MUSE VOL. I

MUSE VOL. I

OZLEM

Meet our muse, Ozlem. Owner of The Corduroy Hotel in Bali, creative force, mother, friend, and visionary. As part of MUSE, our spotlight series celebrates the women who move, create, and inspire. Our exclusive video interviews will be unveiled on Instagram @stateofgeorgia. In the meantime, we introduce Ozlem's story and some quickfire Q&A highlights our recent shoot at The Corduroy.

Tucked away in a quiet corner of paradise, The Corduroy Hotel is more than just a boutique stay, it’s a love story between nature, intuition, and one woman’s unexpected journey.

“Originally, when I bought this place, it was a rundown surf camp - completely overgrown and abandoned for two or three years. But the moment I walked in, I was captivated. Among the ruins were these magnificent trees, and something about the energy of the space pulled me in.”

What began as a spontaneous visit soon turned into something far greater.

“I didn’t even intend to buy it. But on the same day I thought, ‘I wish I could afford this,’ I got an offer on a piece of land - and everything just connected. Out of nowhere, with no plan, I ended up owning it. And here we are.”

With just her children, one assistant - Komang - and a vision, Ozlem brought the Corduroy back to life.

“There were definitely days, as a single mum, where I was crying in the corner, wondering what I’d done. But every time someone tells me they think it’s beautiful, it means the world. Just the two of us - Komang and I - reshaped this space. The structure is mostly the same, but the transformation has been profound...”

You can check out The Corduroy Hotel HERE, and follow @stateofgeorgia for the full interview coming soon.

Georgia: Bandana or stripes?

Ozlem: Bandana.

Georgia: Favourite vacation spot?

Ozlem: Ooh, Lake Como and Istanbul for sure.

Georgia: What advice would you give your younger self?

Ozlem: Never ever date a man that likes the mirror more than yourself.

Georgia: Favourite book?

Ozlem: Definitely anything by Oscar Wilde.

Georgia: What's your favourite State of Georgia piece?

Ozlem: Right now, I'd say Patchwork Sally.

Georgia: One thing people don't know about you?

Ozlem: That deep down I speak to my plants and I collect crystals.

Georgia: If you could have a coffee with anyone, who would it be?

Ozlem: Oh, it would definitely be a toss up between Prince and Elvis Presley. Prince is definitely on my list.

Georgia: Describe your personal style.

Ozlem: I don't know if I can put my personal style into one word, but I would say that it's a mixture between thrift shopping, mashing up, tomboy styles with a little bit of a designer.

Georgia: How much fun have we had on this island since we've known each other?

Ozlem: Way too much fun. I think we're the OG Bali crew from many, many moons ago, and I think we've had more fun than we might have deserved in this lifetime on this island.

Georgia: I agree.

Follow us for the full interviews soon @stateofgeorgia