Ahmet Opçin

Growing up in Istanbul, Ahmet often went to the Grand Bazaar – this famous attraction is one of the world’s oldest covered markets with 61 covered streets and over 4,000 shops offering a colorful kaleidoscope of sound and excitement.  It was at the Grand Bazaar that Ahmet became fascinated with watching the men at the shops restoring carpets and rugs.  At 15, he began working in a carpet gallery in the Grand Bazaar where he studied these restorers and taught himself the craft and art of carpet restoration while learning English in a private school.

When Ahmet was 18, with help and advising from his boss Metin Erin and partners, he began a family rug business with his younger brother Hasan, employing twelve other carpet restorers. In the late 80’s, the Opçin family business evolved into a large restoration company known as Woven Legends Restoration, reforming some years later into what is presently known as Antique Textile Conservation.

Today the company is much like a family of 40 workers who have been working together for over 30 years with Ahmet as the company’s Facilities Director.