the world's oldest and largest jewelry markets. I started as an apprentice with an Armenian master in 2005. I apprenticed at a diamond workshop for about 3-4 years, then worked as a journeyman and master for various diamond companies in the Bazaar until 2016. I had a career, as they say, "starting from the ground up."

 

Tired of the ordinary designs due to the tiring commercial concerns of jewelry companies, I created an innovative jewelry brand called Moko Art Design by combining the traditional jewelry techniques I learned in the Grand Bazaar with my own interests in sculpture and carving.

 

In Moko Art Design, "Moko" is a type of camouflage that the indigenous Maori people of New Zealand applied to their faces before going hunting. This camouflage eventually became a permanent tattoo. The lines on their faces increased according to the tribe members' cultural level, hunting skills, special powers, wisdom, and number of children. Although humanity has tried to depict all symbols it deemed sacred and ultimate on different surfaces throughout history, these tattoos applied to faces, where individuals express their emotions and thoughts through gestures and which are often the starting point of physical communication, are the purest and most absolute proof of an individual's inner journey. Moko is a defense, a camouflage; Moko is an attack, to multiply and to perish; Moko is to be one with nature.

 

I create my designs, which blend the mystical stories offered by nature, the universe, and the great artists it has created in an ethnic pool, entirely by hand.

 

Art and Design are my areas of interest. I continue to pursue my curiosity in various branches of art to fully appreciate the pleasure derived from ethnic melodies, detailed paintings, experiences, and instruments created to comprehend my soul. Along with this curiosity, I also produce works in sculpture, music, and painting, but I only offer my jewelry for sale.

 

I strive to combine the silent intimacy and elegance of jewelry with the magic of storytelling; narratives born from myths, cultures, and both new and old stories; I try to progress through universal and personal structures.

 

I prioritize excellent craftsmanship at every stage of production. I strive to create timeless designs using high-quality and ethically sourced materials. I focus on craftsmanship and the details that are vital in creating pieces that complement the wearer's unique personal style. I believe that great jewelry should not only be beautiful but also tell a story and evoke a sense of magic.

 

Since 2016, my designs have reached thousands of people. I am very happy for everyone I have been able to touch on this beautiful journey. Some believe in a new story, some in a touch, and I am very happy for all the souls who make me feel as if a part of me is traveling with them. I hope my designs find their soul with you...