Good People of vitruta: Iraz Polat

Welcome to Good People, Iraz! Let’s start with the classic question: Who is Iraz Polat? How did it all begin, how is it progressing, and what is Iraz doing?

I’m very happy to be part of Good People of vitruta. Being part of such an inspiring community reignites the sense of belonging I’ve been longing for. I’m glad I came! :)

To introduce myself briefly, I’m a communicator passionate about freedom, inner peace, and creative expression. I was born in Ankara and graduated from Ted College and the Economics department at Bilkent University. You could say I fit the stereotypical profile of an Ankaralı. (Until I found myself in Istanbul.)

After moving to Istanbul, I gained significant experience working at McCann Erickson, both on the agency and brand sides. In 2007, after completing the Design Culture and Management program at Bilgi University, I began writing articles on design and art. I’ve written for platforms like Radikal Tasarım, İstanbul Art News, Artful Living, and Design Limited. For a time, I was the publication coordinator for the ICE magazine at Contemporary Istanbul.

Amidst the transience of everything, the cultural field has increasingly captivated me day by day. Listening to this voice, I established my own consulting company, focusing on developing and managing communication for art and design projects I’m passionate about.

Let's start with the story of Content Hotel; how did you embark on this journey?

After many years of working as a creative strategist, I began to feel unfulfilled and alienated by traditional advertising focused on consumption. I realized I wanted to break away from that crowd and pursue work that touches the soul, prioritizes courage in creativity, and has high added value. I asked myself wholeheartedly what I wanted to do, and following that path, I founded my own business, Content Hotel, in 2017.

I prioritized doing my work with love and belief, choosing a niche category like cultural communication, and wholeheartedly embraced this venture with all my courage. At Content Hotel, we create content and experience projects that connect brands with creators and artists. We position ourselves quite differently from predictable, quick agency solutions.

We primarily work on content creation, visual design, workshop and event curation, and creative collaborations. We have projects with brands like Kale Design and Art Center, Mamut Art Project, Meşher, Red Bull, Samsung dART, Adidas Originals, and Swatch Turkey, and the completed works can be viewed on our Instagram account, content_hotel.

Can you give us some examples of brand and artist collaborations that have caught your interest recently?

One recent artist collaboration project that I found remarkable is the Lady Dior Art Project. In this collaboration with women artists from different countries, the brand's iconic bag takes on various creative expressions, transforming a functional item into the artist's canvas. It was also a pleasant surprise to see ceramic artist Burçak Bingöl, whose work I admire, featured in the third series of this project.

Given that we live in an economy of attention, the collaboration between Yayoi Kusama and Louis Vuitton stands out as one of the most interesting to me. They staged a massive showcase worldwide. The Adidas x Marimekko collaboration is also a great example of creative collaboration between brands. The cultural poppy flower pattern of Marimekko, one of Finland's most established fashion brands known for its vibrant and bold designs, was integrated into their sportswear collection, bringing a fresh design perspective to the category.

Which art galleries and museums in Istanbul do you closely follow? Which exhibitions are always on your radar?

Due to my work, I try to keep track of the programs of art institutions, including global ones, and they are always on my radar. The Venice Biennale, which could be called the world's largest art event, is something I've closely followed and has greatly inspired me for the past twelve years. I keep track of the exhibition schedules of all galleries and museums in Istanbul, big and small. Recently, Casa Botter has excited me the most; I can say my eyes welled up while wandering around on opening day. I hope the curatorial program and communication of such a successful restoration project will be sustainable and touch many people. There are rare moments when I venture into the corners of old Istanbul, like the Istanbul Archaeology Museum and Barınhan, and I'm always happy to be able to take the time for that. Ambidexter, located in Galata, is one of my favorite contemporary art galleries, and I keep a close eye on it.

Shifting away from the art scene and returning to how you spend your time in the city with Summer, where do you have the most enjoyable time in Istanbul?

You might laugh, but I spend the most enjoyable time at my own home in Istanbul. :) I wake up to a courtyard with trees, accompanied by the scent of linden these days. Summer has been with me for two months. We have a walking route in Maçka, a favorite coffee shop, and a small park where I chat with other dog owners in the neighborhood. While this may sound like a mundane routine, it makes me feel good with its calmness and greenery. My number one simple joy in the city is taking a ferry ride; I could say that's my favorite way to find happiness in the city. Currently, my only good reason to mix with the crowd is the Good People gatherings, sweet conversations, and encounters, which make it worthwhile for me to leave the house. :)

Last question related to us. What are your three favorite brands at vitruta?

As a communicator, I can say that I find Good People of vitruta to be a valuable brand. We live in an extremely materialistic world. Amidst all these “things,” in a life dominated by digital identities, we can be quite distant from each other, making it hard to connect, talk, or even say hello. Good People is a very sweet community where I’ve reconnected with names I already knew and made new acquaintances. Good people, good communication. What more could we want?

I believe that dressing is an important part of personal expression. My style reflects me; I think it’s an extension of my life choices. I listen to my style, not fashion—like my inner voice. :)

For me, just as it’s important to connect with good people, choosing good brands holds significance. VEJA, in vitruta’s portfolio, has gained my admiration and respect for its eco-friendly approach and being vegan. After watching the documentary about the brand’s production, I was convinced that it is not just any sneaker. It’s on my future shopping list. :)

Recently, fashion and sustainability have become some of the hottest topics. The footprint we all contribute to the world with fashion waste has grown to a visible size from space. By making the right choices, we can define our impact on nature. For example, my raincoat and laptop bag are from RAINS, which I’ve been using for quite some time. I haven’t gotten a single drop of water on me during the wettest days of the Venice Biennale. With its minimal style and durability, I know I’ll be using it for many years; good choices make you feel good. RAINS was such a choice.

Click here to see the products styled by Melis Güven and used and selected by Iraz Polat.