Designers and design fans are getting ready for Istanbul Design Week, which is a week-long series of workshops, conferences, and exhibitions. Held between September 28^th and October 2^nd, Istanbul Design Week will include Design Spirit Istanbul—an exhibition that will feature 40 works by 40 Turkish designers under the age of 40. One of the participants in this exhibition is Rozit Arditi, who will be showcasing tumbler stools that she calls “Rockitt” and “Corkitt”. The stools, like small rocking-chairs without arms or back, were inspired by the Turkish “weeble wobble” toy known as Hacı Yatmaz.

Who is Rozit?

Rozit is a 27 year-old Istanbul native who has been working as a furniture designer in New York for the past five years. She knew from a very young age that she wanted to become a designer and honed her craft in art studios during grade school and high school, and at summer programs at Pratt and the prestigious Rhode Island School of Design (RISD). She credits the rigorous undergraduate program at RISD (especially its initial “foundation year”) with giving her invaluable hands-on training, as well as teaching her to think in a structured way.

Her award-winning work

Rozit won Interior Design Magazine’s “Best Product of the Year Award” for her Melina Dresser (for Modernlink) and her OSS Seating Unit (for Dune), in November of 2006 and 2008 respectively. One of Rozit’s most innovative designs, the “Spiral Table” was showcased during the International Contemporary Furniture Fair in New York in 2011 at an offsite venue. Her work has been written about in Domino, Dwell, Elle Décor, IDMagazine, Interior Design, and the New York Times.

What is she doing now?

In addition to her tumbler stool project, Rozit is currently commissioned by high-profile interior design offices for furniture consultation and custom design work. She is now working on the interior decoration of a number of summer houses in the Hamptons as well as a townhouse in Soho that she describes as “modern but glamorous.”

Rozit’s Istanbul

Every time Rozit visits Istanbul—which she does approximately every three months—she is struck by the changes it has undergone. It always appears cleaner, with more roads, more parks, and more greenery. The longer-term changes in the city are harder for Rozit to put into words: in her opinion, “what has changed is me.”

Here is what Rozit had to say about the city that inspires her:

What is your earliest memory of Istanbul?

A ferry ride to Büyükada...the moment when the boat hit the shore.

What are your favorite neighborhoods in Istanbul?

Galata, Cihangir, and Şişhane. They’re so old, with so much history. Also Balat and Hasköy—these places will be the next Cihangir, in my opinion.

What’s your favorite place to eat breakfast?

Bebek Kahve.

Lunch?

Atik Büfe in Nişantaşı.

Dinner?

Münferit—they have such an interesting selection of food.

Brunch?

Kale, by the water...plus all those new cafes in Cihangir. They have a more “brunchy” feel.

What food do you miss the most when away from Istanbul?

Tost(grilled cheese sandwich). And simit (Turkish bagel).

Favorite view in the city?

Crossing the Haliç Bridge. And the view from Hamdi Restaurant.

Favorite getaway location in Turkey?

Bozcaada, but I’ve also heard great things about Cunda Adası. Haven't been yet.

Favorite day-trip location in Istanbul?

Büyükada.

Favorite bar?

Lokal. You can sit outside if you want, but the interior is also full of history. The architecture, the tiles – everything about it is great. So is the food. 

Favorite meyhane?

Mekan...they have Turkish, Jewish, and Armenian food.

Favorite Turkish designer?

I don’t really like picking favorites, but I like AUTOBAN's style. There are a lot of young designers, too, who people aren’t aware of. We must promote younger talent. There’s amazing work coming from them that needs to be recognized. 

What do you miss most about Istanbul in general?

The connection between people.