A visit to the Atelier Minyon showroom on JCK Marketplace is not for the faint of heart. Inquisitive guests are enchanted by all sorts of creepy crawlies: spiders, snakes, bats, and even piranhas. But designer Alp Sagnak also delights with a softer side, hand-creating mermaids, frogs, and even a ring inspired by Yankee Stadium. Each piece is carefully made with strict attention to detail, combining 24k yellow gold and oxidized silver. That attention to detail is the reason Atelier Minyon has established an enviable celebrity following, with the honor of serving a favorite of yours truly, Marion Cotillard. Below, meet the man behind the firm’s striking creations.
JCK Marketplace: Could you give me a brief history of Atelier Minyon?
Alp Sagnak: I am the second generation in the family business of 45 years, with six retail stores and a wholesale operation. In 2008, we opened a flagship boutique in SoHo, New York, an extension of the Jewel House of Minyon based in Ankara, Turkey.
JCK Marketplace: If you could sum up Atelier Minyon in just a few words, which would you choose?
AS: Bold and daring, detailed craftsmanship, sexy, philosophical.
JCK Marketplace: What is your favorite piece from your Marketplace showroom, and why?
AS: Every piece has got a similar thought behind it. There are two sides to each individual: their wild side, and their naïve side. I’m always creating new pieces, so whatever was new for that day, it is my favorite. Ultimately, the next creation replaces the previous.
JCK Marketplace: If you could give one piece of advice to jewelry retailers, what would it be?
AS: Minimum cost equals maximum profit. You cannot have this equation with just the bridal market.
JCK Marketplace: Preferred happy hour indulgence?
AS: Black coffee and Turkish tobacco.
To see more of Alp’s designs, visit the Atelier Minyon showroom on JCK Marketplace.
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