What does design mean to you?
Good design is something you don’t have to think about, as it works flawlessly in your life.
I don’t feel design ends with a product, it is how you lead your life, how you interact with people and the choices you make. These design your life; hopefully how you want it be. I enjoy a beautifully made dress, sofa, or cushion: appreciating what I consider to be their great design; but I do see design as more than objects I can buy.
What inspires you?
My family. My son’s laugh and cuddles. I do love when a client is happy with my work.
I bought a Moldovan Kelim rug in Istanbul this weekend. As soon as I researched the style of carpet I wanted: made for a her dowry by a bride, I fell into an imagined thematic of the story of these rugs: how they seem like a meeting point between Balkan and Ottoman designs.
I could see a running storyline of these women and their lives, their expectations and their hopes.
I hope that they were well-paid for their rugs… I shall treasure mine. They are simply magical. That inspired me this week.
I then went to see my client, Zeynep Tosun, on the otherside of Istanbul, to discuss her show this upcoming London Fashion Week. I had an idea for the show, for some pieces to be designed, which I don’t think has been done before by a designer, in that context – often working as a stylist, my work is instinctive, which is really creative – it was such a buzz to discuss this idea, considering the marriage of artisan talent with good design.
I believe in some way, though this idea for my client Zeynep, is nothing to do with a kelim rug, the carpet I bought inspired me.
What would be your ideal collaboration?
I would love to work with brands on their collections. There are so many brands, which I think need refining, or redefining. A wish list client would be Chanel.
How do you think digital technology and social media affect the fashion industry?
Digital technology is such an intrinsic component of fashion: from the prints designers, such as Peter Pilotto, use on their clothes; to the cut and fit, that it really is vital to the business as it is now.
Social media is a part of life. People can be kept up to date on what you are doing: whether it is someone in the industry, or someone who is interested in what we do. It’s a great way to access an audience, discuss a point of view, to show a fashion film – and sometimes to have a rant!
Some blogs are brilliantly written or photographed; some are just heinous. There can be a lack of editorship filter in the blogosphere; which Suzy Menkes debated brilliantly in her column; but fashion is about trends and this is the latest.
What has been your biggest lesson whilst working within the fashion industry?
Good manners, which isn’t something I learnt in the industry, but something I try to apply on a daily basis to my working and non-working day, I would say is a big lesson. Never be rude to anyone. We are all working hard, under deadlines and stress.
In terms of fashion, I tend to know what I like very quickly what and what will work for a shoot.
I now have a system of editing, which I find works well for me, but I think for all stylists, it is trial and error and also being adaptable to a client, or situation, within a framework of discipline, keeps shoots on track.
How do you differentiate yourself from other fashion stylists?
I am quite good at layering?!
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