Born in Istanbul and now based in London, Dilara Findikoglu has built a world that fuses her Turkish heritage with occult symbolism, rebellious London youth culture, and punk rock influences. Today, her name is synonymous with subversion, artistry, and a brand of dark romanticism that feels both historical and new. 

Early Life: A Turkish Imagination Meets Global Influence

Growing up in Istanbul, Findikoglu was surrounded by the city’s layered history. Byzantine, Ottoman, and modern all colliding in the same streets. That complexity, combined with a sense of mysticism embedded in Turkish culture, became an early foundation for her aesthetic vocabulary. Her work later weaves together folkloric motifs, talismanic symbols, and a rebellious spirit that pushes against tradition.

Central Saint Martins: Rebellion Takes Shape

Findikoglu’s official entry into the fashion world began at Central Saint Martins, the legendary incubator for boundary-pushing designers. Even there, she refused to accept the rules.
When she wasn’t selected for the school’s graduate show, she didn’t stay quiet. Instead, she staged a guerrilla catwalk with fellow students. This DIY, punk-charged protest caught the attention of the press and the industry. It was a defining moment: young designers announcing, loudly and publicly, that she would not be sidelined. During her time at CSM, she honed her skills under two powerfully different design worlds: she worked with Mary Katrantzou and Jeremy Scott. 

Interning at Maison Margiela: Learning From the Master of Deconstruction

Before launching her own label, Findikoglu interned at Maison Margiela under John Galliano. Galliano’s flamboyant yet precise approach to narrative design deeply influenced her emerging practice. From Margiela, she gained an appreciation for deconstruction, historical layering, and the transformative power of clothing as storytelling. This experience became a subtle backbone in her later work.

Launching the Dilara Findikoglu Label

In 2016, she founded her eponymous label. From the beginning, her collections embraced themes of witchcraft, rebellion, empowerment, and female rage. Religious iconography, corsetry, Victorian silhouettes, and sharp tailoring became recurring signatures, filtered through a distinctly modern lens. Rather than designing for trends, Findikoglu builds characters —complex women who are equal parts warrior, romantic, and provocateur. Her world is cinematic, ritualistic, and intensely personal.

Cultural Impact: Dressing the New Generation of Icons

Findikoglu’s work resonates deeply with artists who gravitate toward self-reinvention and narrative dressing. Her designs have been worn by stars like Madonna, FKA Twigs, Bella Hadid, Rosalía, Grimes, and Margot Robbie. These moments cemented her place as a cult-favorite couturier for the avant garde. Her approach also resonates with a new generation of fashion consumers hungry for authenticity and ritual — those who see clothing not simply as garments, but as portals.

A Vision Rooted in Rebellion

If there is one through line in Dilara Findikoglu’s career, it’s refusal. Refusal to be quiet, to be ignored, or to be simplified. Whether orchestrating guerrilla fashion shows or reviving centuries-old craft techniques, she designs with a sense of urgency and electric defiance. Her story isn’t just about a designer who broke the rules. It’s about someone who wrote new ones, stitched from history, magic, and rebellion.