Aegean Dreaming with Ninon
Some brands arrive with a bang. Others, like Ninon, unfold more quietly—thoughtful, poetic, and full of personality. Founded by longtime collaborators Mert Aslan and Ahmet Güneş, Ninon is less about chasing trends and more about evoking a feeling. A memory. A sense of place.
The idea for Ninon was born in Paris back in 2017. Mert, a former Fashion Director at Harper’s Bazaar Türkiye and Marie Claire Türkiye, had spent years behind the scenes curating style for others. Ahmet, a vintage costume jewellery connoisseur, brought with him a deep knowledge of jewellery history—and a sharp eye for character pieces. The duo clicked creatively and decided to build something of their own: a brand rooted in artistry, nostalgia, and storytelling.
They named it after Ninon de l’Enclos, a 17th-century French writer and icon of wit, independence, and unapologetic elegance. It’s a fitting muse for a jewellery line that doesn’t take itself too seriously, but still makes you feel a little fabulous when you wear it.
From Istanbul’s Workbenches to the Aegean Coast
Each Ninon piece is handcrafted by artisans in Istanbul. There’s a tactile quality to the work—organic forms, irregular pearls, sea-washed textures—that feels both grounded and dreamlike. The design language blends classic silhouettes with playful nods to mythology, literature, and old-world glamour.
Their most recent collection, Aegean Dream, draws straight from the duo’s shared love for the Aegean coast. A collection where Halicarnassus is dignified in all its glory. You can feel it in the details: fig leaves in gold, coral-tinted charms, jewellery that looks like it’s been bleached gently by the sun. There are echoes of Dionysian feasts, salt in the air, starfish tangled in seagrass. It’s wistful, but also a little cheeky—just like summer.
Aegean Dream, Told in Gold and Coral
The vibe is slow. Unhurried. Tables under olive trees, grapevines casting shade, something soft playing in the background. The pieces are made to be worn barefoot or dressed up. They're the kind of thing that gets passed around at dinner because someone always asks, “Where did you get that?” Not surprisingly, these pieces have become our go-to accessories for strolling around the marina—easy to throw on with linen or swimwear, but still guaranteed to start a conversation.
With Ninon, Mert and Ahmet have managed to bottle a feeling: not just of the Aegean, but of connection, nostalgia, and beauty made personal. The dream, they say, never really ends.
And we believe them.