GLOBAL YOUNG TALENT 2020: SEREN GAYGUSUZ | COMBINING BEAUTIFUL DELICACY OF TULLE DRESSES WITHIN MILITARY ACCENT THROUGHOUT HER DESIGNS

Seren Gaygusuz follows unconventional method of pattern-making in order to create stunning soft layered tulle pieces with masculine military, upcycled jackets. As part of our Global Young Talent in the November issue of Harper’s Bazaar UK, we had the pleasure of speaking to the womenswear designer highly inspired by her cultural background absorbing trends from both England and Turkey and deploying them in exciting, elegant new ways.

1. What excites you the most while designing your collection?

While designing my collection, I was most excited about revisiting my beloved home city of Istanbul in an entirely creative way by representing it in form of my six outfits. The colourful, Ottoman-era houses of Balat were on my mind as I came up with the colour scheme and the soft, feminine tulle I chose representing the delicate yet fierce women of that era. Being Turkish myself, it was important for me to pour my love and patriotic passion for my country and its rich history into my very first collection. Despite the difficult challenges I faced, I was determined to carry it through rightfully and portray Istanbul as it was and as it is - the capital of empires, a city full of timeless charm and beauty.

"The colourful, Ottoman-era houses of Balat were on my mind as I came up with the colour scheme and the soft, feminine tulle I chose representing the delicate yet fierce women of that era."

2. What external factors inspired your garment pieces ?

Inspiration approaches me at the very moment my chosen fabric is metres away from the mannequin, when I have the freedom of experimenting with draping because this is one of my key design processes. I travel frequently to my home country of Turkey and because of its many backgrounds and diverse topography, I find myself so motivated to keep creating. It’s unlike the city life I have in London.. You’ll be suddenly surrounded by beautiful mountains if you catch a one hour flight from Istanbul to another city. It continues to endlessly inspire.

3. You mentioned breath-taking views inspired your work, yet we can see references to your cultural background too, was this a conscious choice?

Reading this question brought a smile to my face as the answer would be YES! I love my country and my inspiration really stems from Turkey. My collection was inspired by a town in Istanbul - Balat and with a combination of Turkish ottoman history I was able to interpret the colours, shapes, textures from this on garments.

"My collection was inspired by a town in Istanbul - Balat and with a combination of Turkish ottoman history I was able to interpret the colours, shapes, textures from this on garments."

4. How would you describe your role as a fashion designer?

I don’t follow the conventional method of pattern-making as a fashion designer. I like to incorporate draping into my techniques and I like to see how my designs grow. I believe my role as a fashion designer will allow me to express my background and my life between two continents freely. I want to continue being creative and by doing so, I will absorb trends from both England and Turkey and deploy them in exciting, elegant new ways. As well as the two countries, I would like to branch out and explore other cultures too.

5. Was there any specific factor that affected the colour palette you have chosen for your collection?

The neighbourhood of Balat in Istanbul influenced the colour palette I had chosen. It’s one of the most spectacular districts of the city and I wanted to represent that in my dresses by choosing a spectrum of colours, mainly pastels. The colourful houses as well as the eclectic variety of mosques, synagogues and churches served as perhaps the main inspiration for my colour palette.

"I like to incorporate draping into my techniques and I like to see how my designs grow. I believe my role as a fashion designer will allow me to express my background and my life between two continents freely."

Discover Seren Gaygusuz's full collection

Words by Katarzyna Korcz