The biggest change has to happen in the fast fashion industry. For a more sustainable world, I think it is essential to adopt a fashion approach that uses resources more carefully and respects the nature.
Do your designs contribute to your architectural experience from the past as much as the fashion designer? Could you briefly tell us little bit about yourself?
The architecture education I have received contributes greatly to my professional life. The detailed solutions I bring to the problems and see events and the design process as a whole are the biggest proof of this. I studied architecture at ITU Architecture Department and after four years of professional architecture, I went after the lion that was in my heart and attended the summer university at Parsons School of Design in Paris. After reaching the final of the Young Fashion Designers Competition (now known as KOZA) organized by ITKIB, I switched to the sector. In 2009, I founded my own signature brand and prepared predominantly male collections.
What would you like to say about the style, source of inspiration and reflections of your designs and collections in general?
I like to do works in global vision, inspired by local values. It is my main mission to introduce our values to the whole world through design. I’m very inspired by architecture and local artists. The works created by the values of these lands such as Sedat Hakkı Eldem, İlhan Koman, Yurdaer Altıntaş have been my inspirations until today.
We are going through a period where the world is changing rapidly due to the impact of the Covid19 pandemic. What do you think is changing in the fashion world and what is it time to change?
The biggest change has to happen in the fast fashion industry. For a more sustainable world, I think it is essential to adopt a fashion approach that uses resources more carefully and respects the nature.
What is the place of digital in your work at a time when digitalization is embracing fashion? How do you position yourself in the digital world from your designs to e-commerce?
For nearly a year, I have been bringing my products to my consumers at www.niyazierdogan.com.tr. Online shopping is one of the biggest necessities in the digital world.
In addition, I also have studies on making the design process more sustainable. I presented my Spring / Summer 2021 collection in MBFWI, designed and produced in a completely digital environment.
Could you tell us about your latest collection on MBFWI, which was organized online? Could you also tell us about your works for 2021?
The inspiration for our Spring/Summer 2021 collection is, formerly known as Tatavla
region, where Şişli, Kurtuluş, Feriköy and Bomonti are located. The collection, which is shaped in the pandemic process, is inspired by the relationship we have established with our close circle at a time when we are all returning to the center. Tatavla’s apartments, ceramics, colors, music, flavors, in short, its culture is our main starting point. The production process of my collection is ongoing and will be available online in the new season.
What would you like to say about the power of Turkish textiles and Turkish Fashion to identify trends in the world and to create products and designs that are suitable for new trends?
As an export-trained designer, I still provide design consultancy to many manufacturers. My main job in these companies is to establish and manage the design department, and to do R&D in line with new trends. I have prepared collections for many world brands such as Zara, Esprit, Levis and Tommy Hilfiger. The main reason why they choose us as a country is that they can find new products suitable for trends and quickly buy them in their stores.
For the world, 2020 has been a year of uncertainties and turbulence, what are your expectations and goals from 2021?
It’s been a long time since I learned not to make long-term plans and to act with the power that the flow of life gives me. Let 2021 come as it knows, our job is to live!