The Story Behind the Chimera Collection - You Will Find Yourself Here

Nature is far from perfect. Frankly, it’s chaotic, horrifying, even dangerous. It comprises mostly incompatible parts, but we can find harmony in it. And it is beautiful. We’re drawn to it, maybe because we see a piece of it in ourselves or vice-versa. The Chimera Collection is a bridge to this connection. None of us are perfect, yet we are all appealing in our own way.

What Makes Chimera Collection Special?

The Chimera Collection holds a special place in our hearts because they’re the products of our founder, Humeyra Zengin’s mindscape and one of the pillars of Sterna. Way before Sterna and Chimera Collection, there were sketches of these creatures in Humeyra’s notebooks, and everything started with her desire to share her designs with people in some context.

Where Does Chimera Come from?

The Chimera (with capital C) is a hideous monster in ancient Greek mythology. Homer describes it, “[in] head and shoulders, she was like a lion, / in back and tail, a snake, and in the middle, / a she-goat, and she breathed a dreadful blast / of blazing fire” in The Iliad’s 2023 translation by Emily Wilson, Professor of Classical Studies at the University of Pennsylvania. Of course, like most of the concepts borrowed from ancient Greek myths—or myths, in general—the use of the term evolved in time. It is a general architectural term for any grotesque, fantastic, or imaginary decorative beast. In a more contemporary context, chimeras are organisms with at least two sets of DNA in genetics. A chimera is mainly associated with evil, like most things that are out of the ordinary. Take witchcraft, for example. Intelligent, capable, and powerful women were accused of being witches. Today, the term is owned by women and has transformed into something positive; it has become a symbol of resistance and rebellion against male oppression—a shield, an armour, and in some cases, a weapon.

Reasons to Name Our Collection “Chimera”

There are a few extra layers besides the apparent reason—that is, the designs in the Chimera Collection are monsters comprised of incongruous parts—in naming our collection. First, chimera also means “an impossible dream,” and we want to reach out to people with impossible dreams. Moreover, people who are discouraged by others from pursuing their dreams.

Second, we wanted to subvert the historical and mythical negative context. Chimeras may be freaky and extraordinary, yet owning what used to insult or exclude can be worn like armour. The inspiration is from one of the most memorable pieces of advice by Tyrion Lannister to John Snow: “Let me give you some advice, bastard. Never forget what you are. The rest of the world will not. Wear it like armour, and it can never be used to hurt you.”

Third, we think nature itself is a chimera on a macro scale, and our designs reflect it on a micro scale. They bear parts from animals, plants, and humans, weirdly attached together, and seem quirky but lovable, just like nature. The Chimera Collection celebrates complexity and imperfections, turning mythical symbols into modern representations of resilience. It showcases the beautiful interaction between nature's diversity and the strength of embracing our unique qualities. The collection encourages everyone to take pride in their individuality, recognising it as a source of power and beauty.