Born in 1988 in the Turkish capital, the interior designer Serap Korkmaz decided to move to Milan where she graduated at the European Institute of Design - IED. Her thesis project was exhibited at VIAFARINI / Fondazione Arnaldo Pomodoro (FAP).
Her working career starts at famous architecture studios including Riccardo Giovanetti Studio and Studio Mutti Architetti.
The designer’s double soul, visible through her creations and products, wants to be a new vital lymph for Turkish design by introducing it into the international arena. "Sofia" tea set has been the first project of a series of neoclassical design works that blend contemporary tradition and minimalism.

Tea is one of the irreplaceable elements in Turkish culture, drinking and making tea is almost a ritual, a social experience and a sign of hospitality. The slim waist glass is an iconic object of Turkish culture and art.
"Sofia" is named after "Ayasofya", called in Italian "Basilica di Santa Sofia", one of Istanbul's most important iconic monuments.
The tea set is made up of different Turkish cultural objects, including thin cups, matching saucers and teaspoons, a ceramic teapot and milky jug, and a wooden, marble and brass tray.
The details on the teaspoons refer to historical objects of Turkish culture, in this case to a historic headdress, the Fez, produced in ceramic from italian artisan companies.
Despite the short history of this product, it has received prestigious awards including the Red Dot Award 2016 and the German Design Award 2017 and it was exhibited in two different events in 2016: at the "Sharing Design - Milano Markets" during the Milano Design Week and at the prestigious Nilufar Depot Art Gallery in Milan.
This collection ca be viewed and bought at the TID showroom in via Pordoi 8 in Baranzate, a few steps from Milan.

INFO/PHOTO COURTESY: Serap Korkmaz