AIDA PEKIN

Born in Izmir and a graduate of the University of Marmara and Arti orafe in Florence, Bihter Ayda Pekin lives and works in the heart of Istanbul, close to the traditional jewelers of the Galata district. Her creations have already attracted the attention of New York's MoMA and Barcelona's Alea gallery.

"I agreed to take part in this program because I wanted to multiply my contacts and exchange best practices. In Marseille and Paris, at MC21 and twice at Who's Next, I was able to expand my network of buyers. In Istanbul, where I work as close as possible to the workshops of craftsmen who melt gold as they did in ancient times, contemporary creation is beginning to emerge. More and more young people are embarking on this adventure, but we lack role models and advisors, which is why an experience like the Maison de la Création is so important to us. The Mediterranean basin is rich in young talent: to be able to bring us together in the same place, in the same city, Marseille, is an opportunity."

Mediterranean Fashion Prize (MFP 2010-2018): a prize dedicated to designers from the Mediterranean basin, with a program of e-learning and expert guidance, leading to a week in Marseille with the entire graduating class.