Desa
Desa is a Turkish leather goods company founded in Istanbul in 1972 by Melih Çelet. It makes leather jackets, bags, shoes and accessories and runs around 70 stores in Turkey.
| Founded | 1972 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Melih Çelet |
| Headquarters | Istanbul |
| Stores | About 70 in Turkey |
| Listing | Borsa Istanbul (DESA) |
| Website | desa.com.tr |
What is Desa?
Desa is a leather fashion company from Turkey, founded in 1972 by Melih Çelet, then a chemistry student. It is headquartered in Istanbul and listed on Borsa Istanbul.
Products and positioning
Desa's range covers:
- Leather jackets
- Bags, backpacks and suitcases
- Shoes and accessories
- Other leather goods
The company is vertically integrated, with factories in Istanbul and Düzce and its own tannery in Çorlu. As well as its own brands, it produces leather goods for international fashion brands.
Distribution
Desa runs around 70 retail stores in Turkey and serves the UK market, while exporting to the United States and Europe. It opened a New York office in 1986. Since the 1980s it has also been the distributor of Samsonite in Turkey.
Why it matters
Turkey is one of Europe's main sources of leather goods, and Desa is one of its best known brands, combining a domestic retail chain with manufacturing for international labels. That dual role makes it a useful example of how Turkish makers have built consumer brands on top of production expertise.
Frequently asked questions
Who founded Desa?
Desa was founded in 1972 by Melih Çelet, who was a chemistry student at the time.
What does Desa sell?
Leather jackets, bags, backpacks, suitcases, shoes and accessories.