Supporting sustainability in science and life, SkinCeuticals, together with Aslı Filinta, has launched the “Adding Value Comes from Our Hands” project. Inspired by Anatolia and the power of women, the project collaborated with Hatay Altınözü Zeytin Emeği Women’s Initiative Production and Business Cooperative, in short, Hazek Women’s Cooperative. The project focuses on transforming the region’s almost forgotten craftsmanship, Cimem. This technique, also known as Sini knitting, is a traditional plant-based weaving technique from Anatolia that dates back to the early days of the Turkish Republic. Cimem products are crafted by braiding wheat stalks.
Following the earthquake in Turkey on February 6, 2023, the project aims to employ women from the earthquake region, strengthening their economic and societal standing while emphasizing the traditional Anatolian cultural handcraft. Hazek Women’s Cooperative’s production helped continue the tradition of wheat stalk knitting, and through using wheat as the primary material, sustainable hand-made bags were designed. This transformation project supported 210 women and their families, and older women introduced the knitting technique to younger women in the region. To make 4000 bags, an average of 7 tons of wheat, equivalent to 40 acres of field harvest, was consumed, and all remaining wheat stalks were used to make bags.
Aslı Filinta described the project with the following words:
‘This collaboration uses the power of design, transforming Anatolia’s traditional handicrafts and values into a usable form that meets the needs of our world. A partnership that focuses on supporting women from the beginning. Created by knitting wheat stalks and colored with root dye, these sustainable bags are made by women in Antakya. This heart-warming project carries old traditions to the future, protecting our values and each other.’
SkinCeuticals Brand Leader Melis Şahin explained her feelings for the project as follows:
“After the earthquake we experienced, we thought about how to do something useful for our country and worked on the concept of ‘collectivity’ that would align with our brand’s values. Our paths crossed with designer Aslı Filinta, who draws her inspiration from Anatolia and the power of women. Our dream was to initiate a transformation through this project, to help revive a traditional craft and pass it to new generations, and to empower women. We are delighted to be part of this transformation story, which draws attention to Anatolia, women, handicrafts, and sustainability.’
Head of Hazek Women’s Cooperation Leyla Ayvazoğlu said:
“Our cooperative, founded in late 2019, was established to serve underprivileged women who want to produce and generate income. Through the Ministry of Trade and Aslı Filinta, we met with SkinCeuticals, and this project has added a completely different dimension to our city’s forgotten certified crafting method called ‘cimem.’ We are thankful to all the women in our region and people who took part in this collaboration, especially Aslı Hanım, Hande Hanım, and Begüm Hanım, who brought us together and opened our horizons. We sincerely wish that our revived Cimem tradition continues for generations.”
This project was successfully implemented, thanks to the support of, Enif Yavuz Dipşar, Head of the Women and Social Services Department of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, Ahmet Şimşek, Deputy General Manager of the State Development Agency affiliated with the Ministry of Industry and Trade, and Hande Kara, Manager of the Social Entrepreneurship Strengthening and Harmonization Project.