The Pelin Cinar Edit: On Handcrafted Jewelry, Wardrobe Essentials & Uncommon Finds
FEATURED CURATOR
Meet The Curator
Meet Pelin, the founder and creative director of Milk & Rose jewelry house.
PELIN CINAR
FOUNDER, MILK & ROSE
Founded in 2021, Pelin Cinar launched Milk & Rose with a clear vision: to create elevated jewelry that feels luxurious, enduring, and consciously made. Specializing in handcrafted sterling silver, she designs every piece herself and personally leads all visual storytelling for the brand from photography to social media. Maintaining that level of creative control ensures that each collection reflects her standards for quality and detail.
Here, Cinar shares her favorite handcrafted jewelry, wardrobe essentials, under-the-radar labels, and a few of her favorite things, from a vintage marble pedestal to a rosehip oil she can’t live without.
Curated Collection: Handcrafted Jewelry
Few things captivate Pelin Cinar more than the quality and craftsmanship behind her jewelry. Speaking with Cinar about her intimate studio in Istanbul, she describes working alongside artisans who are third-generation jewelers, many of whom began their training as young as eight and are now all over the age of fifty. We went on to discuss the craftsmanship details that ensure jewelry longevity, from soldered jump rings to structural density and proper gram weight. She notes that durability ultimately comes down to how a piece is engineered to account for the natural softness of gold and silver. Many large commercial brands prioritize volume over longevity, leaving the shopper to act as their own inspector, looking closely for the markers of quality construction.
Below, she shares some of her favorite handcrafted pieces both for their beauty and longevity.
Read The Full Interview on Substack
Milk & Rose
$485
“I love this necklace for its kinetic energy—the graduating beads create a sense of movement around the neck, especially when layered with a longer version for a cascading effect.”
Milk & Rose
$280
“This was my very first earring design, and she is bold. We played with exaggerated proportions here; they are at least three times the length of a standard paperclip earring, nearly grazing the shoulder. It’s a definite statement piece.”
de Yudasto
$85
“I love this clear, fluid glass ring with natural opal stones encapsulated inside. Seeing the stones suspended through the clear body is mesmerizing.”
Milk & Rose
$285
“Our latest release, this ring reimagines a utilitarian belt motif but with a surrealist twist —the buckle appears to melt into the band. A friend who tested a prototype said he’s never received so many compliments on one piece.”
de Yudasto
$135
“These are beautiful statement earrings in a perfect tone of blue. They catch the light in a way only glass can.”
By Chavelli
$88
“These black Tube Squiggles Statement Earrings are so fun and vibrant, they will instantly elevate any outfit. The owner hand-makes everything herself.”
Milk & Rose
$245
“This ring has become a cult favorite and our best-selling handmade piece. We recently added birthstones, though the original pearl version remains the classic.”
Nyang’s Curious Goods
$110
“Handcrafted with natural topaz, I’m obsessed with this necklace. I love heart necklaces; the blue topaz is stunning, and it’s perfect for layering. I own several pieces, which says a lot for a designer specializing in sterling silver.”
Milk & Rose
$380
“I love our geo hoops for their convertible design. You can wear them fully assembled as a dramatic, double-link statement, or simply detach the bottom link for a sleek, minimalist single hoop that’s great for everyday.”
Milk & Rose
$329
“This ring embodies our studio culture. One of our team members, Carson, designed it simply because he wanted to wear it. We loved it so much we put it into production.”
de Yudasto
$85
“This ring features that same opal-in-glass technique as the other glass ring but in a dark gray, smoky glass. The way the dark transparency sits against the skin is stunning.”
By Chavelli
$55
“I love the geometric shape of these beaded earrings in brown. They go so well with a brown monochrome outfit or any look centered around earth tones.”
Milk & Rose
$295
“From the outside, this ring is a substantial, chunky dome which we actually sell mostly for pinky fingers as a modern ‘power ring.’ But the interior detail is finished with a complexity you have never seen on the inside of a ring.”
Style Profile
Cinar describes her style as being defined by a deliberate duality. On some days she gravitates toward oversized, monochromatic ease with baggy silhouettes in quiet neutrals. On others, she leans fully into vintage maximalism, embracing riotous colors and expressive patterns. The only constant between these two moods is her jewelry: she rarely leaves the house without a heavy rotation of silver.
Most Worn Brands
The brands that helped build the foundation of her wardrobe.
“I’ve been really drawn to RUVE lately. There’s a quiet confidence with a unique edge to their pieces; nothing overdone, everything intentional. The kind of brand you discover and immediately wonder how it wasn’t already in your wardrobe.”
“I love Miista for footwear because they manage to be incredibly cool while maintaining a super high quality of construction that’s handcrafted in Spain.”
“While not a brand, Grand Bazaar is my go-to for vintage finds. It’s one of those rare places where you can still stumble onto something truly one-of-a-kind. Every dealer there has their own eye, their own story; it never feels like shopping, it feels like hunting.”
Wardrobe Essentials
Wardrobe essentials she can’t live without.
NADAAM
$169
“My white cashmere scarf is a wardrobe staple. I wrap it into a makeshift balaclava, and it has become my signature winter armor.”
Scotch & Soda
$138
“I constantly throw on my boyfriend’s hoodie. I ‘borrowed’ it so long ago that he has forgotten it was his. It’s officially archived in my wardrobe now.”
Worth the Splurge
An investment piece that was worth the splurge, and an investment piece on her wishlist.
Acne Studios
$850
“I recently bought a sage green dress from Acne Studios. The fabric finish and construction are impeccable, it flows beautifully and I love the understated lace detail.”
Cordova
$1,870
“I am eyeing a Cordova ski suit. I want it not just for the slopes, but for surviving New York winters. There is something very chic about wearing high-performance alpine gear on the subway.”
Legacy & Heirlooms
The story behind her favorite piece she has inherited and a modern heirloom she hopes to pass on.
Michael Hoban
$$
“This Michael Hoban leather set I inherited from my mother features a butter cream cropped jacket and pencil skirt with gold hardware. This set has survived decades and is more relevant than ever. Vintage that doesn’t feel vintage.”
Milk & Rose
$245
“A modern heirloom I would pass down is the Milk & Rose Fluid Pearl ring. The pearl makes it timeless while the ring’s shape give it a modern twist that’s just enough to feel current without risking it going out of style in the future.”
Favorite Finds
When Pelin Cinar is off-duty, she’s hitting the slopes, exploring her second love for furniture design, and experimenting with fun accessories. From a marble pedestal to a Rain’s backpack and a rosehip oil she swears by, Cinar shares her favorite finds and what she’s currently loving.
Vintage Pedestal
$550
“I recently bought a massive marble pedestal that I’m using as a plinth for a lamp. Furniture design is my second great love after jewelry; I treat home objects with the same appreciation for form and material as I do my rings.”
Never Have I Ever
$22
“Completely random but I’m obsessed. Never Have I Ever makes reusable press-on nails with artist-designed prints that are genuinely so cute people ask if they’re real. Salon nails without the commitment or the cost.”
Uncommon Gems
Under-The-Radar Labels
The “if you know, you know” brands.
“I love this brand for its quality footwear that has a distinct, architectural edge. I especially love the modern shape of the Savant loafers.”
“I really like this brand for its Scandinavian-inspired clothing that prioritizes exceptional materials.”
“This is a small business in NYC that makes upcycled shirts from vintage tablecloths, very cool and sustainable.”
Uncommon Makers
“There are so many makers who inspire me. The list could go on, but these women are truly doing something unique in their fields.”
Jasmine Santiago
Founder, Vida Después – Plant-Dyed Clothing
“Jasmine Santiago of Vida Después creates beautiful plant-dyed clothing, using botanical dyes by hand to give new life to vintage garments using discarded flowers, herbs, and food scraps. Every piece is stunning and completely one of a kind.”
Ciara Perrone Cowell
Founder, Brinn Studios – Small Batch Handbags
“Ciara Perrone Cowell of Brinn Studios makes cool, edgy bags out of unique and sustainable materials derived from things like olive oil production waste. I love the asymmetrical exaggerated silhouette of her XL City bag.”
Gabriella Ottersberg Enriquez
Stylist & Broadway Performer
“Gabriella Ottersberg Enriquez is an incredible stylist with such a sharp eye for putting together outfits and helping people discover their authentic personal style. She’s also an extremely talented Broadway performer.”
Christine Yao
Founder, Simulacra – Sustainable Clothing
“Christine Yao of Simulacra creates beautiful, high-quality clothing essentials and is also a very talented painter.”
Angelica Yudasto
Founder, de Yudasto – Handcrafted Glass Jewelry
“Artist Angelica Yudasto of de Yudasto, makes beautiful glass jewelry which I featured in this curated collection.”
Andrea Valentini
Founder, Andrea Valentini Handbags
“I also love Andrea Valentini’s work who makes modern yet timeless handbags from plant-based leather.”
Chic & Unique
A unique piece she’s loving right now.
Vintage Lamp
$450
“The most unique thing I own is my space-age table lamp that looks like a spaceship. It’s a vintage piece from the ’60s in light pink and gray. I scored it on Facebook Marketplace – so many gems there! It’s a similar style to some table lamps designer Hans-Agne Jakobsson launched in the ’60s.”
Uncommon Destinations
Unique shops, under-the-radar restaurants, and travel destinations she finds inspiring.
SHOP
SUN PROPHET VINTAGE
“Sun Prophet Vintage in Dumbo, Brooklyn, has the best vintage finds. Other vintage shops I love are Sunset Boulevard Vintage and Hanzawa Market.”
DINE
KINGS CO IMPERIAL
“Kings Co Imperial has some of the best Chinese food. They have a location in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, and the Lower East Side, New York. They are known for their soup dumplings, crispy garlic chicken, and unique mock eel made from crispy battered shitake mushrooms.”
TRAVEL
DUSSELDORF
“I travel often, and it was the first time that I visited a city outside of NYC and thought, wait…I could live here!”
STAY
“I have to recommend this incredible Airbnb I stayed at with my mom in Shibuya, Tokyo. The building is called “Natural Eclipse” (designed by Masaki Endoh and Ikeda Masahiro). It features the most extraordinary, unconventional architecture, a fascinating layout, and is centrally located.”
The Little Things
Favorite Book:
Many Lives, Many Masters by Brian Weiss
Relaxation Ritual:
A daily steam room session.
Song on Repeat:
“Vida” by Mose
Words to Live By:
Don’t stress until it happens; otherwise, you go through it twice.
In Her Interview
Pelin Cinar discusses generational craftsmanship and the hallmarks of truly well-made jewelry.
Interview Highlights
The generational craftsmanship behind the jewelry at Milk & Rose.
The markers of quality craftsmanship in jewelry and what to look for to ensure longevity.
Her favorite handcrafted jewelry that will stand the test of time.
