A KALTBLUT exclusive about Turkish Textile Heritage. The project, produced in collaboration with the Şile Municipality, celebrates the cultural and historical significance of Şile cloth, a traditional Turkish textile woven in the coastal town of Şile on the Black Sea. The fabric is known for its artisanal production: it is washed by hand in the sea and dried on the sand, naturally absorbing the textures and atmosphere of its environment. The project reinterprets the centuries-old craft within a contemporary visual and editorial context, bridging tradition and modern design sensibilities.
The photographic series offers a conceptual editorial interpretation of the fabric’s story. Each image connects the textile with its geographical and cultural origins, highlighting its relationship with the landscape, the sea, and local craftsmanship. The photographs were taken in various locations throughout Şile, each chosen to reflect a different aspect of the fabric’s identity: its fluidity, organic texture, and quiet strength.
By blending fashion photography and conceptual storytelling, the series transforms the material into a visual metaphor for continuity and renewal. The calm, minimalist compositions emphasize the cloth’s tactile and emotional essence, reflecting the coexistence of heritage and modern aesthetics. Together, these images form a coherent editorial narrative that captures the spirit of Şile cloth—a dialogue between tradition, material, and place.
A seven-minute documentary film, an editorial video series, and a set of documentary images accompany this photographic work. Together, they provide comprehensive visual documentation, allowing audiences to experience the creation and meaning of Şile cloth.
Cakmak Özasan & Mia Ferrari
Ayse Cakmak Özasan and Mia Ferrari founded May Studio, a multidisciplinary design and visual direction studio based in Germany. Founded two years ago, May Studio specialises in editorial and fashion photography, video production, brand and web design, and art direction. The studio produces concept-driven visual content for a variety of commercial and editorial projects.
Ayşe studied communication design in Germany, and she studied fashion design in Istanbul before that. She also has professional experience in design and photography before founding May Studio. Mia also studied Communication Design and has professional experience in design and photography. Beyond their formal education, they have participated in multiple workshops, courses, and independent projects, including initiatives in the art and cultural sector. They also engage in personal projects outside of commercial work and support and contribute to events and exhibitions in the arts.
Their work emphasises visual storytelling and focuses on experimental, modern, and editorial imagery that effectively communicates ideas and narratives across fashion, lifestyle, and design contexts. May Studio combines creative experimentation with a disciplined visual language to produce precise and flexible work that meets the needs of various projects while maintaining a contemporary and engaging aesthetic.
The studio’s work has been recognised in design-focused publications such as DesignRush, which featured one of their business card designs among notable print projects. Their portfolio includes editorial campaigns, photo and video productions, and culturally engaged projects, such as The Şile Cloth Project. This project showcases their ability to connect materiality, environment, and fashion through a creative lens.
May Studio has collaborated with clients in the fashion, design, and music industries. These clients include furniture and jewellery brands, clothing retailers, and musicians. Notable projects include work with Marie Nasemann, a Cannes-based fashion show, and the Sile Cloth project with the Istanbul/Şile Municipality. The studio’s portfolio includes editorial campaigns, video productions, and design projects merging photography, video, and digital media to communicate cohesive brand narratives. They translate ideas into compelling visual content, reflecting their expertise in fashion, design, and brand communication.
Photography by May Studio / www.may-studio.de / Instagram: @may_studio.de
Postproduction by May Studio / Instagram: @may_studio.de
Styling and Visual Direction by May Studio / Instagram: @may_studio.de
Model: Nina Papadopoulos signed at Agency Model Booker / Instagram: @xnina.p / Instagram: @modelbooker
Project in Collaboration with Şile Municipality and Şile Cloth Atelier / Instagram: @sile_bld @sile_bezi_
All clothes by Şile Cloth Atelier / Instagram: @sile_bezi_ @sile_bld
Location: Şile / Istanbul, Turkey
Special Thanks
Şile Municipality / Instagram: @sile_bld
Özgür Kabadayı / Instagram: @ozgurkabadayisile
Halis Kökbalık / Instagram: @halis.kokbalik
Chp Şile Youth Branch / instagram: @chpsilegenclikkollari
Fatih Kökbalık / Instagram: @fatih_kkblk25
Oğuzhan Budur / Instagram: @oguzhanbudurr
Berna Melek / Instagram: @bersica
Cemre tokatlı / Instagram: @cemretokatli
Film Credits
Production by May Studio / www.may-studio.de / instagram: @may_studio.de
Postproduction by May Studio / Instagram: @may_studio.de
Styling and Visual Direction by May Studio / Instagram: @may_studio.de
Model: Nina Papadopoulos signed at Agency Model Booker / Instagram: @xnina.p / Instagram @modelbooker
Project in Collaboration with Şile Municipality and Şile Cloth Atelier / Instagram: @sile_bld @sile_bezi_
All clothes by Şile Cloth Atelier / Instagram: @sile_bezi_ @sile_bld
Sound Design by Darius Webb / Instagram: @darius.m4a
Location: Şile / Istanbul, Turkey
Special Thanks
Şile Municipality / Instagram: @sile_bld
Özgür Kabadayı / Instagram: @ozgurkabadayisile
Halis Kökbalık / Instagram: @halis.kokbalik
Chp Şile Youth Branch / instagram: @chpsilegenclikkollari
Fatih Kökbalık / Instagram: @fatih_kkblk25
Oğuzhan Budur / Instagram: @oguzhanbudurr
Berna melek / Instagram: @bersica
Cemre tokatlı / Instagram: @cemretokatli
