Can you tell us a little about yourself, when did you start
designing, where did you learn your craft?
I graduated with distinction from The University of the Arts in
London, London College of Fashion and University of Dumlupinar,
Turkey in 2005. My debut catwalk show was as a finalist in
the fashion competition ‘Young Designers’ which took place in
Istanbul with awards allocated by the Community of Fashion. After
completing my studies I worked from January 2005, beginning just
before their A/W 05-06 collection had been completed, until the A/W
06-07 collection for a show at London Fashion Week for top
designers. My responsibilities ranged from design assistant and
consultant to trade show assistant at London Fashion Week and
assisting during all fashion week shows (dressing, supervising and
so on). After working for the leading fashion houses, my passion
for fashion grew, leading me into creating my own label.
When did you introduce your own label?
I introduced my first A/W 09 collection to London Fashion Week,
named, 'Silent Moon', the catwalk show was in Farringdon.
These shows were followed by my S/S09 and S/S10 collections. After
the first show I had my first stockists in USA, Australia, Canada
and Dubai.
What kind of person do you create clothing
for?
During my career I have always liked strong women who are in
control of themselves and have their own style. I don’t
particularly like to create clothes for women who just wear
anything or follow trends. I always loved seeing my outfits on
women whose style I admire.
Who is your ideal clotheshorse?
I would say Mary Kate Olsen or Elizabeth Taylor. It is because I
have always loved the combination of ethnics and naturalness
coupled with echoes of past romanticism. In fashion we always look
back at history. We cherish and re-invent old treasures, going back
to the times of Napoleon and Josephine, la belle Époque, Marie
Antoinette. There is lots of romanticism and on the other hand,
there are the exotic cultural expressions of Eastern countries with
their beautiful jewellery and embroidery, their colourful ethnicity
and graphic decorations. I think that is what I see in Mary Kate
Olsen and Elizabeth Taylor.
What drew you to clothes and fashion?
Since my childhood I loved drawing and, still, my early drawings
are the inspiration for my adult collections. There are many
different stories from life: I remember my collection of lacework,
known as “oya” (a kind of embroidery) made by my mother. I suppose
that is how I have become a fashion designer; through my mom. I
have always wanted to do something positive, looking to a brighter
future. I go back to the memories of my childhood which have
had a bearing on the brightness and optimism of my collections.
I have always loved clothing because the way we dress is a
sign of who we are and how we wish to act in the world. It is vital
that we get this language right. Fashion experts are saying that a
more modest look is in, it is such a different feeling but it is
still very sexy, pretty and feminine. It is a little covered up; it
is kind of like a sexy take on a librarian.
Where do you draw your inspiration from?
I find much of my inspiration while I am on holiday in my home
town, I suppose that I reveal the fashion inside me due to the
place where I was born.
What is your favourite book?
“The Museum of Innocence” by Orhan Pamuk
What one item in your wardrobe could you not live
without?
I love wearing second hand clothes because I believe that they all
have their own story, left by their previous owners: maybe
happiness, maybe sadness. During my childhood I used to wear my
elder brother's clothes. There is one white jumper of his which is
full of memories. It is maybe around 20 years old, I think. I
couldn't live without it.
Who are your favourite designers?
I delight in contrasts. Whether that is a mix of strong and
romantic femininity, print with plain, or dark with light: all
agree with my design philosophy, which is highly detailed. That's
why I believe that Ossie Clark was the one who was best for
inspiring my own particular style.
What do you think of current fashion trends?
I do not understand what happened to individuality and originality.
What's the appeal in going out and seeing that every 1 out of 2
people has the same type of shoes, skirt, dress, hair, sunglasses
etc. I love dressing up but I have a unique fashion sense and
although I get complimented a lot, I find that I don't even like
when I see that someone is copying another one’s looks. Anyways, I
just find it disturbing when I look around and feel surrounded by
an army of clones all wearing the same things.
What makes you happy?
I do not know but I must be missing my childhood. I find myself
spending time in my hometown and living amongst the memories that I
know will make me quite happy. My friends always say that I am
quite a romantic person and with that comes an appreciation of my
own history and of the good things I have experienced.
You say you like to travel, would you describe yourself as
a avid traveller?
I find much of my inspiration while I am on holiday, that's why I
try to travel a lot; I always believe that you get much of
your experience when you are travelling. One can never learn
enough in fashion because the world changes so quickly. I am very
open to different cultures and add the knowledge I gain to my total
fashion experience.
What is your favourite fruit? And why?
My favourite fruit is the cherry. I think this is because I have a
fertile imagination and am often involved in many creative
pursuits. I find, though, that expressing my feelings is not very
easy. One’s home is one’s haven and I love nothing more than being
surrounded by close family.
Growing up, what music and films were you obsessed
with?
I have always loved black and white nostalgia in music and films. I
was obsessed with “West Side Soul” by Magic Sam, The Beatles,
Johnny Cash; “Sunset Boulevard” (Billy Wilder, 1950) with Gloria
Swanson and William Holden. My favourite genre of movie is the
musical and one of my absolute favourites is “Moulin Rouge” (Baz
Luhrmann, 2001). It’s a film full of inspiration.
How have your designs evolved over time?
I have gone through phases. As I have learned more in fashion, my
interests are in how to combine photography, illustration, visual
art and eastern elements into a coherent visual language. My
aesthetic is still a work in progress. I decided to develop a
collective studio. Having worked at large design studio and having
run my own business, the key to good work is talented people. With
Athletics, I have pooled my wide range of skillsets to do both
personal and client projects. The studio functions much like a
small-sized company. I am fortunate enough to have really great
environment that can bring both projects and talent to the studio
environment.
Do you see yourself expanding globally and venturing into
new markets?
All the time! I would love to express my signature by setting up
other bases around the world. With the world changing so quickly,
these are so many developments and we have high hopes for the
future. In fashion we are constantly looking for a new balance,
using history as our inspiration. The fashion world is over-flooded
with imitators with imitation products, some of which enter the
market before even the originals, giving more and more market power
to only a few players. It is time for a moment of digression, a
fashion pause which allows for real innovation, going deeper into
fashion to find a more contemplative vision as opposed to churning
out quick trends and cults. It is vital that we get this language
right. That's why every designer would want to have their own
showrooms around the world to connect to more fashion lovers.
What are you looking most forward to this
year?
I'm looking forward to a couple things. I'm really excited to see
what designers will put out for the next London Fashion Week. As
the products of Ossie Clark have recently been so far from
gorgeous, and I'm anxious to see the direction in which they take
the line and the game overall. I'm also really looking forward to
seeing what the final production will look like in 3D for my
upcoming project. I'm really curious as to what else might come out
for the line from our drawings. And finally, I'm most excited about
having the chance to experiment in Russia as I will be travelling
there for my research.
Garden Of Angels
Osman Ozdemir showing his S/S 09 collection called Garden Of
Angels
Osman Ozdemir delights in contrasts whether that is a mix of
strong/romantic feminine print and plain fabrics or dark with
light,
combine with his design philosophy of ‘natural uses of detail’, he
synchronizes decorative materials with every Osman Ozdemir
Collection.
Designer approaches the blank jersey of their faces with silk
chiffon, embroideries in colour and form, layering and pleating of
his fabrics creates clever volumes on areas of the female form that
contrast with and bring attention to the women. Emphasising innate
individuality and his hands-on creative process.
His distinctive prints, the empire line, are a feature throughout
the collections. Much more flattering then bras cutting, which does
nothing.
Light of my life
Osman Ozdemir introduces hand painted ,high quality silver
manipulated CINI; piece of earthenware decorated with opaque
colored glazes and motifs on buttons, garments and decorative
accessorizes and highly inspirational prints from the modern
Kütahya; the Cotiaeum of the Romans, is located in what was
anciently known as Phrygia; famous for its legendary King Midas,
the last of the Phrygian kings who lived to regret his wish that
all he touch be turned to gold. The cinis and motifs from Kutahya
are reflected in dark blue, red, turquoise and beige interrupted by
cotton velvet, cotton canvas, silk georgette, silk satin and blocks
of silver.
Designer approaches the blank canvas of their own faces with colour
and form. Cini merges delicate beautiful ribbed cotton fabrics
lined in ultra soft silk printed and batik painted with cini
designs. The layering, pleating of his fabrics creates clever
volumes on areas of the female form that contrast with and bring
attention to the legs. Emphasising innate individuality and his
hands-on creative process itself, beautifully abstract cini-print
design prints abudantly wrapped dresses in silk satin. Garment
construction incorporates manipulation of handcrafted accessorizes
with heavy and light fabrics and knitwear. Knitwear is handcrafted
from the combination of satin and cotton.
Osman Ozdemir presents a collection inspired by the early
history of AIZONAI, thought to date back to the 3rd millennium B.C.
The architectural details on the coppers and outfits show us that
they had their most affluent period around the 2nd century
A.D.
Huge public places grew on adjacent agora buildings and stone
bridges and an architectural foundation very similar to that of the
rich Roman towns of the western Coastlands. Aizonai is also known
as the first stock exchange in the world.
The architectural details and the warriors’ clothing details
of ZEUS are reflected in brown, green and gold tones of copper,
interrupted by blocks of leathers and coppers. The S/S09 summer's
stylish picnic requires a romantic yet elegantly theatrical dress
code.
His hands-on creative process itself produces silk dresses
with drawstring neck and ribbon sash, pleated cotton and silk tulle
halter neck dress with jersey lining, cotton dresses, blouses,
skirts and trousers with leather trims.
Coppers merge with delicate silk tattered cotton in creatively
juxtaposed, dip-dyed silk tulle dresses with leather and
copper.
studio@osmanozdemir.com
www.osmanozdemir.com