Zeynep Tosun also presented her Autumn/Winter 2012 collection at the House of Evolution show. The collection is full of colour, but used in a understanded way. On first sight, you are taken into Zeynep’s imagination, on second you see some really wearable pieces that we have fallen for, very quickly. We spoke briefly with the designer backstage to ask her about her inspirations and creative processes…
What is the main inspiration for the collection?
I always love to use iconic object in my collections in an edgy way, this time the idea came from my childhood. I used to spend most of my time in my grandmother’s house where there were 2 giant marble elephant sculptures, that’s why I love Richard Avedon’s Dovina photo with elephants. It helped me to describe the feeling of the powerful woman who I [wanted to] create. Also I opened a my own shop in Istanbul four months ago and because of that we were designing the interior with my close architect friend. I [was] amazed by so many textures at that time and thought how inspiring it was creating a place. So I united these and came up with an idea of creating a living space for that powerful woman. Huge elephant marble sculptures instead of doors, giant patent leather couches with hand-made details, silver metal grounds, 10 meters height white ceiling with big 3-d flowers. Long, long curtains outside the house which are attached to the inside with giant macramés, with a touch of an east styled house – so basically mixing everything that I like. If had the chance, I would design a place and make the woman as powerful as I could.
What is it you are trying to say with this collection?
It is my fourth collection [so] we can say, I’m trying to build up my brand’s woman and let people see what is it like to wear my designs, specially it is a feeling that I want to create. I always start with creating image of the woman, not with clothes, and I always create what I want to wear, what I’ll be wearing. My style reflects a powerful woman, courageous, unique and eclectic also. With this collection I hope that I have started to make people feel that.
We love all the shapes and patterns you use, when designing your pieces, which comes first the pattern design or the shape of the garment?
Both of them is really important, first I start with the volumes and shapes, but the volumes are not enough – it’s the pattern, details that makes them unique and desirable.
Where can you see your collection being stocked?
Well, it’s a long list. I love lots of cool department and concept stores, but I studied in a french school and used to go to Paris a lot, since then Colette is like my temple, also I’m in love with Opening Ceremony.
Images by Christopher Dadey
