CREATIVE CROSSROADS: DILARA FINDIKOGLU AND TURKISH CULTURE
INTRODUCTION
Dilara Findikoglu launched her eponymous brand in 2016, a year after graduating from Central Saint Martins. The London-based brand has quickly gained notoriety and respect for its intricate storytelling through heavily embellished garments and fashion show productions. Born and raised in Istanbul, surrounded by historical remnants of the Byzantine and Ottoman empires, Dilara Findikoglu weaves Turkish folkloric motifs and talismanic symbols throughout her collections. Findikoglu's Turkish heritage remains the beating heart of her designs, often pulling from shared experiences of women in the Middle East. This mysticism embedded in Turkish culture became the foundation for her enchanting yet dark aesthetic.
GIRLHOOD
A quintessential example of Findikoglu's rich cultural heritage is the Spring/Summer 2019 collection. Staged in an 18th-century Georgian house, the show featured several garments that served as a Turkish testament. A coin-embellished bodysuit inspired by her hometown, Istanbul, was worn by model Lily McMenamy. Traditionally used as a symbol of wealth and prosperity, these coins are reimagined with a modern garment. The collection featured hauntingly romantic tulle dresses that represented the tumultuous transition from girlhood and womanhood. Findikoglu explained how “the idea was to reference child marriages and people being pushed to get married, particularly girls in the Middle East.”
CULTURAL BLENDING
Situated between blended cultures and deep-rooted history, Istanbul is home to a diverse population. Inspired by her upbringing in this environment, Findikoglu channels this into her work by warping multiple time periods and cultures simultaneously. Victorian corsetry is paired with Turkish folklore, neatly trimmed and snipped into a modern silhouette that celebrates the body. Her Fall/Winter 2025 "Venus From Chaos" collection exemplified this by using historical corsetry and lace to tell a story of the divine feminine escaping control to return to Venus. Skin-tight leather gowns and delicate sheer tops were layered with ponderous metal embellishments.
ACTIVISM
Findikoglu uses her collections to "talk about the world's problems in a mystical way." In light of tragedy and political unrest, she has collaborated with World Human Relief, donating a percentage of profit towards ending childhood marriage. Her Fall/Winter 2023 "Not a Man's Territory" collection served as a cultural response to the tragic passing of Mahsa Amini in Iran and the decades-old history of policing women's bodies. Findikoglu dives into her spiritual archive of talismans, protective symbols, and folklore and pairs a contrasting punk aesthetic to modernize the female experience.
A TURKISH TESTAMENT
Dilara Findikoglu continues to use her Turkish background as a cultural driver for her namesake label, often incorporating traditional elements of her heritage to spark conversation regarding inequality and violence against women. Her mythical storytelling creates a universe through intricate show production, design, and philanthropic efforts to support the same women who inspire each collection.
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