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  5. Travel Diaries: St. Frank Founder Christina Bryant Takes on Istanbul

Travel Diaries: St. Frank Founder Christina Bryant Takes on Istanbul

By Caroline Hallemann October 21, 2015
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Credit: Courtesy of Kate Munsch
As the CEO of St. Frank, a curated collection of ethically sourced home goods, Christina Bryant is always on the move, searching for new products.

“All of our pieces are created in traditional crafts. So, learning about the wide range of textiles and the history and iconography behind their creation, is crucial to our ability to develop authentic, beautifully made pieces with a story to tell,” she said, when asked how travel influences the line.

“Designing my own home, I felt a pain point in searching for beautiful pieces that also spoke to my values as a global citizen,” she continued.

“There are, of course, no shortage of gorgeous materials and items for the home, but pieces that are also ethically sourced and have rich stories behind them are much more difficult to find.”

“I wanted my home to tell the story of who I am. I wanted my home investments to be both aligned with my moral compass and also interesting items. I wanted to create a special place to live and entertain that was true to me. So, our mission is to take traditional crafts and offer a new lifestyle: to create a home that tells our collectors’ story and shares their values through high quality, authentic, and ethically sourced pieces.”

Here, Bryant shares her tour of Istanbul, where she shopped for vintage textile, and met with potential partners for the brand’s burgeoning bath line, in addition to taking in the sights of the Gateway to the East.
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Travel Diaries: St. Frank Founder Christina Bryant Takes on Istanbul
Credit: Courtesy of Kate Munsch

“A view of the Blue Mosque.”

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Travel Diaries: St. Frank Founder Christina Bryant Takes on Istanbul
Credit: Courtesy of Kate Munsch

“Inside the Blue Mosque taking in the prayers and ornate ceiling.”

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Travel Diaries: St. Frank Founder Christina Bryant Takes on Istanbul
Credit: Courtesy of Kate Munsch

“Fisherman on the bridge as we walk from Karakoy to the old town.”

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Travel Diaries: St. Frank Founder Christina Bryant Takes on Istanbul
Credit: Courtesy of Kate Munsch

“The main gate, Gate 1, to the Grand Bazaar.”

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Travel Diaries: St. Frank Founder Christina Bryant Takes on Istanbul
Credit: Courtesy of Kate Munsch

“Sipping traditional apple tea while shopping.”

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Travel Diaries: St. Frank Founder Christina Bryant Takes on Istanbul
Credit: Courtesy of Kate Munsch

“A wall of vintage decorative pieces from Turkey and Uzbekistan.”

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Travel Diaries: St. Frank Founder Christina Bryant Takes on Istanbul
Credit: Courtesy of Kate Munsch

Christina shopping vintage Suzani and Lakai textiles in the Grand Bazaar.

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Travel Diaries: St. Frank Founder Christina Bryant Takes on Istanbul
Credit: Courtesy of Kate Munsch

“A vendor showing us the difference between synthetic and non-synthetic materials through flammability. A little nerve wracking!”

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Travel Diaries: St. Frank Founder Christina Bryant Takes on Istanbul
Credit: Courtesy of Kate Munsch

“Piles of silk Ikat and vintage hats in the Grand Bazaar.”

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Travel Diaries: St. Frank Founder Christina Bryant Takes on Istanbul
Credit: Courtesy of Kate Munsch

Christina perusing shops in the Grand Bazaar.

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Travel Diaries: St. Frank Founder Christina Bryant Takes on Istanbul
Credit: Courtesy of Kate Munsch

“Spices in the Spice Market. We picked up saffron and jasmine tea.”

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Travel Diaries: St. Frank Founder Christina Bryant Takes on Istanbul
Credit: Courtesy of Kate Munsch

“The hustle of trade on the walk between the Grand Bazaar and the Spice Bazaar.”

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Travel Diaries: St. Frank Founder Christina Bryant Takes on Istanbul
Credit: Courtesy of Kate Munsch

“Organic silk scarves and hamam boxes.”

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Travel Diaries: St. Frank Founder Christina Bryant Takes on Istanbul
Credit: Courtesy of Kate Munsch

“Some of the beautiful vintage kilim we brought back.”

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Travel Diaries: St. Frank Founder Christina Bryant Takes on Istanbul
Credit: Courtesy of Kate Munsch

Galata Tower.

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Travel Diaries: St. Frank Founder Christina Bryant Takes on Istanbul
Credit: Courtesy of Kate Munsch

“The moody interior of the Hagia Sofia.”

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Travel Diaries: St. Frank Founder Christina Bryant Takes on Istanbul
Credit: Courtesy of Kate Munsch

“One of bridges over the Bosphorus, looking from the old city toward Karakoy.”

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