There are moments in life when we feel as though everything has ended—like sinking to the bottom of the water.
Belitişi is the story of finding the strength to push off the riverbed and swim back to the surface.
It is a story stretching from the days of the Turkish War of Independence in the early 1900s to the present: a journey woven with craftsmanship, resilience, and solidarity. It is also the story of what one woman can achieve alone—and what becomes possible when women come together.
Unaware that she was the descendant of four generations of women skilled in traditional handcrafts, actress Belit Özükan decided to step away from television and move from Istanbul to Bodrum, disheartened by the decline of media in Turkey over the past decade. While teaching acting classes to make a living, the global pandemic struck, making life even harder.
One New Year’s Eve, Belit discovered a box of embroidery threads and fabrics her late grandmother had left behind. Wanting to create meaningful gifts for her loved ones, she embroidered initials in colors that reflected each person and turned them into lavender sachets—a plant known for its healing properties. These gifts, filled with scent, color, and emotion, carried pieces of her heart to those she cherished.
Encouraged by friends who adored the handmade sachets, Belit considered making more. Although she had no sewing experience, life had other plans. When the seamstress she initially relied on could no longer continue, Belit sat down, wept, and then courageously bought her first sewing machine. Guided by the memory of her grandmother Jale Hanım—who once tried to teach her sewing—Belit began to teach herself.
In her small kitchen workshop, she shared her creations on social media, hoping to endure those difficult times through solidarity. Unexpectedly, the sachets received immense love, and she discovered a new form of self-expression. Piece by piece, she learned from upholsterers, tailors, and artisans, uncovering a hidden talent passed down through generations. From the heirloom embroideries of her grandmother and great-grandmothers, she realized that she was continuing a 100-year-old legacy of resilience and creativity.
What started as a personal struggle turned into a stage of a different kind:
Belit found a way to reach people not through theater, but through the healing scent of lavender, the joy of colors, the comfort of fabrics, and handwritten notes tucked into each handmade gift.
With time, Belitişi grew into a collective. Support poured in from followers, designers, and even renowned fashion professionals who contributed fabrics, materials, and guidance. The workshop became not only a creative hub but also a safe place for stray dogs, local children, and women seeking to rebuild their lives.
Belit’s first bag, inspired by a dream of her grandmother, was named “Jalem Bag”—a timeless symbol of love and remembrance.
Today, Belitişi continues its journey in Bodrum Gümüşlük, with a mission to support women who, regardless of their circumstances, wish to stand on their own feet with dignity and independence.
Now, you too can become a part of this story of solidarity—by gifting yourself or a loved one a unique, heartfelt creation from Belitişi.
With love,
The Belitişi Team
