No99, embracing every branch of art, has mesmerized art lovers with its unique concept launched this year. By bringing together works from 99 different artists in limited-edition t-shirt collections, No99 transforms art into a wearable form, making it an integral part of our lives. Erkan Katırcı, one of the founders of No99, shared the journey behind this special brand with us. Enjoy the read.
-Hello. As the founder of No99, can you tell us about the brand’s origin story? What inspired you to start this journey?
-I’m Erkan Katırcı. I’m a writer with a third book on the way, but so far, I haven’t gained financial returns from my books. Many artists I know face the same situation, or they have to work other jobs to make a living. This often prevents people from pursuing what they truly want to do. Many of my friends have stopped creating art and turned to other professions. No99 is an initiative I created, believing we could overcome this challenge together. I wanted to make art more visible in society by integrating it into daily-use products like textiles. Then I met Esra and Sergen, who helped No99 grow and evolve, and together with all our efforts, No99 was born.
-What is the core philosophy that has helped No99 carve out its unique place in the art and fashion world?
-Originality and authenticity. Our collection includes 99 artists, with only one piece accepted from each artist, and we produce only 99 t-shirts per piece. These are numbered and sent with a certificate. We aim to preserve the uniqueness of each artwork rather than mass-producing it, allowing us to work with more artists.
-Can you provide details on No99’s “Artist Works” category? How does it operate?
-“Artist Works” is an upcoming project where artists can sell their works through No99. Our goal is to make No99 a special platform for art.
-How is the placement of artists’ works in the t-shirt collections determined? How do you manage this process?
-Of course, we have criteria. Originality and sincerity play a crucial role. We carefully review each piece, with a team of artists, including myself, overseeing the selection. I personally focus on whether the artwork reflects the artist’s true voice and interests, rather than just meeting expectations. Deciding on this is not always easy.
-What impact do you expect the inclusion of original works in your collections to have on art lovers?
-I believe everyone is an art lover, even if they don’t realize it yet. In everyday life, almost everyone engages with at least one form of art, like listening to music or watching films. We tend to limit our view of what art is, and labeling people as “art lovers” can sometimes diminish the influence of both the artist and the artwork. That’s how I see it. People who don’t identify as art lovers are buying t-shirts from No99’s collection, and we know that artworks from some of the artists we work with have been purchased by well-known figures. Some are displayed on the walls of restaurants or in the homes of government employees. Everyone is an art lover, but we need to recognize this. That’s why we include a small manifesto in our packaging to raise awareness, even in a small way.
-What can you share about No99’s future goals and projects? What’s coming up in the near future?
-We are planning to launch another “99 Project” for the winter collection. Besides that, we continue working on the “Artist Works” category and have a publishing idea in mind. We aim to publish books, with each edition limited to 99 copies, focusing on literary arts. In short, No99 is steadily becoming an artistic platform, thanks to all the artists we collaborate with.
-What special experiences and opportunities does No99 offer to art lovers and collectors?
-Among us are artists from various disciplines like painters, writers, poets, and sculptors, and our numbers continue to grow. Each artwork in our collection is sent with a unique certificate for the collector, ensuring its originality. This is a limited-edition product, with only 99 of each textile piece created worldwide, and it’s an artist’s work. We understand the need to consume, so we suggest consuming art instead. Wear art, live art, share art!
Ig: instagram.com/nodoksandokuz/
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