"We design products for a better living, products that are original and inspiring..."
Uniqka is an Istanbul-based design brand that invigorates old craftsmanship traditions with contemporary design. Collaborating with designers around the world, Uniqka crafts extraordinary products that are simple yet impactful and inspiring for living spaces. Uniqka’s prominent values are timeless design with simplicity, less consumption with longevity, and refined craftsmanship with finesse.
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
At Uniqka, we are passionate about creating authentic and sophisticated products that increase the quality of life. Combining the oldest materials with traditional handcrafting and up-to-date techniques, we make products for modern living. Pushing the boundaries of what is possible, we create conscious and long-lasting products using responsible resources and leaving minimal footprint.
​
The versatility and elegance of leather are highlighted throughout Uniqka creation. By upcycling leather, we create design pieces that will not only give a sense of warmth and intimacy to its surroundings, but also be used for years, generations, and even centuries. The minimalist design and exquisite craftsmanship of each piece conveys refinement. The simplicity allows each Uniqka product to fit into various spaces for a range of purposes and bring character to the room even when not in use.
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
At Uniqka, we enthusiastically embrace the process of making long-lasting, ethically produced objects and guarantee the quality of every piece that leaves our workshop.
Our Leather
​
Uniqka designs focus on the leather, as her signature material.
Leather possesses the innate beauty of the nature. It is natural, durable, and repairable. Responsibly made leather is a valuable material, which prevents about 10 million tonnes of waste from going to landfills annually. Leather is an organic material, which is a by-product of the food industry. Instead of ending up in landfills, this unique and versatile material turns into design objects, that are used for decades, even centuries. This is a remarkable example of upcycling.
At Uniqka, we source our leather from selected suppliers that are controlled and verified.
Vegetable-tanned Leather
Vegetable-tanning is the most traditional method of tanning. Plant extracts, called vegetable tannins are used to turn the hides into leather in this age-old tanning method, which dates back to the dawn of time. Although hundreds of different tree species and other plants have been employed, tannins from trees like oak, chestnut, and mimosa are among the most well-known. Its key feature is the absence of potentially harmful and irritating chemical components while maintaining the original raw material's maximum durability and organic look.
Only around 10% of the leather on the market today is vegetable-tanned. Nearly 80% of all leather produced worldwide is produced by chrome-tanning, a relatively contemporary method, dating back to industrial revolution. It is quicker than vegetable-tanning; however, the usage of heavy metal minerals frequently causes more environmental harm.
​
We use ethically produced, vegetable-tanned leather. As the most esteemed type of leather, it is eco-friendly and has an organic feel and higher durability. Vegetable-tanned leather stands the test of time, catches the traces of our lives and ages beautifully. Over time, it develops a unique texture and a strong character.
