Good People of vitruta: Roksan Sarfati

Roksan, welcome to Good People of vitruta! When we first met, you were in a completely different role, working in the corporate world. In recent years, however, we’ve been admiringly following your journey as the founder of one of Turkey’s most beloved sustainable brands.

I’ll throw you the hardest question to start with: Who is Roksan Sarfati? How did your journey begin, and where is it heading?

Thank you so much. Yes, when we met, I had shifted from fashion design to buying. At that time, Máh-roc was just a side project, but since 2019, it’s been my full-time endeavor.

Growing up in a family business rooted in textiles and diverse cultures, I was always surrounded by fabrics and traditions from around the world. My mother is Italian, my father is Turkish, and we spoke French at home, so travel, culture, and textiles were always integral to my life. After completing my fashion design studies in 2013, I returned to Turkey from Italy. While working as a designer in leading companies, I became aware of the issues within the fast fashion industry, and Máh-roc began with my collection of discarded fabrics. Today, these fabrics come from various countries and now reflect my extended travels and collaborations with local women artisans in the places I visit.

We often hear about recycled products, but actually, upcycling is the most beneficial and correct approach for our planet. However, isn’t the process of gathering fabrics, finding old materials, and turning them into new products very challenging?

Upcycling is one of the steps taken to prevent materials from going to waste or being recycled in conventional ways. The process is challenging because, in countries strong in textiles, the level of education and awareness around this issue tends to be lower. We try to act as quickly as possible to prevent discarded fabrics from being sent to waste or conventional recycling.

The difficulty in sourcing materials varies depending on the region and country we’re in. Let’s just say we don’t always collect them from the nicest places! Converting these fabrics into products has become easier compared to our early years, as we now create designs that are more conscious and responsible.

How did Sri Lanka become part of Máh-roc’s story and yours? It’s now such a big part of the work that we could say you have one foot in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka became part of my journey when I decided to leave corporate life and set out on a solo trip. From the moment I arrived on the island, it became part of my story. After returning from that trip, I quit my job, and six months later, I moved there. On my second trip, my goal was to establish Máh-roc. The waste fabrics I collected along the way led me to work with local women there on weaving projects. I’m setting off again next month to continue the same work.

What inspires you on the design side of your work?

Travel, the diverse cultures of Balat, where our studio is located, and the villages of the Black Sea region, where we create special collections.

While you’re fully engaged with Máh-roc, what things do you personally draw inspiration from? What are you reading, watching, or listening to these days?

Right now, I’m reading Staying Alive by Vandana Shiva. I also recently picked up the latest issue of Monocle The Entrepreneurs, which is full of truly inspiring stories. I’ve even gone back to my collection of New Philosopher magazines that I’ve gathered over the years. :) And I regularly listen to the Esmiyor Podcast.

Would you tell us your top 5 favorite brands on Vitruta?

Of course! First, Máh-roc :) Also, RAINS, Vans, Lar Studio, and Fjällräven.