For 59 years, 71-year-old Ismail Keser has been meticulously stitching bespoke garments in the Turkish province of Çorum, dedicating his life to a profession that is steadily disappearing. Honored as the 2023 “Master Craftsman of the Year,” Keser fondly remembers an era when custom tailoring was highly sought after, long before ready-made clothing dominated the market. Lamenting the decline of his beloved trade, he noted that modern consumers lack patience for multiple fittings and young apprentices are no longer willing to commit the years required to learn the craft. “Whatever I have earned so far, I have earned through hard work and honesty,” Keser proudly stated, reflecting on a lifetime spent perfecting his art. Despite modern challenges, the devoted artisan continues to work tirelessly in his shop, balancing his free time with beekeeping and gardening.
Mehmet Can Kör