Unik Apparel Feature: Asli Guler

Insight look into Fashion Designer Asli Guler.

How did you get into fashion? Tell me how and when everything started.

First it started with creating costumes for my Barbies—even sci-fi inspired ones made from pvc bathroom curtains. In high school I started customizing my t-shirts& jeans by ripping them, making appliques or making hand drawings on them.

When did you first know that you wanted to be in the fashion industry? I studied City and Regional planning in the university. While I was studying, I started was into creating garments for myself with my amateur sawing machine, knitting scarves, making knitted bags as well. My friends would love them and started to order similar ones. So I started to sell them in a small shop in Ankara. That’s when I started to think seriously that this is the job of my life and I should get a proper education to do that.

If you weren’t in the fashion industry, what would you like to be doing? Fashion was and is my dream job. But if I was not a fashion designer I would like to be an actress or a singer.

How would you describe your personal style? I should say ‘comfortable & joyous’. I am not afraid of color, new styles. I do like to dress according to my mood. I may dress in a crispy white shirt and pencil skirt in one day, orange & fuchsia frilled mini dress with a huge bow the next day. I think one must not take dressing too seriously.

Who are your favorite designers? Marc Jacobs is my favorite—especially ‘Marc By Marc Jacobs’ brand—the naive detailing, comfortable and wearable style and its youth driven look inspire me a lot. I am also a fan of Moschino’s ‘Cheap and Chic’ brand, and Anna Sui where there a lot of feminine an at the same time amusing details. I also like the past few collections of Eley Kishimoto—great use of color combination and brilliant prints.

If you had a choice of all designers in the world, who would you prefer to work for? Why? I must say Marc Jacobs. As I mentioned in the previous question I admire his effortless chic style. Also he shows his mastermind in Louis Vuitton collections, where he turned the old fashion house into an ever hip location where there are queques to shop.

Are there any special projects you would like to work on? I would like to open a shop in one of my favorite cities in Europe: London, Barcelona or Paris.

Also I would like to dress a celebrity for an award ceremony—Rhianna for example.

Which magazines do you read? Which magazine is your favorite? Vogue UK is my favorite. There is always good styling,most recent news,interesting interviews and good tips.When I am looking for more extravagant inspirations I look at Italian vogue. I also occasionally read ID and Dazed&confused.

What do you see in the stores that you think is really great? Inventive styling is very important in window displays. I really love what they do in Colette , Paris. Unpredictable combination, clashing colors,inspiring new looks can be found in the store.The pieces you may not think you could buy look so intriguing when presented with the right styling. In addition since it is a life style shop,you can also find the latest music CD’s, hippest books and magazines

What motivates you? New places I see,architectural details,sunshine,falling in love…

Future Plans…

My next step is making Aslı Güler an international brand.I started with the Spanish market, I started connecting a couple of showrooms.I will continue with UK market.

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