Centre Roundtable: Culture First. Who Shapes Who?

At the second Centre Roundtable, culture emerged as a loop, shaped by brands, communities, and the conversations that connect them. The evening showed how influence takes shape through shared attention and collective exchange.

by Anamaria Roa 

The second edition of The Roundtable Series unfolded inside ROKA Istanbul, in partnership with a team who knows how to build a setting that invites people in. The night gathered community builders, founders, and cultural shapers around a table where conversation and cuisine sat at the same level. The theme was simple on the surface yet full of tension. Culture First. Who Shapes Who?

The dinner took place on November 12, inside the robatayaki room next to the bar. Warm wood and soft light set the pace for the evening. The space slowed people down. Voices softened. Attention settled. It created the conditions for conversation to unfold without urgency.

The question moved through the room before it was spoken. Culture first, or brands. Who shapes who. In a moment where both move quickly, influence is difficult to trace. Meanings shift as culture and branding respond to one another, often at the same time.

As the evening progressed, guests shared perspectives shaped by design, hospitality, branding, and creative leadership. Different fields, similar instincts.

They spoke about how ideas begin, how they gain momentum, and how they change once brands engage with them. A shared understanding surfaced early. Culture does not move in a straight line. It loops, reverses, and expands. Communities often spark what comes first. Brands sometimes give it space to grow. At times, both move together, shaping what becomes common ground.

Meanwhile, the dishes arrived in a steady rhythm, warm and precise. They held the room together without drawing attention away from the conversation. Yellowtail sashimi with yuzu truffle, spicy tuna and avocado maki, popcorn prawn tempura, king crab and black cod gyoza. Later, seabream with caramelized miso, Korean spiced lamb cutlets, and a yuzu cream baked potato that seemed to anchor the entire table. The food carried the same tone as the discussion. Simple, focused, and quietly expressive.

As the night deepened, another common observation formed. The strongest brands today do not try to dominate culture. They participate in it. They listen to the voices that shape meaning. They leave space for interpretation. They allow communities to add their own stories, their own values, their own sense of belonging. Influence becomes shared rather than claimed.
By the end of the night, no one attempted to define who shapes whom. The question remained open. It felt right for it to stay that way. Culture changes every day. Brands change alongside it. Their relationship is fluid, shifting, and alive.

The Roundtable closed with a sense of curiosity and possibility that lingered in the air long after the plates were cleared. It reminded us that culture is not something we stand outside of. It is something we create together, through conversation, through shared spaces, through the small decisions we make as individuals and communities.

These gatherings will continue, bringing new voices and new questions to the table. One conversation at a time.

Thank you to everyone who joined us, shared their perspectives, and helped shape the evening. To our partners, collaborators, and guests, your presence and generosity made the conversation what it was.

Until next time, stay curious.