Think about your box of treasures. The one tucked away at the back of a wardrobe or hidden inside a bedside drawer.
A shell from a vacation... a pebble that fits perfectly in your hand... or a lucky pendant that lost its chain years ago. Keepsakes, personal artifacts — whatever your version looks like, that instinct to collect sits at the heart of Maison Irem. We have always believed that the brands we bring into our world should feel like kindred spirits. Creators who share our reverence for nature, and who create pieces that transcend seasons. To celebrate our custom bag charms, we invited Irem Sesigur to share an inside look into her creative process, her Mediterranean roots, and the philosophy behind her distinctively personal pieces.
Can you tell us a little about yourself and how Maison Irem first came to life?
Maison Irem grew very organically from my love for collecting beautiful handmade objects, vintage jewelry, shells, beads, fabrics, and little memories from my vacations—things that carry emotion and character. I always loved creating combinations that felt personal, not what everyone else is wearing. What started as making pieces intuitively for myself slowly became a universe of its own, and eventually grew to become Maison Irem.
Your pieces feel incredibly personal and artistic. What originally drew you to jewelry and bag charm design specifically?
I’ve always been fascinated by the emotional value objects can hold.
Jewelry feels intimate—it travels with you, collects memories, and becomes part of your everyday rituals.
What inspires you most creatively right now? Are there certain places, objects, colors, or memories you keep returning to?
I keep returning to my Mediterranean roots, childhood summer memories from our trips to the old towns alongside the Aegean Sea, and my parents, who are both very creative—especially my father. I am also inspired by concerts, flea markets, vintage interiors, sun-faded colors, shells, silver, pearls, and objects that feel discovered rather than designed. I’m very inspired by music, travel, and craftsmanship—things with a story and making a memory.
Your charms feel like collected treasures. What do you hope people feel when they wear or style them?
I hope they feel personal, unique, and happy—almost like carrying small souvenirs or talismans with them. I love when accessories feel layered with memories.
As ocean lovers, we adore your use of shells and pearls. Do you have a personal connection to the ocean?
I grew up by the Mediterranean, so the sea has always been part of me somehow—turquoise water, hot sand, salty skin, and collecting shells for hours as a kid. Later, I moved to the Netherlands, where the ocean feels completely different: colder, wilder, and moodier in a beautiful way. About 15 years ago, we started surfing as a family—me, my husband, and our two sons—and since then, we’ve traveled to surf coastlines around the world. I’ve always loved how shells and pearls keep reappearing in different worlds and cultures, too—from tiny treasures collected on Mediterranean beaches to vintage surf-style puka shells and traditional jewelry details from Central and South Asia. I think that connection naturally finds its way into my designs through shells, pearls, and playful little twists inspired by the sea.
As a creative founder, what has been the most rewarding part of building your brand so far?
The most rewarding part has been seeing people emotionally connect to the pieces and style them in their own personal way. I also love that Maison Irem has created a community of people who appreciate beauty, storytelling, and individuality in a similar way.
Is there a piece from the collaboration that feels especially personal or exciting to you?
The Spotted Big Cowrie Shell Charm is the piece that feels most personal and exciting to me. It really captures the essence of the Maison Irem universe and the Vitamin A spirit—sun-soaked, natural, and earthy.
It feels like a true expression of both brands coming together in a simple, beautiful way.
How do you personally style bag charms or jewelry in your everyday life?
I usually style things quite intuitively and in layers. I love mixing metals, pearls, vintage pieces, and charms together in a way that feels collected over time. I often attach charms not only to bags, but also to belts, belt loops, or keychains—I like accessories to feel versatile and lived-in.
What’s next for Maison Irem that you’re excited about?
I am excited to keep expanding the Maison Irem world beyond jewelry, developing more handcrafted pieces, and keeping traditional techniques like weaving alive, which are slowly disappearing. I’m also really interested in handmade embroidery and upcycling beautiful existing pieces. That’s the kind of direction I really want to dive into next.