Good People of vitruta: Ayça Batak

Ayça Batak, the newest member Good People of vitruta, answered the questions we sent her.

Welcome, Ayça! We know you well as part of the vitruta family, especially since we’ve had the chance to collaborate for about two years. This time, we wanted to introduce you to the followers of Good People of vitruta. Who is Ayça Batak, and what does she do?

I was born in Edirne in 1994 and lived there until I went to university. Later, I was accepted into Kocaeli University’s Faculty of Fine Arts, Photography Department. After living in Izmit for a while, I moved to Istanbul, where I continued my studies and interned at various places. Now, I work freelance, collaborating with brands and creating work.

What films and series have you watched and liked recently?

I have a bit of a mixed list, but my favorites during the pandemic were Anne with an EBlack SpotFreudRagnarokI Am Not Okay with ThisIn the Tall GrassMarriage StoryUnorthodox, and The Staircase.

Do you have any YouTube channels or podcasts that you follow regularly?

Lately, I’ve been browsing YouTube constantly. I’m into both fun content and van-life channels, which are part of my own dreams as well. Trail of Us is one of my favorites. I also enjoy watching Flu TV and Mesut Süre.

What do you like to do in Istanbul? Where do you spend most of your time? And how much do you love the city?

I’m someone who sometimes longs to leave Istanbul, yet also feels like, “I could never live without this city.” :) Since the first day I arrived, Kadıköy has held a special place in my heart. It always makes me feel at home. If I’m in Kadıköy, my favorite spot is Bina, my go-to place. For a nice coffee with friends, Manifesto. And recently, I’ve been visiting Dün, which has amazing food. These are my top spots. But even though I’m a Kadıköy lover, I currently live in Cihangir. I love Cihangir’s unique style and its small, compact vibe.

Could you share your top 5 favorite brands at vitruta?

Since discovering vitruta, I’ve fallen in love with Kånken. I want every color, every style! Rains comes in second—especially the fantastic colors they’ve launched recently! I’m also a big fan of Les BenjaminsLar Studio, and all the sneaker models!