ZEYNEP AKGÜL

Ankara- We spoke to fashion designer Neslihan Kaplan Tunç about fashion, her story with the needle, yarn, and fabric, the fashion design industry, the prevalence and availability of organic products in Turkey.

-Who is Neslihan Kaplan Tunç? Could you tell us about yourselves?

I studied the fashion design teaching department at university and I am currently working as a fashion designer for one of the few export textile companies in Turkey. I am a working mother and have a two-year-old son and we have a small and warm farm named after him. I live fashion and village life together. I have a quiet life in nature while working in the fashion sector.

-How did you decide to be a fashion designer? Could you tell us your story in fashion?

I dreamed of being a fashion designer when I was a middle-school student. During that time, I watched fashion programs and designed clothes. I can say I have had an interest in fashion since my childhood. I studied textile and clothing at high school. Studying textile in high school was a preference for me because I already made my decision. My family respected my decision and their support allowed me to work as a fashion designer now.

“Street styles inspire me”

-How do you design the models? What are you inspired by?

The variety of models may vary according to the brand as we export. The product capacity, purchasing power, and store layout of the brand can affect the variety of models you design. I design the models according to the brand so the brand inspires me. The fashion shows and street styles around the world also inspire me.

“The Pandemic increases the interest in organic design”

-The interest in organic design and clothes increases with the pandemic and organic textile products are one of the most important topics in recent years. What is the situation of the prevalence and availability of organic products in Turkey?

Yes, the demand for organic products has increased a lot with the pandemic because resources are running out and the world is in a panic now. The companies have to take serious measures in production. The producing companies pay attention to using less energy and water for raw materials. Using less water or using different waste raw materials are among our priorities. Since I am a denim designer, I design products being washed.

Organic products or sustainable products have become the most important issue in recent years. Global warming and environmental pollution have a significant impact on them. Sustainable products become very important for brands well known around the world. I think their availability has increased in Turkey. It is predicted that the pandemic period will change a lot in fashion and textile production. In this period, environmentally friendly fabrics and recycled materials will enter the fashion more.

“The pandemic changes everything in our lives”

-As you mentioned before, it is predicted that the pandemic period will change a lot in fashion and textile production. What do you think about this?

The pandemic changes everything in our lives. We can define this period as a great awareness. The pandemic period may slow down the fast fashion trend. We cannot go shopping and buy many clothes due to the lockdowns.   

-What do you think about the interest in environmentally friendly clothing in the world? Is it just a trend or will it be a lifestyle in the future?

We can observe this situation in the upcoming days but this period will last a little longer, so people may have awareness of this issue. I think this will continue and the famous brands will offer environmentally friendly products to consumers.